Call for Submissions: IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages
UNESCO and IBBY are joining efforts to raise awareness among the young generations on the importance of linguistic diversity.
As the lead UN agency coordinating the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032 (IDIL 2022-2032), UNESCO—working closely with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)—is committed to addressing the critical state of many Indigenous languages. This initiative aims to mobilize stakeholders and resources to support their preservation, revitalization and promotion.
In this context, UNESCO and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a global non-profit dedicated to fostering international understanding through children’s literature, are creating the IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages. This collection will showcase outstanding books written in Indigenous and endangered languages, ensuring recognition and accessibility for young readers worldwide.
The IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages will be officially presented at the IBBY 40th World Congress in Ottawa, Canada, on 6–9 August 2026 with an accompanying catalogue.
Who can participate?
The IBBY-UNESCO Collection invites publishers, librarians and institutions (public and private) engaged in promoting books and reading, to submit exceptional works for young readers in Indigenous and endangered languages.
Submission
The nomination must be submitted digitally to IBBY and UNESCO by email at ibby-unesco.collection@ibby.org between 1 April to 15 December 2025.
Visit their website for details on the submission and selection process: