The African Union (AU) has launched a competition inviting young African creatives to design the official visual identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027. Open to citizens aged 18 to 24 from AU Member States, this initiative provides an opportunity for young designers, artists, students, and digital creatives to showcase their work, which will be utilized by the African Union throughout the year 2027.
Application Deadline:
23 October 2026 (11:59 PM EAT / UTC+3)
Tell Me About The Opportunity:
The African Union (AU) Theme of the Year 2027 Continental Logo and Visual Identity Competition is an open creative contest designed to find an official visual representation for the AU’s 2027 institutional agenda. The 2027 theme marks the AU’s 25th anniversary and focuses on leveraging the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and emerging technologies to drive continental integration, open skies, and innovative growth.
Which Fields are Eligible?
Graphic design, visual arts, digital creativity, multimedia illustration, branding, and creative innovation.
Type:
Continental Creative Design Competition / Grant & Prize Award
Who can Apply?
- Nationality: Citizens of any official African Union Member State.
- Age Limit: Must be 18 to 24 years old on or before the submission deadline.
- Profile: Open to individual students, designers, artists, digital creators, and innovators (no formal educational qualification required).
- Submission Format: Individual entries only; joint or team submissions are strictly prohibited (one entry per applicant).
How are Applicants Selected?
Submissions are judged against strict evaluation metrics:
- Relevance to the full 2027 AU Theme (25%)
- Alignment with AU values, Agenda 2063, and Pan-African identity (20%)
- Creativity, originality, and visual impact (20%)
- Simplicity, clarity, and recognisability (15%)
- Adaptability and technical execution (10%)
- Accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and multilingual usability (5%)
- Quality of the concept note (5%)
Which Countries Are Eligible?
All member nations of the African Union.
Where will the Award/Event be Taken?
Continental level / African Union platforms (winning designer invited to participate in the AU Summit).
How Many Awards?
Top 3 places awarded cash prizes, alongside recognition and training opportunities.
What is the Benefit of the Award?
- First Place: USD $5,000 + Certificate + Training opportunities + Invitation to the AU Summit for the official unveiling.
- Second Place: USD $2,000 + Certificate + Training opportunities.
- Third Place: USD $1,000 + Certificate + Training opportunities.
- Continental rollout of the selected visual identity across all official AU platforms throughout 2027.
How Long Will the Award Last?
One-off competition cycle; the winning visual identity will feature prominently throughout the 2027 calendar year.
How to Apply:
- Prepare the Complete Submission Package:
- Visual Assets: Presentation PDF containing primary logo (with/without campaign title), colour version, black-and-white version, reversed version, basic colour palette, typography direction, and 3 mock-ups (digital card, event backdrop, publication cover). Note: Remove your name, signature, and handle from the presentation file.
- Logo Preview: High-resolution PNG or JPEG (minimum width of 3,000 pixels).
- Concept Note: Maximum 500 words explaining symbolism, color choices, and connection to the 2027 theme.
- Documentation: Proof of nationality and age, completed application form, and a signed originality, intellectual-property, and anti-generative-AI declaration (generative AI tools are strictly prohibited).
- Submit Online: Complete the registration and upload your entry package through the official African Union portal before 23 October 2026.
