ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Starting from 30 January 2026 the inscriptions to “Obiettivo Terra 2026”, the new edition of the geographical-environmental photography contest, promoted by Fondazione UniVerde, Società Geografica Italiana and Federparchi. The contest, which from this year is deeply renewed and is enriched with new prestigious collaborations, sees as partners: FS Group, one of the most important and historical industrial realities in the country, at the heart of the national and international sustainable mobility system; Haiki+, a company listed at Euronext Growth Milan among the leaders in the circular economy sector in Italy; Comset, of the Sphere S.p.A. group, for 40 years one of the major realities in the food wrapping and household products market. Digital partner Bluarancio.
Important news for the 2026 edition is the extension of Protected Areas subject to photo shots: In addition to the National, Regional, Interregional, Marine Protected Areas, State and Regional Reserves, photo-amateurs can also apply images of Natura 2000 Network Sites (SIC, ZSC, ZPS), Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO Geoparchies, Natural Monuments.
The mission of “Obiettivo Terra”, which cuts the goal of the 17th edition, is to raise public awareness on the importance of biodiversity and environmental conservation, also promoting the production and collection of works of artistic and scientific nature in order to increase the knowledge of the Italian environmental heritage in order to promote its defence and valorize the landscapes, ecosystems, villages, the peculiarities and traditions of food and wine.
A tribute to Italy, a leading country in Europe for the biodiversity of flora and fauna and to Mother Earth, increasingly marred by pollution and cementification. The award ceremony of the competition will be held in Rome, on May 22, 2026 on the occasion of the International Day of Biodiversity held by the United Nations to celebrate the date of adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (approved from the first World Summit of the Earth held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992), and the European Day of the Parks (24 May) appointed by the European Federation of Parks (EUROPARC) to remember the day in which, was established in 1909.
The contest is open to all citizens, Italians and foreigners, residents or domiciled in Italy, who are 18 years old by 15 April 2026 (date of closing the competition). From 30 January 2026 until 15 April 2026 (World Art Day), participants in the competition will be able to send an image taken in an Italian Protected Area among those selected during registration. The participation is totally free, just fill out the form online, available on the portal www. goalterra.eu, and upload a color photograph according to the technical characteristics provided by the Regulation. Only one photo per participant is allowed. First prize – “Objective Terra 2026”. The winning photograph of “Obiettivo Terra 2026” will be awarded a prize of 1,000 euros and will be donated a plate by the promoters, as well as the honor of being exposed to the public in gigantografia in Rome. The lucky shot will also be dedicated to the cover of the book “Obiettivo Terra 2026: l’Italia beloved by Italians”.
Special Mention and Mention. In addition to the first prize, the winners of the 11 Mentions will be awarded among the eligible photos for each of the following categories: Trees and forests (in collaboration with the Command Forest, Environmental and Food Units of Carabinieri); Coastal area (in collaboration with the Corps of the Harbour offices – Guardia Costiera); Avifauna (in collaboration with LIPU); Borghi (at the most beautiful photo of a village located inside an Italian Protected Area, in collaboration with the Association “I Borghi più belli d’Italia”); Wildlife (in collaboration with WWF Italy); Rivers and lakes (in collaboration with UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme); Sea objective (at the best underwater photo taken in an Italian protected marine area, in collaboration with Marevivo); Agricultural landscape (in collaboration with Fondazione Campagna Amica); Geological heritage and geodiversity (in collaboration with the Italian Society of Environmental Geology – SIGEA); Stories (at the most beautiful vertical photo of an Italian Protected Area, in collaboration with InflueXpert); Sustainable tourism (in collaboration with the Italian Touring Club). For the 2026 edition 3 Special Mentions are also set up, whose decree is entrusted to the partners of the contest: “Italian Destination 2026” (at the most beautiful photo of an Italian Protected Area reached by train, in collaboration with Group FS. In the field notes it will be necessary to write “Treno” in order to compete both for the special mention and for the first prize and other awards in palio); “Rete Natura 2000” (at the most beautiful photo of a Site of Community Interest – SIC, Special Area of Conservation – ZSC or Special Protection Zone – ZPS, in collaboration with Comset); “Parchi dalalto” (to the most beautiful photo of an Italian Protected Area taken from a panoramic point, from the sky or even with authorized drones, in collaboration with Haiki+).
It will also be awarded the “Parco inclusive 2026”, in collaboration with Fiaba, the Italian Protected Area that has been more distinguished through concrete initiatives in favor of accessibility and usability for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. The competition, which has no purpose of profit, has received in the years prestigious institutional awards such as: Medaglie and High Patronage of the President of the Republic, the patronage of the Senate of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies, the patronage of the Ministry of the Environment, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Culture and Sport and Young People, together with that of all Italian National Parks and numerous other Institutions. With about 18,000 candidates in these years, “Objective Earth” is also the largest national photographic archive on the Protected Areas of Italy and every year involves hundreds of young people. Thematic selections of images were the subject of national and international exhibitions, among the many, at the UN in New York (2015, 2016 and 2017) and at the FAO in Rome in 2020. Technical partners: Parks.it, SOS Terra, Fiaba, Earth Day Italia, ANBI, FSC Italia, Pixcube, Pianeta Foresty, Aracne. Media partners: Askanews, Italpress, TeleAmbiente, Lifegate, Opera2030, Trekking&Outdoor, Eco in Città.
– UniVerde Foundation Press Office Photos
(ITALPRESS).
