9-18-year-olds are invited to submit to the 2021/2022 Never Such Innocence competition, which has the theme ‘Life After Conflict’. Closing date: 18 March 2022. There are four categories – Art, Poetry, Speech and Song – and you may enter once in each category. Full info here.
Young people’s poetry
Young People’s free comp
The East Riding Festival of Words poetry competition is free to enter for young people age 4-16. The theme is: My Reasons to be Cheerful. Deadline is 11.59pm UK time on Saturday 27 November 2021. Full info here.
Young Muslim Writers Awards
These Awards are open to young writers aged 5 to 16. Submit one short story or up to three poems by 31 July 2016. Entrants must live in the UK. Full details:here
Betjeman Poetry Prize
This year’s Prize is on the theme of ‘Home’. It’s open to poets aged 10 to 13 who live in the UK or Ireland. Entry closes midnight on 31 July 2016. Full details: http://www.betjemanpoetryprize.co.uk/
Young Poets Network Resource Site
Supported by Arts Council England and the Poetry Society, among others, this is a great place to visit if you’re a young poet: http://www.youngpoetsnetwork.org.uk/
Visit the site for advice on submitting your work, for explanations about terminology, for listings of poetry-related opportunities, and even for the chance to have your poem/s published on the site.
Ledbury Poetry Festival 2015 Poetry Competition
Another one from the Poetry Library website. It looks like this is not only for UK-based poets (but please do check!). It’s free for children and young people (first poem only, then a small fee – see below) – ages 11 and under, and 12 to 17. Closing Date: 09-Jul-15. All adult submissions have a fee.
Categories: 17 and Under/ 11 and under. Judge: Deryn Rees-Jones. Theme: Any. Prizes: Young People: 12-17: First Prize: £100, Second Prize: £50, Third Prize : £25. Children: (11 and under): First Prize: £25 book token, Second Prize: £15 book token, Third Prize: £10 book token. All winners get a chance to read at the Ledbury Poetry Festival in 2015.
First poem free to enter for children and young people than £1.50 for each additional poem.
Contact: For entry and more information see website:http://www.poetry-festival.co.uk/ledbury-poetry-competition/