Applications Invited for 2026 UN Youth Townhall

About the Organization

As the first dedicated entity for youth affairs within the United Nations Secretariat, the UN Youth Office champions the rights, perspectives, contributions and potential of young people everywhere. We lead efforts to enhance collaboration, coordination and accountability on youth affairs, ensuring that the United Nations works effectively and inclusively with young people in all their diversity. By fostering meaningful, inclusive, and impactful participation of youth in decision-making processes, our work focuses on empowering young people as agents of transformative change in addressing global challenges in the areas of sustainable development, peace and security, human rights and humanitarian action.

About the Program

Convened by UN Youth Office with the support of partners, the UN Youth Townhall taking place in Heidelberg, Germany, 8-10 December 2026, is the first convening of its kind. The Townhall is a flagship convening of the UN Youth Compass which responds to the UN Secretary-General's 2023 Policy Brief on Meaningful Youth Engagement and is anchored in the UN Youth Strategy (Youth2030), the youth-related commitments of the Pact for the Future, and Security Council resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2807 (2025) on Youth, Peace and Security.

The Townhall goes beyond dialogue by seeking to generate concrete recommendations, partnerships and opportunities for action. It will connect young people from diverse backgrounds with governments, the United Nations, civil society, the private sector and other partners, creating opportunities for continued engagement beyond the event.

To ensure meaningful and diverse representation of young people at this milestone gathering, the United Nations Youth Office will support a limited number of young people (18-35 years old) to participate in-person at the Townhall.

Eligibility

Selection of eligible young persons will be made by the UN Youth Office, with support from online volunteers and the Youth Advisory Group to the UN Youth Townhall. Selection will consider gender balance, geographical representation and youth from underrepresented and marginalized groups. Preference will be given to applicants engaged in a grassroots organization who have had limited or no prior engagement with the UN. Additionally, please note that we are unable to sponsor youth who are currently under contract with the UN.

How to Apply

Before applying, please be sure to review the application guidance. Completing this application will take approximately 30-45 minutes. Please submit it by 7 September 2026, midnight ET.

For more information please check the Link