Our regional partnerships help World Press Photo be more representative of and connected to the world

In line with our regional strategy that focuses on increased visibility and connection in regions around the world, our regional partnerships aim to allow the World Press Photo Foundation to better connect to local networks and provide more regional visibility for local photojournalists and documentary photographers. Regional partners are organizations that provide local knowledge and contextualization of the World Press Photo Contest to the local photography communities.

The World Press Photo Foundation and regional partners work jointly on the contest outreach and judging activities in the region, and later on regional educational programs and funding opportunities. Our regional partners will also support us with developing more regional exhibitions, and assist with communication campaigns in the region.

In 2022 and 2023, we established regional partnerships for Asia and Africa. World Press Photo’s Asia regional partner is Drik Picture Library, Bangladesh and our Africa regional partner is The Market Photo Workshop, South Africa.

Eventually, we wish to have one regional partnership in each of the six regions of the World Press Photo Contest model.

In June 2022, the World Press Photo Foundation and Drik Picture Library, Bangladesh, announced their partnership for the Asia region.

Drik is an independent media organization committed to challenging social inequality. Established in 1989, it specializes in art, media and communication for local and global audiences. Known for its creativity and innovation, this award-winning agency gave rise to the world renowned photography school, Pathshala; the best known photo festival in Asia, Chobi Mela, a role model that subsequent festivals in China, India, Singapore and other Asian countries have been built on; and Majority World, a ‘fair trade’ photo agency.

The pursuit of an egalitarian and non-militaristic world where the dignity of all human beings is valued has been a central principle of Drik. It has done so, by creating a nurturing environment where storytellers, artists, activists and scholars have been able to speak truth to power and challenge oppression in all forms, while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism.

In March 2023, the World Press Photo Foundation and The Market Photo Workshop, South Africa announced their partnership for the Africa region.

The Market Photo Workshop is a Johannesburg-based school of photography, gallery and resource center for practicing photographers. Since its establishment in 1989, the school has played an integral role in the training and growth of photographers from South Africa and further afield, while promoting photography through exhibitions, public debates and collaborative projects, especially within marginalized communities. The Market Photo Workshop is a division of The Market Theatre Foundation. Market Photo Workshop is the recipient of The Principal Prince Claus Award 2018.

We hope to establish regional partnerships in the remaining four regions of our contest model in the coming years, with a priority on the regions that have been historically underrepresented in our contest entries and results, that is Southeast Asia and Oceania, and South America.

If you wish to apply to become a regional partner or are able to think about funding opportunities to establish regional partnerships, please contact Martine Chalmers, regional partnerships manager, for more information.

Images credits (top to bottom): Istiak Karim/Drik; Livhuwani Mutele/Market Photo Workshop.