The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize was created in 1989 through the generosity of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The Prize honours the outstanding contribution made to literacy over 500 years ago by King Sejong, who created the native Korean alphabet 'Hangul' which is still a valuable model and reference for the world today.

The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize rewards the activities of governments or governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) displaying merit and achieving particularly effective results in contributing to the fight for literacy. It gives special consideration to the creation, development and dissemination of mother-tongue languages in developing countries.

The Prize consist of a sum of US$20,000, a silver medal and a certificate.

• Winners 2011 
  National Literacy Service - Burundi
  National Institute for the Education of Adults -Mexico
  Honourable Mention) City Literacy Coordinating Council, Tagum City- Philippines
  
  
• Winners 2010
  General Directrate of Adult Training - Cape Verde
  Family Literacy Project (FLY) - Hambourg
  The North Catholic University Foundation - Colombia (Antioquía)
  
  
• Winners 2009
  Tin Tua - Burkina Faso
  Nirantar - India
  
  
• Winners 2008
  People's Action Forum, Reflect and HIV/AIDS - Zambia 
  Honourable Mention: “BBC-RAW” (Reading and Writing) - United Kingdom