Leonardo 4 Children Awards 2025

Following the success of the previous six editions in 2019-2024 with 3,250 children and young people participating to the Awards and more than 8,500 participants in over 30 workshops and concerts, the Carano 4 Children foundation and its partners are pleased to launch the 7th edition of the  “Leonardo 4 Children: Climate, Equality & Peace” non-profit initiative, aiming to empower children and young people across Europe to contribute to address the issues of climate change, social equality including gender equality, and peace between people while supporting children in need through art and science education.

The non-profit initiative “Leonardo 4 Children” includes international Awards which represent a kind of “miniNobel” for children. In fact, if Leonardo da Vinci were reborn today, 500 years after his death, he would not need to solve the problems of discovering the functioning of human body, or inventing ways to make man flying, or inventing machines: he would likely focus on using creativity to solve global problems to improve the quality of our lives. We encourage children and young people to develop their creativity and become the new Leonardo’s of 21st century.

“Every child can be a genius!”

Leonardo 4 Children: Climate, Equality and Peace

The new edition of “Leonardo 4 Children” non-profit initiative includes international Awards focused on Climate, Equality and Peace, open to children aged 6-12, teenagers 13-18 and young music composers aged 16-30, resident in the European Union, as well as in other countries around the World in cooperation with local partners.

The winners were announced by the Juries in June 2025 and the Workshop and Award ceremony will take place on 6 October 2025 in Brussels.

The Awards include a Talent Development Programme with a budget for each winner (between € 750 and € 200 each) to further develop their skills in art & science, recognition, promotion and publication of the winning works.

“Fables on Climate, Equality & Peace”

For children aged 6-12 years old

Fables

The award allows children aged 6-12 to use their creativity and their artistic and scientific skills to create their own original fable to interpret one or more of the following topics:

- climate action and environmental sustainability
- social equality including gender equality
- peace between people

addressing the problem and possibly proposing a solution.

“Art & Science on Climate, Equality & Peace”

For teenagers aged 13-18 years old

Art & Science

The award allows teenagers aged 13-18 to use their creativity and their artistic and scientific skills to create their own original project integrating art and science to interpret one or more of the following topics:

- climate action and environmental sustainability
- social equality including gender equality
- peace between people

addressing the problem and possibly proposing a solution.

“Leonardo 4 Music” Award on Climate, Equality & Peace

For young music composers aged 16-30 years old

Music

Young music composers are invited to compose an original music on the topics of climate, equality or peace, inspired by: Leonardo da Vinci, previous winners of Leonardo 4 Children Awards, or by a movie or by a story/poem on these topics.
The winner nr 1 will be offered the opportunity to use her/his music for a promotional campaign by an international organisation or NGO and the winner nr 2 for the promotional video of Leonardo4Children initiative.

“Leonardo 4 Teachers” Award on Climate, Equality & Peace

For teachers and experts in education of primary/secondary schools

Teachers

Teachers of primary/secondary schools or experts working with students – resident in the EU – are invited to develop an example of Art & Science discipline on the topics of climate, equality or peace, and apply the discipline in the activity with children or teenagers.
The best works will be presented in events and workshops, be part of the “Leonardo 4 Children Academy” library and be published on the Leonardo4Children website.

Summary

The Leonardo 4 Children Awards allow children aged 6-12, teenagers aged 13-18, young music composers and teachers to use and further develop their creativity and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) skills, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s example, to address a global issue such as climate change, equality and peace.

Object

The “work” submitted for the Awards should be an original creation by one or more participants integrating art & science, on the issue of climate change and environmental sustainability, equality and/or peace, addressing the problem and possibly proposing a solution.

Timetable

  • Open from 15 September 2024 until 15 May 2025
  • Announcement of winners: 15 June 2025
  • Workshop, Concert & Award ceremony: 6 October 2025 in Brussels

Prizes

The authors of the works with the 10 best scoring will receive an award, consisting in:

  • talent development programme, with a budget for each winner of
    € 750 – € 500 (respectively for the winners nr. 1 – 2 of Leonardo4Music)
    € 500 (top 3 winners Fables and Art&Science)
    € 200 (4th-10th winner of Fables and Art&Science) to develop their skills in art & science, for instance with workshops, courses, meeting with experts, visits and material;

  • publication on “Leonardo 4 Children” book used or raising funds and as donation to children in need;

  • presentation at workshop and award ceremony; promotion on website, social media and promotional material, at public events, institutions or public places including famous museums, and during concerts and events;

  • “Leonardo 4 Children” award certificate.

Special Awards

Special Awards are created in collaboration with, and thanks to the support of, sponsors and partners, to offer specific challenges to participants, and opportunities to win special experiences in the field of art and science.

Examples of Special Awards:

  • Cybersecurity and Internet and social media safety – partner AXA
  • Design of Vespa motorbike – partner Piaggio Museum
  • Science – partner Galileo Museum Florence
  • Special Award Marina Calamai
  • Music festival – partner Lunigiana International Music Festival