DUSHANBE, June 15, 2016, Asia-Plus -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today kicked off a blogging competition for young Tajik people.

According to the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), the competition — What Does Development Mean for the Youth of Tajikistan? -- is linked to the ADB’s 50th anniversary.

Participants are invited to submit an originally written blog of up to 500 words in English, discussing youth views on the meaning of ‘development’.

Tajikistan citizens aged between 18 and 25 years old can take part in the competition, with each participant submitting only one entry.

There are three awards to be given. The first prize winner will receive $300, while the second and third prize winners will get $200 and $100, respectively.

To take part in the competition, entrants will need to download and complete a participation form and email it to [email protected].  Participants can start sending entries from today and the deadline is midnight Dushanbe time (23:59 +5GMT) on 15 July 2016.

Winners will be judged by a panel of experts on the basis of originality, relevance to the competition theme, and English skills.  The winning blogs will be published on the ADB blog webpage.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and to date ADB has approved over $1.4 billion in concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country.  ADB’s current partnership strategy with Tajikistan focuses on improved connectivity, energy security, and private sector development.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.  Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in Asia.  It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2015, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including co-financing of $10.7 billion.