Walls Against Border Violence
Aidez Nous à Aider invites artists worldwide to join the 2026 Second Annual International Mural Challenge — a global public art action around migration, illegal pushbacks, dignity and human rights.
From the wall to the world
Graffiti and mural culture have always been more than decoration. They are public language, resistance, memory and signal.
The 2026 International Mural Challenge calls on writers, muralists, illustrators, street artists and community-based creatives to transform walls into visible statements on migration, displacement, illegal pushbacks and border violence. Artists are invited to respond in their own visual language — from realism to abstraction, lettering, characters, documentary approaches, symbolism, typography or mixed media. The goal is not to create one single style, but to build an international conversation across cities, borders and communities.
International Migrants Day
- Theme: illegal pushbacks and border violence.
- Who can join: artists from around the world.
- Where to paint: public walls, community spaces, schools, studios or meaningful local locations.
- Documentation: high-quality photos required; process video encouraged.
International mural challenge
Migration & dignity
18 Dec 2026
info@aideznousaaider.com
The symbol
Participating artists are asked to incorporate the official Aidez Nous à Aider symbol into their mural. The symbol can be adapted into the composition, but its colors must remain unchanged so that its meaning and recognition stay intact.
The challenge encourages artists to connect public artwork with lived experiences. Artists may request migrant testimonies for context and inspiration, helping mural concepts stay grounded in real human stories rather than distant abstraction.
Prize & visibility
The winning mural will move from local wall to international screen.
The winning artist will receive an international digital exhibition through Artcrush, with the mural shown on digital billboard networks across Europe for two weeks.
- Germany: 7,000 digital billboards.
- Milan, Italy: 14 digital billboards.
- Netherlands: 3,500 digital billboards.
- Honorable Mention: $100 Blick Art Materials gift certificate.
The Honorable Mention award recognizes an artist whose work demonstrates strong creativity, technical skill or social impact.
Why this matters
Public walls are public memory. They can hold stories that official borders try to erase.
Pushbacks refer to situations in which migrants or refugees are forced back across borders without access to asylum procedures or legal protection. Through the language of mural art, this challenge brings hidden border realities into shared public space — not as statistics, but as human experience.
For the international graffiti and street art community, this is a call to use style, scale, color and presence as tools for solidarity. The wall becomes a place where movement, survival and dignity are made visible.
Partner network
The 2026 challenge is supported by a network of organizations working across migration, human rights, documentation, community support and anti-racist action.
Jury
The jury connects street art, graffiti culture, public art, publishing, advocacy and international cultural work.
T.K. Mills
Editor-in-Chief of UP Magazine, New York City publication focused on street art and urban culture.
SEVEN
Muralist, illustrator, graphic artist and founder of Burnin’ Bridges Street Art Project.
Albert Guarch
PR and Culture Manager at Montana Colors, connecting spray paint culture with artists worldwide.
Manuel Gerullis
Founder of Meeting of Styles, graffiti artist, curator and international urban art promoter.
Jean Widler Pierresaint
Haitian urban art consultant, advocate and founder of Haiti’s first international street art festival.
Jess Weiner
Cultural expert and change architect focused on representation, inclusion and cultural impact.
Writers, muralists, street artists: get involved.
Paint a wall. Document the work. Add your city to the conversation. Use public art to stand for dignity, protection and solidarity.
Author: MoS
MOS Orga.
