United Nations Youth Townhall 2026 in Germany: Fully Funded
Are you a young leader, community organiser, advocate, entrepreneur, researcher or youth activist looking for an opportunity to connect with decision-makers and other young people from around the world?
The United Nations Youth Townhall 2026 is inviting young people from around the world to apply for a limited number of funded opportunities to participate in the first-ever UN Youth Townhall in Heidelberg, Germany, from 8–10 December 2026.
The Townhall will bring together more than 1,000 participants, including young leaders, youth-led organisations, governments, UN representatives, civil society, academia, entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators, philanthropy and private-sector representatives.
Application deadline: 7 September 2026, 11:59 PM ET.
United Nations Youth Townhall 2026 – Quick Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity | UN Youth Townhall 2026 |
| Organiser | United Nations Youth Office with partners |
| Location | Heidelberg, Germany |
| Dates | 8–10 December 2026 |
| Participation | In-person |
| Eligible age | 18–35 years |
| Eligible countries | Young people from around the world |
| Number of funded places | Limited |
| Funding | Funded participation for selected young people |
| Travel | Round-trip travel support |
| Accommodation | Accommodation arrangements/support |
| Daily allowance | Yes, based on applicable UN rates |
| Visa | Visa fee reimbursement |
| Language | English |
| IELTS | Not required |
| Deadline | 7 September 2026, 11:59 PM ET |
| Application time | Approximately 30–45 minutes |
| Selection notification | Successful applicants will be contacted |
| Expected notification | By 8 October 2026 |
What Is the UN Youth Townhall?
The UN Youth Townhall is a new global platform designed to create more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in discussions and decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.
The first Townhall will take place in Heidelberg, Germany, and is designed to build intergenerational trust, strengthen connections and create opportunities for collaboration between young people and decision-makers.
The event will bring together young people with:
- Governments
- United Nations representatives
- Civil society organisations
- Private-sector organisations
- Academia
- Entrepreneurs
- Researchers
- Innovators
- Philanthropic organisations
- Youth-led organisations and movements
- Other stakeholders
Rather than being simply a conference where participants listen to presentations, the Townhall is designed around dialogue, co-creation and practical action.
What Does the Townhall Aim to Achieve?
The United Nations Youth Office identifies three major objectives.
1. Strengthen Inclusion and Diversity
The Townhall seeks to broaden participation in global youth engagement by reaching young people and communities that are often excluded from international spaces and decision-making processes.
2. Reduce Fragmentation
The event will create stronger connections and collaboration among the many organisations, institutions and individuals working on the global youth agenda.
3. Create a Collective Path Forward
Participants will have opportunities to transform dialogue into:
- Concrete recommendations
- Commitments
- Partnerships
- Action
- Stronger youth participation in decision-making
- Greater global cooperation
What Can Participants Expect?
The Townhall will place intergenerational dialogue and co-creation at the centre of the programme.
Participants can expect a combination of:
- Larger plenary sessions
- Fireside chats
- Roundtable discussions
- Small-group discussions
- Interactive sessions
- Experience sharing
- Dialogue with decision-makers
- Opportunities for collaboration
The format is intended to encourage meaningful interaction between young people and participants from different generations and sectors.
Selected contributions from partners across the UN, civil society, academia, private sector and other fields will also help shape parts of the programme.
Organisations and partners will have structured opportunities to showcase their work, initiatives and opportunities and connect directly with young people.
Who Will Participate?
More than 1,000 participants are expected at the Townhall.
These will include:
- Young leaders
- Representatives of youth-led organisations
- Representatives of youth movements
- Government representatives
- UN representatives
- Public-sector leaders
- Entrepreneurs
- Innovators
- Researchers
- Civil society representatives
- Academics
- Philanthropic organisations
- Private-sector representatives
The organisers are seeking broad geographical representation, gender balance and participation from young people and communities that are often underrepresented in international policy and decision-making spaces.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is open to young people from around the world.
Applicants must:
1. Be 18–35 Years Old
You must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of the event.
2. Be Involved in Youth-Led Work or Initiatives
Applicants should be engaged in grassroots, local, national, regional or global youth-led initiatives, projects, groups, movements or organisations.
3. Be Comfortable Communicating in English
Applicants should be comfortable communicating and participating in English.
4. Be Available to Participate Fully
Selected participants must be available to actively participate throughout the Townhall and in preparatory meetings before the event.
Grassroots Engagement Is Particularly Relevant
The selection process places importance on experience working with or engaging in grassroots organisations, networks or volunteer activities.
Relevant areas include:
- Sustainable development
- Human rights
- Peace and security
- Youth leadership
- Youth advocacy
- Intergenerational collaboration
- Other relevant youth-focused areas
Preference is given to young people engaged in grassroots organisations who have had limited or no previous engagement with the UN.
Who Will Be Prioritised?
The selection process seeks to promote diversity and inclusion.
Factors considered include:
- Gender balance
- Geographical representation
- Participation of underrepresented youth
- Participation of marginalised groups
- Grassroots youth engagement
- Youth leadership experience
- Youth-led advocacy
- Intergenerational collaboration
- Relevant community or volunteer experience
The goal is to ensure that the Townhall reflects a broad range of youth perspectives rather than concentrating participation among people who already have access to international policy spaces.
Benefits of the UN Youth Townhall
Selected young participants will receive significant support to enable them to attend the event in Germany.
1. Round-Trip Travel
Selected participants will receive support for round-trip travel from their country of residence to Heidelberg, Germany.
2. Terminal Expenses
Participants will receive support for terminal expenses, including transportation to and from the airport.
These expenses will be covered based on applicable UN fixed rates.
