MAKE IT BRIGHT 2026

You can participate if you're a student or recent graduate aged 21 yo and above with a good level of English and no more than 2 years of full-time work experience by January 2027, you're eligible to take part in Make It Bright. Internships, apprenticeships, freelance projects, summer jobs, or self-employment don't count as full-time employment. You must meet the eligibility criteria at the time of registration, even if you finish studying before the competition closes.

This year's challenge runs exclusively on Instagram. Go to @makeitbrightchallenge. Follow the account. Check the pinned post for the registration! Register, agree to the Terms & Conditions and Official Rules, and confirm your participation. Follow the step-by-step guide you will receive in your DM with @makeitbrightchallenge.

We're live in 15 countries. When registering, please select the country where you currently live. The country name during your registration confirms your country of participation. For the full list of participating countries, please check the Terms & Conditions on www.makeitbrightchallenge.com.

No. Each participant can only register once in one country. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

All activities - two main challenges and one optional mini booster - are hosted on our official Instagram channel. Follow @makeitbrightchallenge for step-by-step guidance on how to participate.

You can start all challenges at anytime. Challenge 01 and Challenge 02 can be completed at any time before November 20th, 2026 at 11:59 PM (GMT+1). However, the mini booster needs to be completed within a 24 h window from the moment you initiate it.

No. You can complete them in your preferred sequence or at the same time. It's up to you. Same applies to the optional mini booster.

No. Once a challenge is submitted, your entry is final.

Participants need to complete Challenge 01 & Challenge 02 to be eligible for the Final Event. However the mini booster is optional but it can get you extra points and increase your chances.

Submissions are reviewed by our jury. Mini booster points are automatic whereas you will receive your main challenge points by the end of November 2026. After completing the mini booster, your ranking and total points will be shared via Instagram DM and displayed on our leaderboard at makeitbrightchallenge.com.

Each challenge includes detailed instructions on Instagram. All submissions must be in English, created by you and compliant with the Official Rules, including sections on Expected Behavior and Intellectual Property Rights.

Challenge 01 and Challenge 02 can be completed at any time before November 20th, 2026 at 11:59 PM (GMT+1). However, the mini booster needs to be completed within 24 hours from the moment you initiate it.

Evaluation criteria will be listed within each challenge description.

Step 1: If you're in your market's top participants, you will receive an email inviting you to interview with the JTI team of your registered country. You'll meet with P&C team from your local country as well as your possible future manager.

Step 2: The top participant from each country will be hired for a 12 month traineeship.

Step 3: The top 25 participants from all the hired candidates will go to the Final Event in Hamburg. The final results will be shared with you via email.

You'll receive direct communication from the Make It Bright team with details about the Final Event in Hamburg.

The Final Event will be a maximum 5-day trip to Hamburg during which you will also attend the OMR festival in May 2027. More information to follow and all details will be disclosed to the winners.

The winning participants will be invited to a 12-month paid traineeship within the Graduate Program of their country of participation. The actual location, as well as the details of its conditions will be disclosed at a later stage.

JTI will cover travel expenses and the accommodation expenses.

No. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other benefits.

Yes. You can opt out at any time by sending "stop" via Instagram DM to @makeitbrightchallenge. Please note: choosing to opt out means automatic disqualification from the competition.

Your personal data will only be used to manage your participation in Make It Bright, communicate results, and, if applicable, arrange prizes. JTI follows all applicable data protection and privacy laws. See the Privacy Notice in the Official Rules for details.

Our Make It Bright team is happy to assist via Instagram DM.

You retain ownership of your original work, but by entering, you grant JTI a non-exclusive right to use, share, and publish your submissions for competition-related purposes (e.g., promotion, social content, internal communications).

All participants must act respectfully, responsibly, and professionally. Any offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior (including online comments or submissions) may result in immediate disqualification.

Participation implies full acceptance of the Official Rules and Terms & Conditions. JTI reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition if circumstances require.