Video Contest Awards $30K to Fight Ocean Plastic Pollution

Your next Instagram reel could help save the ocean and earn you serious cash.

Sustera Foundation, an environmental NGO in India, just launched a video contest that turns creative storytelling into ocean conservation action. The Sea, Shores & Society challenge asks people of all ages to create short videos highlighting marine waste, beach cleanups, or community solutions that keep plastic out of our seas.

The rules are beautifully simple. Record a 30 to 120-second video about ocean health, coastal conservation, or waste management in your community. Post it on Instagram with Sustera Foundation as a collaborator, or upload it directly through their microsite at tinyurl.com/5kexf9ra.

Both individuals and teams can enter, with up to two submissions allowed per participant. The contest welcomes videos in any language, making ocean conservation a truly global conversation. The only hard rule? No AI-generated content allowed.

The top three creators will split ₹30,000 in prize money. First place takes home ₹15,000, second receives ₹10,000, and third gets ₹5,000. Winners also earn certificates and feature placements across Sustera's channels, giving their message even wider reach.

Every single participant walks away with a digital certificate, recognizing their contribution to raising awareness about marine litter. The deadline for submissions is June 5, which aligns with World Environment Day.

The Ripple Effect

This contest does more than reward creativity. It transforms everyday people into ocean advocates, multiplying awareness across social media feeds where millions scroll daily. Each video becomes a teaching moment, reaching friends, family, and followers who might never visit an environmental website or attend a beach cleanup.

The timing matters too. Marine plastic pollution threatens coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for food and livelihoods. By crowdsourcing solutions and spotlighting local waste management success stories, Sustera is building a library of practical ideas that other communities can adapt and implement.

Young creators especially stand to benefit, gaining skills in environmental communication while contributing to real-world conservation efforts. Their videos could inspire the next generation of ocean protectors.

Grab your phone, head to your local beach or community, and start filming—your story might just spark the change our oceans desperately need.