Entries Now Open for the 17th Kao International Environment Painting Contest for Children

Entries for the 17th Kao International Environment Painting Contest for Children are now open as of June 1, 2026. This year’s theme, “Let’s work together for our sustainable Earth!”, invites children to create artworks expressing their thoughts on protecting the precious global environment and what they can do to contribute to a better future.

Since its launch in 2010, the contest has been held based on Kao’s purpose, “To realize a Kirei World in which all life lives in harmony.” It aims to inspire people around the world to think about environmental issues through children’s paintings. To date, the contest has received more than 190,000 entries from children in nearly 100 countries and regions. Exhibitions of award-winning works are held both in Japan and overseas, with the hope that the children’s heartfelt expressions about the Earth’s environment and future will inspire people worldwide to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

For this contest, Kao donates 50 yen for each submitted artwork to environmental conservation activities selected by participants at the time of entry. These donations support three areas: (1) wildlife protection, (2) greening forest conservation, and (3) Marine litter and waste leakage prevention measures – helping to turn children’s thoughts expressed in their artwork into meaningful action.

The prizewinners of the 17th contest will be announced on the Kao website in December 2026.