Regional Literary Competition for Climate Fiction: “Homo Climaticum - Balkan: 2026.”

The publication of the Homo Climaticum collection marked a precedent in the themes of Croatian literary competitions and the beginning of the exploration of the climate fiction genre in Croatia. The first edition from 2017 was translated into English, followed by a 2018 edition, as well as a special student edition in 2021. A large number of authors responded to the competitions, ranging from professional writers to speculative fiction enthusiasts, and we have received over 200 poems and short stories about a future shaped by climate change so far.

The 2026 edition will be regional, with a focus on the Western Balkans, as the immediate neighbors of the wider Mediterranean area, which is the most pronounced hotspot of Europe. Indeed, anyone in the Balkans today, unlike a couple of decades ago, can notice climate change concretely in their daily lives, even without scientific data or ideas about extreme weather cataclysms. Summers are endless, air conditioning is essential, and standing on the scorching asphalt at noon is unbearable. Long periods pass without rain, only for sudden downpours to flood streets and sewers. News of wildfires becomes a daily occurrence during the season, mosquitoes besiege us in late autumn, and younger generations experience the joys of snow less and less.

The theme of this competition gains importance over time, which is why we want to continue spreading awareness of this burning global problem through literary forms. Therefore, we invite you once again to share with us and the entire region through a short story or poem: What will climate change mean for you personally? How will it change what we eat, where we live, how we work, who we protect, and how we organize ourselves? How will it affect others who live in different systems and latitudes? How will the world accept this change, as a fragmented geopolitical space or as a whole? Through isolation or solidarity? 

That, and much more, we want to hear from you! Let your imagination run wild and share your visions of the future with your neighbors from the Balkans!

Competition Rules and Terms

With this call, we primarily encourage people aged 18 to 30 to submit their work because we are interested in the visions of younger people, but anyone who wants to write is welcome to submit their work.

• Accepted formats: Previously unpublished short stories (up to 7 standard pages of text) and short poetic forms (poetry - slam, in verse, prose, epigrams, etc., up to 1 standard page of text).

• Length unit: 1 standard page = 1,800 characters including spaces.

• Alphabet: Due to the regional nature of the competition, submissions must be written in the Latin alphabet.

• Submission limit: An author may submit only one work—one story or one short poetic form.

• Topic: The background of the plot must be climate change or its impact, while the theme and approach are left to the discretion of the authors. Any real or potential political, social, cultural, and technological implications of climate change can be the subject. However, it should be noted that the concept should be grounded in contemporary climate change science.

• Eligibility: The competition is open exclusively to individuals residing in the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia (due to specific project limitations).

• Language: Only works in Croatian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, or Serbian are accepted.

• Formatting: Works must be typed and saved in .doc, .docx, or PDF format (Times New Roman, font size 12, 1.5 line spacing, justified).

• Usage rights: Zelena akcija reserves the right to use the selected materials even after the competition ends.

Deadline: The competition is open from February 9 to March 6, 2026, at 23:59.

Submission Details:

Submissions should be sent via email to info@zelena-akcija.hr with the subject: "Prijava za natječaj Homo Climaticum - [First and Last Name]".

In the email, please include:

• First and last name, Year of birth, E-mail, Phone number, Address

Optional: You may attach a brief author's comment – for example, how the story was created or another impression you want to share.

Each work will be assigned an internal code and forwarded in an anonymous form to a three-member jury.

Awards

The best stories and short poetic forms submitted from Croatia will be selected by an expert jury and included in the printed and online climate fiction collection "Homo Climaticum, Balkan 2026". The collection will be free for online distribution and translated into English.

From the Croatian shortlist, one story will be selected as the best and will win a net cash prize of 250 euros.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact dora@zelena-akcija.hr.

The competition is organized as part of the STORY project, the objectives of which are to prepare young people for:

-A better understanding of climate justice through non-formal education.
-Devising solutions to problems (with a focus on local community solutions, zero waste systems, advocacy methods, civic participation, and art).
-Sharing ideas with others through the art of creative writing and climate fiction.

The two main outcomes of the project are the climate fiction collection "Homo Climaticum 2026" and the educational manual "Stories for Change" on how to use art and storytelling for social change, intended for youth organizations and anyone working with young people.

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The competition is funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.