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Photography for Wetland Conservation: Kerkini Wetlands Photo Award 2026

Connecting photography, wetland biodiversity and conservation

The Kerkini Wetlands Photo Award 2026 is an international photography competition dedicated to the biodiversity, wildlife and natural heritage of Lake Kerkini in northern Greece. Through photography, the award seeks to celebrate wetland ecosystems, highlight the relationship between people and wetlands, and raise awareness of their ecological importance, the need for their conservation, and their wise use.

Organised by Agkistro Drasi, a Social Cooperative Enterprise based in the Kerkini area, the competition welcomes photographic stories that explore the richness of wetland life and the relationship between people and nature.
The competition features four categories:
• Birds of Kerkini
• Wildlife of the Wetland
• Wetland Landscape
• Human & Wetland

About MedWet

The Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) is a regional network established in 1991 that brings together Mediterranean countries, institutions and organisations to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands across the region, within the framework of the Convention on Wetlands. Through regional cooperation and awareness-raising, MedWet works to strengthen efforts to safeguard Mediterranean wetlands for nature and people.

Photography and Wetland Conservation

The Award’s focus on wetland biodiversity, the relationship between people and wetlands, and public awareness reflects the broader objectives of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention), which promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Through photography, the Award seeks to help communicate the value of these ecosystems and the importance of protecting them for both nature and people.

MedWet recognises the potential of the Award to raise awareness of wetland conservation and wise use. It has agreed to work with the organisers to promote the competition across the Mediterranean region, sharing news and updates through its communication channels and helping the initiative reach a wider audience.

The open call for the 2026 edition runs from 20 September to 20 November 2026. The winners are expected to be announced in connection with World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2027.

Looking ahead, the organisers aim to develop the Award into an annual international initiative that brings photography and wetland conservation closer together and encourages connections between communities committed to protecting these vital ecosystems.

More information
Kerkini Wetlands Photo Award
https://kerkiniphotoawards.com
Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet)
https://medwet.org/

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CATEGORIES

Explore the four competition categories and discover the different ways photographers can interpret the unique ecosystem of Lake Kerkini.

EXPLORE ALL CATEGORIES

Birds of Kerkini

Lake Kerkini is internationally renowned for its remarkable birdlife. From iconic Dalmatian Pelicans to herons, eagles and hundreds of migratory species, this category celebrates the diversity, beauty and behaviour of birds in one of Europe’s most important wetland ecosystems.
DISCOVER "Birds of Kerkini"

Wildlife of the Wetland

Beyond its birds, Lake Kerkini is home to a rich variety of wildlife. This category highlights mammals, reptiles, amphibians and every wild species that contributes to the ecological richness of the National Park.
DISCOVER "Wildlife of the Wetland"

Wetland Landscape

Light, water, mist and changing seasons continuously reshape Lake Kerkini. This category focuses on the landscapes, atmosphere and natural beauty of the wetland throughout the year.
DISCOVER "Wetland Landscape"

Human & Wetland

Lake Kerkini is also shaped by the people who have lived alongside it for generations. This category explores the relationship between local communities and the wetland through tradition, work and everyday life.
DISCOVER "Human & Wetland"

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers from around the world. Participants must be the sole copyright holders of all submitted photographs.

Yes. Photographs captured with any camera, including smartphones, are eligible, provided they meet the competition’s technical, ethical and quality requirements. Entries will be judged solely on their artistic and technical merit, regardless of the equipment used.

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Photographers aged 18–25 are automatically eligible for the Young Photographer of the Year Award.

The competition celebrates the exceptional biodiversity, landscapes and cultural heritage of Lake Kerkini National Park, one of Europe’s most important wetland ecosystems. Its mission is to promote conservation through photography and create an international visual archive of this unique protected area.

Each participant may submit up to 10 photographs in total, distributed across one or more competition categories.

Photographs may be submitted to one or more of the following categories:

  • Birds of Kerkini
  • Wildlife of the Wetland
  • Wetland Landscape
  • Human & Wetland

All submitted photographs must have been taken within Lake Kerkini National Park and its surrounding wetland ecosystem in Northern Greece.

Yes. There is no restriction on when a photograph was taken, provided it complies with all competition rules.

No. Each photograph may only be entered into one category.

Yes, unless otherwise specified in the Terms & Conditions.

Photographs must be submitted as JPEG files. Shortlisted photographers may later be required to provide full-resolution JPEG files and RAW files for verification.

Yes. You may edit your submission until the submission deadline.

Standard post-processing, including exposure, contrast, colour balance, sharpening and cropping, is permitted. Images must accurately represent the original scene. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for the complete editing policy.

No. Images generated entirely or partially using artificial intelligence are not eligible. The competition accepts only authentic photographs created by the entrant

Entries are evaluated by an international jury based on artistic quality, originality, technical excellence, storytelling, relevance to the selected category and ethical standards.

Shortlisted photographers will be announced in January 2027. Winners will be announced during the official Awards Ceremony on World Wetlands Day (2 February 2027).

Shortlisted photographers may be asked to provide high-resolution JPEG files, RAW files and additional information to verify the authenticity of their entries before the final judging.

Selected shortlisted and awarded photographs may be included in the official exhibition and promoted through the competition’s exhibitions, publications, website and communication channels.

Yes. Photographers always retain full copyright of their images. By entering the competition, participants grant the organizer limited rights to use submitted photographs exclusively for purposes related to the competition, always with full photographer credit.

Absolutely. The Kerkini Photo Awards is an annual international photography competition, and photographers are welcome to participate in future editions.