In celebration of International Volunteer Year 2026, the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) invites photographers across Asia to submit entries for 'Ten Photos to Shake the World', spotlighting local volunteers driving community change.
In celebration of the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026, the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is inviting amateur and professional photographers across Asia to submit their work for the Ten Photos to Shake the World (TPSW 2026) for a chance to win cash prizes and showcase their advocacies.
As a pan-Asian non-profit committed to sustainable development across the region, ASSIST centers TPSW 2026 on the theme “Volunteers in Frame: Capturing the Spirit of Volunteerism and Social Impact.” The competition spotlights the transformative role local volunteers play in driving civic action and social change – an effort ASSIST is proud to align with the spirit of IVY 2026.
The Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), Toily Kurbanov, says about TPSW 2026: "Too often, volunteers are the people behind the scenes. In the spirit of the International Volunteer Year, this competition puts them in the frame and highlights the role they play in building stronger communities."
First launched in 2011, TPSW was created to elevate diverse themes of social responsibility through photography. Following a brief hiatus after 2022, the competition makes its high-profile return in 2026 with a renewed focus on local volunteerism. The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers across the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, inviting visual storytellers to capture the unsung efforts driving local progress.
“Volunteerism is love put to action,” says Francis Macatulad, representing ASSIST. Beyond being a noble ideal, volunteerism serves as a crucial driving force behind ASSIST’s social development and community transformation projects across Asia. “Volunteers are the hearts, hands and voices of an organization's social development program---unpaid and often unsung heroes. With TPSW, ASSIST Asia hopes to celebrate their passion and recognize their invaluable contribution to nation-building,” he adds.
ASSIST Rep also encourages photographers to participate and amplify grassroots volunteer efforts through photography and storytelling.
Participants are invited to submit original photographs that illustrate local volunteer efforts, with top entries competing for cash prizes, international recognition, and features across organizational platforms.
Submit your entries now and have an opportunity to win awards and cash prizes!
Submission of entries is extended until November 20, 2026.
For mechanics and questions, visit the TPSW official Facebook page.
About Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST)
ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is a self-sustaining pan-Asian NGO working at the intersection of social impact and sustainable transformation. True to its role as a Partner for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to deliver co-created initiatives as well as award-winning flagship programs that convert social investments into lasting local capacity. Explore our work and partner with us: www.assistasia.org
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