International Poetry Contest for Students - Never Such Innocence

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to live someone else’s life?

This year, the Never Such Innocence poetry competition invites young people aged 9-18 to share powerful stories through poetry. The 2025/26 theme is "In Someone Else’s Shoes" — a chance to explore how others might feel during war, conflict, or difficult situations.

You could write about a refugee, a parent waiting for news, a soldier, a nurse, a protester, or someone affected by conflict in your own community. Whoever you choose — walk in their shoes and help the world see from their perspective.

✍️ Poetry Competition Details:

• Theme: In Someone Else’s Shoes

• Ages: 9 to 18 (four age categories)

• Deadline: 27 February 2026

• Free to enter!

• Only one poem per person. But you can also submit artwork or a song!

✏️ Your poem:

• Must have a title

• Must fit on one page of A4 paper (typed in size 12 font or clearly handwritten)

• Can be in any language (If not in English, send a voice recording too)

• Must be your own original work — no AI poems allowed

To keep judging fair, only put the poem title on the page — no names!

Use your voice to help others understand, care, and imagine. Your words have the power to build empathy around the world.

🕊️ Your story could be the one that moves someone to tears or sparks understanding across borders.

Related Contests

Click here for more Latest Contests

Read More

Monomousmi Creative Writing Olympiad

Entries are invited for  Monomousmi Creative Writing Olympiad

Eligibility:

Any writer irrespective of age, Profession, Gender, Nationality

Age limit: There is no age limit

Language: English, Hindi or Bangla

Registration Fee:

No Registration Fee

Nationality: Any nationality

Categories:

There are two categories:

Category-I: Essay, Story, Short story, Script, Letter, Debate, Spiritual contents etc. 

Category-II: Poem

Level I:

There is no theme, no fixed topics in level I. Participants are free to participate with their best creative writings. In this case you need not follow any particular topic as in the case of the essay contest where the topic is fixed by us. You can choose your own theme, where you are the expert. Here is the opportunity to show your writing skill in any form.

Duration: 15th July to 30th November 2024

Result declaration date- 30th November 2024

Submission Mode: Online submission with pre-written article/poem/story/essay etc. The submission should be done through this link Monomousumi (weavermag.com)

Prizes in Level I

First 35 winners will receive certificate signed by Chetan Bhagat (through post)

Total 100 prizes (5 Trophies, 10 Gold, 10 Silver, 10 Bronze medals and 65 other prizes in the form of books)

All other participants will receive e-Certificate

Guidelines:

Participants can submit their entries in the form of essay, story, short story, script, Poem etc. or anything creative. There is no theme, no fixed topics.

The minimum word count for Category I (Story, essay etc.) is 500 words

There is no word limit for Category-II (Poem)

The articles submitted by the participants will be published and the link will be shared. Based on the popularity of the article, participants will be rewarded suitably (ADDITIONAL SURPIZE PRIZES). So, participants are encouraged to share their published article as much as possible.

Multiple submissions are allowed.

Co-authorship is allowed. Prize will be fixed and need to share. Certificate will be provided to all.

No plagiarism, no copy is allowed.

You have to participate through this link Monomousumi (weavermag.com)

The result will be notified through website, social media and email and can be checked through this link https://weavermag.com/essay-contest/public/writing-result

Who (only those) does not have access of computer/laptop, they can send handwritten entries through email.

The decision of JURY is final. No communication will be entertained, but be assured that the judgement will be unbiased with respect to any criteria.

The copyright of the article will remain with the author. Selected contents will be published in the website with the name, photo and bio of the participants without the need of prior permission.

The articles/poems will be published in Monomousumi.com/Weaver magazine Website.

You can mail for an queries at  essay.monomousumi@gmail.com.

35 winners will receive certificate signed by Chetan Bhagat and the Trophy/Medal will be delivered at the postal addresses of winners.

Get new posts by email:

Powered by

Read More

Children's World Magazine - Your Pages Contest

A competition by Children's World Magazine for the exclusive Your Pages.  Children's World is the monthly magazine by Children's Book Trust which was founded by Shankar in 1957. The magazine encourages creative talent in children and provides a training ground for upcoming writers enthusiastic to enter the field of children’s literature.

Your Pages Competition is a National competition which is organized by Children’s World every year to make the Children’s Day special November issue. The first Your Pages Competition was conducted in 1989. The prizewinning entries are published in the November issue of the magazine

Read More

Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2024

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2024 is now open for entries! 11 – 17 year olds can submit at foyleyoungpoets.org for free by 31 July.

The competition is open to anyone aged 11-17. The deadline to enter your poem/s is midnight BST 31 July 2024. Entries must be written in English, but you can include phrases in your mother tongue or another language. 

Read More

CBSE EXPRESSION SERIES for the Session 2023-24

The 1st Expression Series for the session 2023-24 will be based on the theme ‘Skill Development in India: From Local to Global’ on the following topics:

Primary (Class 3 to 5): Paragraph (150 words) / Painting. Topic- A famous Indian personality who achieved success through his/her skills or Skills a child needs to excel.

Middle (Class 6 to 8): Essay (400 words)/ Painting / Poem. Topic- According to me, the best example of Kabaad se Jugaad is…. or Local skill of my district which I can promote.

Secondary (Class 9 to 10): Essay (700 words) / Painting / Poem. Topic- Emerging industries and required skills or Role of Education in Skill Development.

Senior Secondary (Class 11 to 12): Essay (1000 words) / Painting / Poem. Topic- Globalization and need for globally-relevant skills or Skill development for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Read More

StoryMirror #52 Week Writing Challenge - 2022 (Edition 5)

Writing is intimidating. There is this expectation of artful precision, mercurial grammatical rules, and the weird angst that comes with writing for other people. You start with a very small nugget of an idea, but as you try to string it into language, it feels more like you are pulling out your own intestines.

StoryMirror invites you all to be a part of the fifth season of 52 Week Writing Challenge - 2022 (Edition 5). This competition will take your writing skills to the next level and strengthen your creative endurance.

Read More

StoryMirror - #52 Week Writing Challenge - Edition 6

2023 has approached and the beginning of the new year is obviously a ripe time to set goals and resolutions. StoryMirror would like to challenge you to commit to writing on a weekly basis and to offer the support of a community of fellow writers committing to do the same.

StoryMirror invites you all to be a part of the sixth season of 52 Week Writing Challenge - 2023 (Edition 6). Competing in this competition will push your writing skills to new heights and give you a boost in your creative endurance.

Read More

VIBHA Monthly Contest

VIBHACONTEST – 2022-23  ( INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL DAY CONTEST )

( INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL DAY CONTEST )

THEME : (TOPIC) VEHICLE – CAR & OPEN THEME

THEME : (SPECIAL TOPIC) KOZUKKATAI MAKING ( ANY )

THEME : (TOPIC) VINAYAGAR CHATHURTHI 

Read More

Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

Welcome to the 19th annual Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $8,000 in prizes.

Submission period: April 15-September 30, 2022.

Read More

INDIA AS I SEE POETRY, ESSAY, PAINTING CONTESTS

India As I See contest is organized every year to ignite students' passion where they can freely express themselves. It’s an exciting essay writing, poetry, painting, and drawing competition for school students to unlock their creativity and ideas. With numerous awards up for grabs, you can participate in different categories to showcase your skills.

Read More

Wingword Poetry Prize

Wingword Poetry Contest

Win cash prizes and national recognition for your poetry. Prizes upto Rs 7,00,000 will be awarded to aspiring poets from all around India.  Wingword Poetry Competition is looking for those persons who have a unique style of expression and an unexplored perspective to offer to the world. Wingword accept poems on a variety of themes such as love, heartbreak, family, childhood, society, nature and history. It’s your imagination; let it run wild!

Read More

NAGRIKA WRITING CONTEST 2022 - ESSAY, STORY, POEM CONTEST

Ever imagined how your city would be different if you ran it? 

This year’s writing contest seeks to inspire you to think about ways in which youth can change the cities they live in. 

Here is the prompt.

How differently would your city function if it were to be run by youth?

Read More

Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize

The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize, created in 2007 to recognize outstanding young poets, is open to high school sophomores and juniors. The contest is named in honor of Patricia Grodd in recognition of her generous support of the Kenyon Review and its programs, as well as her passionate commitment to education and deep love for poetry.

The poems of the winner and two runners-up will be published in the Kenyon Review. In addition, they will receive a scholarships to attend the Young Writers Workshop in the summer.

Every year, submissions for the prize are accepted electronically from November 1 through November 30. 

Read More

Express for Humanity Artistic tribute to José Martí - Painting, Poetry, Prose and other creative expressions

The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in India and the Eight Goals One Foundation are organising an artistic tribute to José Martí, a national hero of the Republic of Cuba, on the 127th anniversary of his fall in combat. It would give us great pleasure to invite students from your institution to become a part of this tribute.

Eligibility

Students of all ages

Read More

CBSE EXPRESSION SERIES on ‘National War Memorial’

As part of the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), CBSE announces the fourth Expression Series for the academic session 2021-22. The theme of the Expression Series is ‘National War Memorial’.

Read More

LIT-O-MANIA 2022 A Literary Interschool Competition

S M Shetty International School and Jr College. Our very own literature festival: LIT-O-MANIA - Edition 4 is back, albeit on a virtual platform. The theme for this year is HOPE...HELP...HEAL. Since the pandemic, students, across the world, have faced several life-changing experiences and have not ventured outside home for a major part of the year. We, thus, intend to use this extraordinary situation to infuse Hope, extend Help and attempt to Heal through the very interesting, fun-filled and creative competitions that we have curated for this year.

Read More

Open Poetry Writing Competition on Green and Clean Energy

Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India, is committed to make oil conservation & energy conservation a National Movement. As a part of its mandate, PCRA aims at organizing an ‘Open Poetry Writing Competition’, through MyGov Portal. The theme of the competition is 'Green and Clean Energy'.. Participants are required to send their entries on MyGov portal.

Last date for submission is 14th February, 2022.

Read More

The Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize 2022

The Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize 2022 - APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN.

 The winner will receive a £3,000 cash prize and will be invited to our symposium. 

Runners up will be invited to attend the symposium and travel expenses will be reimbursed up to a total of £500. All food and accommodation will be covered. 

Read More

Weather & Climate Poem Competition

India Meteorological Department; established in 1875, is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal Government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. The Department is building a weather-ready nation, managing all aspects of weather and climate monitoring, forecasting & warning and continuously rendering one of the most fundamental and widely used services to the nation through many diversified activities.

To commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence and as a part of the ongoing ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’, the India Meteorological Department is conducting an open Poem/ Song Competition through MyGov Portal with an aim to raise awareness about various aspects of Weather & Climate Sciences and to explore the creative instinct of the masses.

Read More

PAW2021 -ARTWORK / ESSAY WRITING/ POETRY CONTESTS

AWBP Trust is organising PAW2021: an open competition – under three categories ARTWORK / ESSAY WRITING/ POETRY for students

Topic-

Chose any one topic in the below list :

1) Adopt street animals from the community

2) Veganism and its benefits to the humans, animals and environment

3) Be kind to Animals

4) Animals belong in the wild, not in cages

5) Human developments are destroying animal habitats

6) Traditions should teach and spread compassion towards animals

7) Conduct alternative experiments but not on animals

8) Importance of animal compassion in human lives

Read More