Maldives Post Invites Young Writers to National Letter-Writing Competition 2026

Maldives Post Limited invites young writers to take part in the National Letter Writing Competition 2026, with the national winner’s entry set to represent the Maldives at the 55th International Letter-Writing Competition organised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The UPU’s annual competition brings together participants from 192 member countries, with each country selecting one national winner to advance to the international stage and compete for prestigious awards. The competition aims to promote literacy and the art of letter writing, encouraging young people to think creatively, express their ideas clearly, and strengthen their language skills.

This year, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNESCO, the competition asks young writers to reflect on the theme: “Why Human Connection Matters.” Participants are invited to write a letter to a friend about why human connection is important in a digital world.

In a gazetted notice, Maldives Post said they will award the top three entries with prizes of MVR 2,000 for first place, MVR 1,000 for second, and MVR 500 for third.

Competition Details:

• Age group: 9–15 years (as of 22 February 2026)
• Theme: Why Human Connection Matters. Write a letter to a friend about why human connection matters in a digital world.
• Letter requirements: Must be in English, follow the structure of a letter, adhere strictly to the theme, and not exceed 800 words. Illustrations may be included.

Entries will be evaluated based on four main criteria. The structure of the letter will account for 10% of the score, while adherence to the theme will carry 30%. Creativity and use of language will each contribute 30% to the overall evaluation.

According to the organisation, participants must submit their letter along with a cover letter containing their full name, email address, postal address, age and date of birth, word count, and consent for the use of any photos submitted to the UPU.

The deadline for submissions is 5 April 2026 at 3:00 pm (GMT+5). Entries should be sent to marketing@maldivespost.com.

For further guidance, participants can refer to the official participant guide or contact Maldives Post at the email address above. The company encourages all young writers to share their creativity and insights through this global platform.