Funafuti, Tuvalu – February 2025

The USP-CLI Right to Information (RTI) Competition concluded in Tuvalu with a grand awards ceremony, celebrating the dedication and creativity of participants who showcased their innovative ideas on transparency, good governance and access to information.

The event, held at USP Tuvalu Campus, marked the final phase of the RTI project, which has been supported by the Canadian Government through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The project aimed to empower youth, women and journalists by encouraging creative expressions on RTI issues through various digital and artistic formats.

The third and final trip of the RTI Tuvalu team, which took place from February 10–13, 2025, focused on the final judging process and awards distribution.

The team engaged with students, women’s groups and the media, ensuring that all participants received guidance on their submissions.

Key activities included:

Tutorials and Community Engagement: The team met with 80 students from Fetuvalu Secondary School, providing last-minute coaching on submission formats and storytelling techniques. A special session was also held with Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation (TVBC) journalists, emphasising how RTI plays a crucial role in investigative reporting.

Submission Collection and Judging: A diverse range of submissions, including videos, posters, songs, essays and short stories, were received and assessed by a panel of expert judges from USP Tuvalu, the National Women’s Council and the education sector.

Women and Youth Outreach: The team conducted a special session with women’s organisations and youth groups, encouraging them to use digital and artistic tools to express their views on RTI.

Awards Ceremony 

The end of the competition was the much-anticipated awards ceremony, where the top five winners were recognised for their outstanding submissions. Chief Guest Mr. Tovia Faalo Tovia, Acting Chief Education Officer, commended the participants for their contributions, highlighting how RTI strengthens democracy and fosters good governance.

The winners of the competition included:

🏆 1st Place: Lilia Taomia and Grace Malie – Short Story
🥈 2nd Place: Faau Simati and Solosolo Esela – Act/Video
🥉 3rd Place: Faith Sia Elisala – Poster
🎖️ 4th Place: Lilia Taomia and Grace Malie – Video Submission
🎖️ 5th Place: Naomi Kaupoe – Poster

All participants received certificates of appreciation, with special recognition given to those who used creative storytelling, music and digital media to promote transparency.

The RTI in Tuvalu initiative has successfully inspired young people, women and media professionals to advocate for transparency and accountability.