Morocco’s creative talent has taken a significant step onto the global stage as the winners of the inaugural Young Lions Morocco 2026 competition prepare to represent the country at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The competition, organized by the Union des Agences Conseil en Communication (UACC) under the patronage of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, culminated in April 2026 with the announcement of the national champions who will now advance to the international finals in June.
The Young Lions competition, recognized as the world’s leading creative challenge for professionals aged 30 and under, challenges teams of two to develop innovative solutions to real-world client briefs under tight deadlines. For the 2026 edition in Morocco, participants focused on themes of inclusion and accessibility, partnering with the Moroccan Association of People with Disabilities (AMH) to address societal challenges through creative communication strategies.
In the Public Relations category, the team known as PR Warriors—comprising Nada Bencherki and Hiba Belhouk from the agency COM&TALK—secured the gold medal. Their winning proposal stood out for its strong strategic approach and impactful messaging around the inclusion of people with disabilities, earning them the right to compete internationally on behalf of Morocco at Cannes Lions in June 2026.
This first edition of Young Lions Morocco served not only as a national qualifier but too as a platform to highlight emerging creative talent committed to socially relevant causes. By aligning with AMH, an organization founded in 1992 that advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, the competition emphasized the role of communication in driving accessibility and social change.
The UACC confirmed that the competition timeline followed a structured schedule: applications opened on January 15, 2026, with the final submission deadline set for February 28, 2026. A briefing session was held on March 6, followed by category-specific competitions, and all deliverables were due by March 8, 2026. Winners were announced on April 20, 2026, paving the way for Morocco’s official participation in the Young Lions Competitions at Cannes Lions from June 24, 2026.
To compete internationally, all participants must be able to work and present in English, and teams are free to form regardless of employer affiliation, as long as both members meet the age and professional eligibility criteria. Each team selects only one category to compete in, with requirements varying slightly by discipline such as digital, marketing, media, or public relations.
The partnership with AMH underscored the competition’s focus on real-world impact, inviting young professionals to design campaigns that could encourage both public and private institutions to take concrete action toward greater accessibility. This alignment with a recognized advocacy group added weight to the challenge, pushing participants beyond theoretical concepts toward implementable ideas.
As the PR Warriors team prepares for Cannes, they carry not only the expectation of representing Morocco but also the momentum of a newly established national platform designed to identify and elevate the country’s next generation of creative leaders. Their journey reflects a broader investment in youth-driven innovation within Morocco’s communication sector, supported by institutional partners committed to nurturing talent with purpose.
The success of Young Lions Morocco 2026 demonstrates how targeted initiatives can bridge local talent with global opportunities, particularly when grounded in authentic collaboration with civil society organizations. With the international stage now within reach, the winning team’s next steps will be closely watched as they aim to translate their national achievement into global recognition.
For updates on Morocco’s participation in the Young Lions Competitions at Cannes Lions 2026, readers can follow official announcements from the UACC and the Cannes Lions organization as the event approaches in June.
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