Pulitzer Center Announces Local Letters for Global Change Contest 2026

The Pulitzer Center has announced the Local Letters for Global Change Contest 2026, a unique opportunity for K-12 students to express their voices on global issues affecting their local communities.

The contest encourages students to write a letter to a local elected representative, explaining the global issue they want them to prioritize, and proposing a solution. This contest aims to promote global citizenship, civic action, and persuasive writing among students.

**Eligibility and Prizes**

The contest is open to all current K-12 students across the globe. Letters may be written in English and/or Spanish. The Pulitzer Center will select one first place winner and up to four finalists for each issue category.

The prizes for the winners are as follows:

| Category | First Place | Finalists | | --- | --- | --- | | | $300 to support global community engagement in your classroom (prize distributed to your class teacher) | $75 to support global community engagement in your classroom (prize distributed to your class teacher) | | | Publication of your letter, photo, and bio on the Pulitzer Center website | Publication of your letter, photo, and bio on the Pulitzer Center website |

All entrants will be invited to participate in a Pulitzer Center town hall event, held virtually in November, to share their solutions with other students from around the world.

**Application Process**

To participate in the contest, students need to follow these steps:

1. Choose a story from the Suggested Stories tab above that gives them new information about an issue that matters to them. 2. Write a one-page letter to a local decisionmaker that answers the following questions: - What issue do you want the local decisionmaker to address? - Why is this issue important globally? - Why is this issue important to your local community, and/or to you personally? - Why are you writing to this person? What power and/or responsibility do they have? - What do you want this person to do? Offer a solution, and cite evidence that your solution will be effective. 3. Submit the letter using the contest entry form, which will request some basic personal and contact information, the name and contact information for one of your teachers, and the letter itself.

**Deadline and Resources**

The deadline for the contest is November 1, 2026. For more information and resources, students can visit the Pulitzer Center Local Letters for Global Change Contest website.

The Pulitzer Center aims to provide a platform for students to express their voices on global issues and to promote civic action and global citizenship. By participating in this contest, students can practice persuasive writing and explore the underreported issues that matter to them.