The working group „European Children and Young Cavers “(ECYC) proudly announces the 1st EuroSpeleo Youth Contest, which will take place during the EuroSpeleo Forum 2025. This year we turn the spotlight for the first time on the children and young cavers all over Europe – we turn the spotlight on you! Don’t miss it and be part of the EuroSpeleo Youth Contest.

Caves and Karst phenomena are as multifaceted and unique as the people exploring them. What could be the motivation to explore the underground until its farmost ends, to discover a rough world inside our planet lacking light and warmth and try to reveal the last secrets of our nature in order explore and protect its wild beauty? 

We want to take a deep dive into your story and what fascinates you. If you are a young caver up to 20 years, this is your chance to show your talents! At this year’s EuroSpeleo Youth Contest we can’t wait to see your speleo photos and cave mapping skills! Submit your photos or cave maps until 30th September 2025 to youthcontest@tetide.org

All submissions to the EuroSpeleo Youth Contest will be evaluated by a professional jury with longtime experiences in caving and the specific category. In addition, the participants of the EuroSpeleo Forum 2025 will also have the chance to vote for their favourite photo or cave map in the contest for the Audience Award.

The winner receive an official certificate during the award ceremony at the EuroSpeleo Forum and will be presented with an own story in the 1^st issue of the new EuroSpeleo Youthletter after the forum.

More information at https://www.tetide.org/progetti/visioni-sotterranee/.

• Competition runs from 1st June 2025 to 30th September 2025
• All submissions of the contest will presented on the ECYC website
• The Contest is open to all member countries of the FSE, participants are allowed aged up to 20 and under on the closing date of the competition.
• Participants can enter up to three images or cave maps or any artistic work.
• Judges will select a shortlist of up to 10 works and cave maps
• Shortlist compete for the EuroSpeleo Youth Contest and for the Audience Award
• The winner receive an official certificate during the award ceremony at the EuroSpeleo Forum and will be presented with an own story in the EuroSpeleo Youthletter.
• Deadline for entries is 30th September 2025

Sub-themes for Young Cavers:

• My First Cave
• Protect the Water
• Cave Animals I Love
• Drawing a Cave Map
• What Lives in the Dark?
• Caves from My Imagination

The ECYC is looking for more members for the working group. The results of our online questionaire clearly showed that there is big room for improvement for activities for children and young cavers in Europe. This is a great motivation for our work. We already have lots of ideas for projects and activities. Today’s children and young people are the adults of tomorrow who possibly continue your explorations and help to protect caves and karst also in the future. Discovering the world through their eyes also helps us adults to rediscover the known with a new exciting perspective.

If you are also interested to put the children in your spotlight, get in touch with us at youngcavers@eurospeleo.eu