Kalu Institute Humanitarian Photo Contest 2025

Tell a story through your lens

Theme: Humanitarian Response
Format: Photo
Open from: July 21st to September 5th, 2025 (23:59 Madrid time)

Prizes

Three prizes will be awarded:

50% of each prize will be donated to a local humanitarian NGOs chosen by the participant, and the remaining 50% will be awarded directly to the participant.

Who Can Participate?

This contest is open to:

How to Participate

1. Register and upload your videos at: https://photo.kaluinstitute.org
2. You may submit as many photos as you like.
3. A curated selection of photos will be uploaded by Kalu Institute to Facebook and Instagram under the hashtag: #kaluphoto2025
4. Once uploaded, you can share your photos on your own social media and invite your community to vote.

The winners will be chosen through a three-step voting process:

Photo Requirements

To ensure the quality and usability of submitted images, all entries must meet the following minimum standards:

1. Minimum resolution:

• At least 4,000 pixels on the longest side (approx. 12 megapixels).

2. File format:

• JPG or JPEG (high quality).
• Over-compressed or low-quality files will not be accepted

3. File size:

• Recommended between 1 MB and 10 MB.
• Avoid extremely heavy or very small files (under 500 KB).

4. Editing and filters:

• Basic adjustments (light, contrast, color, cropping) are allowed.
• No photomontages, text overlays, or heavy filters that alter the original scene.

5. Composition and focus:

• Images must be well-focused and properly composed.
• Good use of light and framing will be valued.

6. Watermarks or logos:

• Not allowed under any circumstances.

Photo Guidelines

Photo Usage Terms

By submitting their photos, participants authorize Kalu Institute to use the submitted images for communication, outreach, educational, and promotional purposes — including commercial uses directly aligned with the organization’s educational and humanitarian mission.

This authorization includes, but is not limited to, use on:

• Websites and social media platforms, printed and digital publications, online advertisements and campaigns, educational materials and training content, public presentations, reports, and exhibitions

Participants grant Kalu Institute a free, worldwide, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, publish, adapt, and distribute the photos in any format or medium. Minor edits (e.g. resizing, cropping, translation of captions) may be made to suit layout and communication needs, always in a respectful and ethical manner, with proper credit given to the author.
By participating, the entrant confirms that:

• They are the original creator of the submitted photo(s)
• They hold all necessary rights to authorize its use as described
• No third-party rights are being infringed

This license is granted without expectation of compensation beyond participation in the contest and potential awards.

Consent Checkbox for Online Registration Form

☑ I have read and accept the Photo Usage Terms. I confirm that I am the original creator of the submitted photo(s) and grant Kalu Institute permission to use them as described above.
(This box must be checked to submit your entry)

Prize Collection and communications

• Winners will be contacted within one month after the contest ends.
• Each winner must specify which local humanitarian NGO should receive the 50% donation. If no organization is chosen, Kalu Institute will select one.

The selected NGO must:

• Comply with humanitarian principles
• Be based in a country not classified as a high-income economy
• Provide a brief explanation of how the funds will be used

Winners must respond within 30 days of being contacted. If no response is received, the prize may be reassigned or forfeited.

Kalu Institute reserves the right to reject any proposed organization if it does not meet the outlined standards.