Every day, countless individuals dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to making their communities a better place. From grassroots organizers to local neighborhood heroes, volunteers are the steady engine behind positive social change. Yet, so much of their vital work happens behind the scenes.
In celebration of International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026, the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is shining a bright light on these unsung heroes through the return of Ten Photos to Shake the World (TPSW 2026). To read the complete announcement, check out the full press release.
Volunteers in Frame: The Theme for 2026
First launched in 2011, TPSW was established to highlight critical social responsibility themes through powerful visual storytelling. After a brief hiatus following 2022, the competition returns in 2026 with a powerful theme: “Volunteers in Frame: Capturing the Spirit of Volunteerism and Social Impact.”
As Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), put it:
“Too often, volunteers are the people behind the scenes. In the spirit of the International Volunteer Year, this competition puts them in the frame and highlights the role they play in building stronger communities.”
For ASSIST, volunteerism isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s “love put to action,” shares ASSIST representative Francis Macatulad.
“Volunteers are the hearts, hands and voices of an organization’s social development program—unpaid and often unsung heroes. With TPSW, ASSIST Asia hopes to celebrate their passion and recognize their invaluable contribution to nation-building,”
Whether you are a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, the TPSW 2026 photo contest wants to capture your perspective. Open to visual storytellers residing in the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, the competition invites you to highlight meaningful community causes while competing for cash prizes, international recognition, and features across global media showcases.
Grab your camera and help frame the spirit of volunteerism before the extended deadline on November 20, 2026. For complete entry guidelines and submission details,Visit the official TPSW Primer.
