The birthplace of philosopher Confucius, Qufu in Shandong province, hosted the award ceremony of the 20th UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy on Saturday evening where projects from Bangladesh, Ireland and Morocco were recognized for their contributions to innovation in education and the promotion of equal access to learning.

The prize was presented at the opening ceremony of the 2025 China International Confucius Cultural Festival.

The award winners included Bangladesh's NGO Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha for its Solar-powered Floating Schools program; Ireland's National Adult Literacy Agency for its Learn with NALA eLearning Website program; and Morocco's Directorate of the Second Chance School and Inclusive Education of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports for its Second Chance School and Inclusive Education initiative.

"These initiatives demonstrate how innovation can respond to opportunity, foster inclusion, and most importantly, empower young people and adults with the skills to thrive," said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's assistant director-general for education.

Yet challenges remain, as close to 740 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, and two-thirds of them are women, Giannini said.

"As the Confucius Prize enters its third decade this year, this year's laureates remind us of literacy's enduring power for dignity, equality and change," she said.

Established in 2005, the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy is the first international award named after an influential Chinese figure within the UNESCO system. It honors outstanding achievements in education, particularly in improving literacy in rural areas and promoting women's and children's education. The prize reflects Confucius' enduring educational philosophies.

"Everyone should have a right to education, and education brings a more harmonious role," said Elaine Cohalan, innovation manager at Ireland's National Adult Literacy Agency. "That's what we advocate — that education should be available to everyone equally, and that having your education means a better society and a better world."

Over the past two decades, the prize has recognized 57 projects across 36 countries, including South Africa, Spain and Pakistan, benefiting more than a million individuals that include women, out-of-school youth and the rural poor.

It has promoted global educational equity and advanced the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of quality education.

This year marks the 2,576th anniversary of the birth of Confucius. Events were held across the country, including in the city of Changsha, Hunan province, Quzhou, Zhejiang province and Beijing, on Sunday to commemorate him.

Study tours were launched during the festival, featuring six thematic itineraries that trace the philosopher's footsteps and weave together his enduring legacy with the core tenets of Confucian philosophy.