THE IDEA
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Pick the one that fits your voice. Production value is not scored — the idea is.
DREAM ESSAY
A written vision in your own voice, 300–1,500 words depending on your division.
Dreamers 10–12 · 300–600 words
Visionaries 13–15 · 500–900 words
Builders 16–18 · 700–1,200 words
Future Leaders 19–25 · 900–1,500 words
DREAM STORY
Up to three minutes — documentary, spoken word, animation, music or short film.
A phone camera is completely finef
Film horizontally, in good natural light
Find a quiet space — background noise is the most common issue judges mention
MP4 preferred · 3:00 maximum
BUILDER PITCH
Name one problem, propose one realistic solution and pitch it in up to three minutes.
The problem — specific and local
The solution — something that could actually start
Why it matters — who it helps and how you know
What you would need to start
THE COMPETITION
You are only ever judged against people your own age.
Common Score
Authentic voice, clear vision, Bahamian relevance and personal commitment.
Track Score
Writing and reasoning, storytelling, or solution feasibility.
By Design
Blind scoring within age groups. An Advisory Committee oversees the process; members are announced before judging.
TOTAL AWARDS
Every dollar is allocated in advance. Awards stack: win your track and you take $2,500.
Win your age group as well and another $5,000 follows. Take the National Dream Award
on top of both and the bonus brings one winner to $17,500 in total.
THE SUMMIT
20 Finalists
Named in April and flown to Nassau for the Summit in June.
Travel Covered
Flights and required chaperone support are provided, from every
island.
One Evening
Finalists present on the Dream Stage; the awards close the night.
Schools Recognized
One $10,000 School of the Year award, scored on participation rate — small schools compete.
THE COMPETITION
SEP 2026
Launch
The challenge opens. Schools and Teacher Champions register.
OCT-DEC
Tour
School visits, island clinics and entry workshops.
JAN 31
Close
Essays, stories and pitches are submitted.
FEB-MAR
Judge
Eligibility review, blind scoring and final judging.
APR
Finalists
Twenty finalists named; Summit coaching begins.
JUNE
Summit
National Summit in Nassau, and the awards. The year closes there.
FOR TEACHERS
Every young Bahamian has a dream for their country. Your classroom can be where they define it — and start building it. One class period is all it takes to begin; the lesson plan is written for you.
FOR SCHOOLS
$40,000+ in awards
The challenge opens. Schools and Teacher Champions register. 1x school award for $10,000 and 3x teacher awards for $10,000 each.
Scored on rate
School visits, island clinics and entry workshops.
Small schools compete
Essays, stories and pitches are submitted.
Innovation Lab
Eligibility review, blind scoring and final judging.
FOR PARENTS
A national programme inviting young Bahamians aged 10 to 25 to answer one question. Your child can take part by writing a short essay, creating a video or story, or pitching an idea to solve a problem they care about. It is free to enter, entirely optional, and open to students at every kind of school.
Entries are reviewed by an Advisory Committee and judged on the strength of the idea — not production quality or writing polish.
Media waiver — signed at submission
Media waiver — signed at submission
JOIN THE INITIATIVE
FAQS