Topical Talk

The competition

The competition is now closed.
Winners announced: December 8th 2025

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ROLEX. The Economist Educational Foundation maintained full editorial control.

The Leadership for Change Prize offers students the chance to submit their own media-literacy projects as part of a global competition. Three winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges to receive funding and mentorship to turn their projects into a reality. Meet last year’s winners.

How to take part

  1. Teach the six Leadership for Change curriculum lessons to develop students' leadership and media-literacy skills
  2. Use lessons five and six to help students prepare and pitch their own media-literacy project
  3. After completing all six lessons, submit your students' projects via the competition entry form

What the winners receive

  • Up to £1,000 funding for your school to deliver the chosen project
  • Three mentorship video calls from an experienced leader between January and June 2026
  • The publication of the winning project on the Topical Talk website
  • An award for each winning student

Ready to enter the competition?

We can't wait to receive your Projects for Change!

Submit your entries

Important entry information

Deadline extended: the competition is open for submissions until November 24th 2025. Before submitting entries to the Leadership for Change Prize, teachers should have taught the Leadership for Change curriculum.

Entries must:

  • Be submitted in English
  • Be submitted by teachers on behalf of their students. Entries submitted by students will not be considered
  • Be in written, audio or video format
  • Not exceed 650 words or four minutes in length
  • Be submitted by teachers on behalf of groups of 2-3 students. One entry per group is permitted
  • Be anonymised and must not contain identifying information

Teachers must also accept the Competition Rules.

What happens next?

Once entries have been submitted via the entry form, you will receive a confirmation email.

You will be notified by email if any of your students’ submissions have made the shortlist by 12:00 (GMT) on November 25th. Should your class be shortlisted, you must be available for a short vetting interview between November 25th and November 27th (exact date and time organised at your convenience).

Winners will be announced on December 8th 2025.