16 September 2024
Launch of the 2nd edition of the Varuna photo contest : join us in highlighting Indian Ocean Biodiversity!
As part of the Varuna program, funded by the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by Expertise France, we are pleased to announce this Monday, September 16, 2024, the launch of the second edition of the Varuna Photo Competition.
This competition is aimed at agents and managers of protected areas in the south-west Indian Ocean, a region known as one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots.
The aim of this initiative is to promote the region’s exceptional natural wealth, while involving those active in the preservation of these protected areas. The competition is an opportunity to highlight the diversity of the region’s ecosystems, from endemic species to the unique landscapes that characterize its various territories.
A theme to promote local biodiversity
The theme chosen for this 2024 edition is « colorful biodiversity ». Participants are invited to capture images that bear witness to the beauty and diversity of local ecosystems, whether through the fauna, flora or characteristic landscapes of their protected areas.
A competition open to a specific public
This competition is exclusively reserved for agents and managers of terrestrial and marine protected areas, in all categories defined by the IUCN, and based in the following countries: Madagascar, Comoros Union, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mayotte and La Réunion. It aims at strengthening the commitment of conservation professionals by enabling them to share their unique vision of biodiversity and the territories they protect.
A jury of experts to reward the best shots
A jury, made up of biodiversity specialists, scientists and professional photographers, will meet to evaluate the photos according to precise criteria, such as respect of the theme, originality, creativity and technical quality of the images. The competition is also a great opportunity for photographers to gain recognition in the region and beyond.
Prizes for the winners
Winners will be awarded prizes, as follows :
– 1st prize: a camera worth €1,300, a pair of night-vision binoculars and a subscription to Gecko magazine.
– 2ᵉ prize: a smartphone worth €1000 and a subscription to Gecko magazine.
– 3ᵉ prize: a pair of night-vision binoculars and a subscription to Gecko magazine.
The winning images will be published in the popular science magazine Gecko, dedicated to the region’s biodiversity.
Register now!
Registrations are open until November 1, 2024. To enter, candidates must submit their photos via the online form, accompanied by a certificate of employment proving their status as a protected area agent or manager.
For further information, please contact the Varuna program team in Antananarivo:
📧 By email: contact@varuna-biodiversite.org
📱 On WhatsApp: +261 (0)32 35 613 74
The full competition rules are available here: REGLEMENT CONCOURS PHOTO VARUNA Edition 2024_Vf
