Green energy communication contest for youth launched

Targetting youth aged 18-25, the WATT'S UP contest encourages creative communication ideas on clean energy and sustainable development.

On July 15, the Sustainable Energy Transition Youth Communication Competition (WATT'S UP) was officially launched. The competition is part of the EU-Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Project (EVSET), under the broader EU-Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP), funded by the European Union .

With the message "Let's Talk Energy," WATT'S UP aims to make complex energy concepts more accessible by turning them into relatable and easy-to-understand stories told from the perspective of young people. The competition seeks to identify and support youth-led creative communication initiatives that raise public awareness of clean energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and climate change response.

The competition is open to teams whose members are between 18 and 25 years old and currently residing in Viet Nam. Participants are encouraged to develop and implement communication initiatives focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, climate change solutions, and efforts to dispel common misconceptions about renewable energy.

The application deadline is August 16, 2026. Selected teams will receive mentorship from experts in the energy and communications sectors, as well as support to implement their campaigns across digital platforms.

Following the proposal evaluation round, up to five teams will advance to the implementation phase. The campaign results will be presented at the closing ceremony, scheduled to take place in Ha Noi in December 2026. Winning teams will receive prizes of up to USD 1.140.

According to the organizers, achieving the energy transition and Viet Nam's net-zero emissions target by 2050 requires more than policies and technology. It also depends on the active participation of communities, particularly young people. Through the competition, youth are encouraged to become pioneers in communicating sustainable energy practices, raising public awareness, and inspiring action on sustainable energy use and climate change.

To support participants, the organizers will host an online information session on July 28 to answer questions and provide guidance on preparing competition proposals.

Teams interested in participating can find more information about the information session and the competition at: https://setp.vn/vi/cuoc-thi-watts-up.

About the SETP

EU and Viet Nam are working together to advance the country's green and inclusive transition. Through the EU-Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP), backed by a EUR 142 milliongrant, EU is supporting Viet Nam's efforts to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Phuong Linh