The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), in partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, has officially opened the call for entries for the 2025 SEAMEO-Japan Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Award.

Since 2012, the award has recognized outstanding ESD initiatives in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools across Southeast Asia. It highlights the crucial role of education in promoting sustainable development and community engagement.

For 2025, the theme focuses on disaster preparedness: “Fostering Schools and Surrounding Communities' Resilience through the Revitalisation of Local Wisdom in Disaster Risk Reduction.”

Organizers are looking for school programs that integrate local knowledge and cultural practices into disaster risk education — an approach that strengthens not just school readiness, but also the resilience of surrounding communities.

The first prize-winning school will receive a week-long educational trip to Japan along with prize money. Additional cash prizes will be awarded to runner-up entries that demonstrate excellence in applying the theme.

Interested schools may visit SEAMEO's official website or check out SEAMEO's Facebook page for guidelines and submission details.