The opening of applications for the second edition of the Prize is set for 8 June 2026. The competition, which is free and open to everyone aged 14 and over, stems from a collaboration between the Third Sector Forum in Piedmont ETS and the Salesian Youth Association for the Territory (AGS), with the support of the Salesian District of Italy – Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta (ICP). An initiative that renews the Salesian commitment to promoting pathways of growth, responsibility and social inclusion.
The new theme: “Acts of care, choices of legality”
The theme chosen for this edition invites reflection on how legality is not merely a set of rules, but a daily practice that stems from acts of care towards oneself, others and the community. Describing an act of care means describing a choice of responsibility, respect and participation: small gestures capable of bringing about change and building a fairer and more inclusive society.
The competition is open to three age groups: Entries must be unpublished and submitted in one of the three categories: Cash prizes are available for each category and age group, as well as dedicated special mentions: The most significant contributions will be collected in a publication, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity.
Youngsters (14–20 years) Young adults (21–30 years) Adults (31 years and over) Short story (max 2,500 words) Short essay (max 4,000 words) Song (original track, clear audio) to the young people of the Ferrante Aporti to those deprived of personal liberty to the best song to the best essay and to the best short story, with scholarships at the Scuola Holden
The jury will be chaired by Fr Alberto Martelli, Rector of the Salesian work at Rebaudengo, Turin, and will have as its ‘ambassador’ the rapper and activist Francesco ‘Kento’ Carlo, who has been involved for years in educational programmes in prisons and is the author of the book Barre – Rap, dreams and secrets in a youth prison. The jury is completed by professionals from the publishing, social, academic and cooperative sectors.
Deadlines and registration Participation is via digital application, available below and open from 8 June:
- 8 June 2026: opening of submissions
- 31 July 2026: deadline for the call for entries
- 5 October 2026: announcement of the finalists
- October 2026: awards ceremony during the Giornate della Legalità
Enter the second edition of the Meco Literary Prize
Presentation of the first edition’s anthology at the Book Fair
In its first edition, the prize invited participants to address the theme “Behind Bars”, not only considering them as an obvious physical obstacle to personal freedom, but also viewing them as a form of psychological, social, behavioural or even cultural barrier, to which anyone can be a prisoner, even outside prison.
During the 38th edition of the Turin International Book Fair, the book containing the 31 selected texts from among the 850 entries received from across Italy for the first edition of the Prize was presented.
Short stories, poems and essays born of diverse experiences (including those of inmates at Biella Prison and young detainees at Ferrante Aporti) have created a mosaic of voices capable of addressing the theme of ‘bars’ as a physical boundary, but also as an inner, social and cultural barrier.
The volume, published by Elledici, captures the complexity of the theme and preserves Fr Meco’s educational legacy. The proceeds from the sale have been donated to the Harambée community for minors in Alessandria, a cause particularly dear to him.
Source: Salesians ICP