3. Daily Subsistence Allowance
Selected participants will receive a daily subsistence allowance based on the applicable United Nations rates at the time of travel.
4. Visa Fee Reimbursement
Visa fees will be reimbursed after completion of the trip, provided participants submit the required receipts.
5. Accommodation Support
The programme provides reasonable accommodation arrangements for young persons with disabilities where required.
Applicants should indicate their accommodation or accessibility needs in the application.
6. Official Invitation Letter
Selected participants will receive an official letter of invitation to support their visa-related processes.
7. Safety Information
Participants will receive information on safe participation in UN conferences and meetings.
8. Preparatory Materials
Selected participants will receive preparatory information, including:
- Relevant event materials
- Reading resources
- Preparatory-session information
What Will Selected Participants Be Expected to Do?
Funding comes with participation responsibilities.
Selected participants are expected to:
Attend the Entire Townhall
Participants must participate in all sessions from 8–10 December 2026.
Participate in Preparatory Sessions
Before travelling to Germany, participants will be expected to take part in preparatory sessions and experience-sharing activities.
Participate in Follow-Up Activities
Participants are expected to commit to follow-up actions at the local or national level after attending the Townhall.
This means applicants should only apply if they are genuinely available and willing to remain engaged beyond the event itself.
Selection Criteria
The UN Youth Office, supported by online volunteers and the Youth Advisory Group to the UN Youth Townhall, will select participants.
Applicants will be assessed based on several factors.
Motivation
Applicants should demonstrate motivation to actively participate in:
- The Townhall
- Preparatory sessions
- Follow-up activities
Grassroots and Community Experience
Experience working with or engaging in grassroots organisations, networks or volunteer activities is relevant.
Experience may relate to:
- Sustainable development
- Human rights
- Peace and security
- Youth development
- Other relevant areas
Youth Leadership and Advocacy
Experience or expertise in:
- Youth leadership
- Youth-led advocacy
- Intergenerational collaboration
will also be considered.
Important Eligibility Consideration
There is an important restriction applicants should be aware of.
The UN Youth Office is unable to sponsor young people who are currently under contract with the United Nations.
If you are currently working under a UN contract, you should carefully consider this restriction before applying.
What Information Is Required in the Application?
Applicants should be prepared to provide information about their background and engagement.
The application form requests personal information such as:
- First name
- Last name
- Date of birth
- Gender identity
- Email address
- Country of nationality
- Country of residence
- City of residence
The application also asks about the applicant’s involvement with youth-related organisations and initiatives.
Rights-Holder Communities
The application provides an opportunity for applicants to identify whether they belong to or identify with particular rights-holder communities.
These include:
- LGBTQIA+ communities
- Indigenous communities
- Migrants and internally displaced people
- Persons with disabilities
- Youth facing work- and descent-based discrimination
- Young people living with HIV
- Refugees
Applicants should answer these questions based on their own circumstances.
Applicant Category
Applicants may be asked which category best describes them:
- Youth-led entity/organisation
- Youth-serving entity/organisation
- Individual young person aged 35 and below
Applicants may also be asked to provide their organisation of affiliation, where applicable.
Accessibility and Language Support
The application asks about applicants’ working knowledge of English.
Applicants can also indicate whether they require:
- Interpretation support
- Reasonable accommodation
- Other participation-related support
If interpretation is required, applicants can indicate the language and scope of support needed.
About the UN Youth Compass
The UN Youth Townhall is anchored in the UN Youth Compass, the flagship initiative of the UN Youth Office for strengthening meaningful youth participation across the United Nations and beyond.
The Townhall is envisioned not simply as a one-off gathering, but as a recurring platform for collaboration, learning and partnerships.
Its broader goal is to mainstream meaningful youth participation across different areas of UN work.
Policy Framework Behind the Townhall
The initiative responds to the growing need for more inclusive and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.
It builds on the UN Secretary-General’s 2023 Policy Brief on Meaningful Youth Engagement, which called for a standing United Nations Youth Townhall to bring greater diversity of youth voices into the work of the organisation.
The Townhall is also connected to broader UN youth frameworks, including:
- UN Youth Compass
- Youth2030: The UN Youth Strategy
- Pact for the Future
- UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security
- UN Security Council Resolution 2807 (2025) on Youth, Peace and Security
Application Timeline
Application Deadline
7 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
The application is expected to take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete.
Event Dates
8–10 December 2026
Location
Heidelberg, Germany
Selection Notification
Only successful applicants will be contacted because of the expected high volume of applications.
If you have not heard from the UN Youth Office by 8 October 2026, applicants are encouraged to explore other opportunities.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply through the official UN Youth Townhall application process.
Step 1: Review the Official Guidance
Read the UN Youth Townhall application guidance carefully before beginning your application.
Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility
Make sure you:
- Are 18–35 years old at the time of the event.
- Are engaged in youth-led or youth-focused initiatives.
- Can communicate comfortably in English.
- Can participate fully in the Townhall.
- Can participate in preparatory sessions.
- Are willing to undertake follow-up activities.
- Are not currently under a UN contract that would prevent sponsorship.
Step 3: Prepare Your Information
Have your personal information, organisation details and relevant youth leadership/community engagement experience ready.
Think carefully about how you will explain:
- Your motivation.
- Your youth engagement experience.
- Your grassroots/community work.
- Your leadership or advocacy experience.
- What perspective you can bring to the Townhall.
- How you plan to contribute after the event.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Complete the online application form and submit it before the deadline.
Important Note About the Funding
Although many opportunity websites describe the UN Youth Townhall as “fully funded,” the official UN wording is more precise: there are a limited number of funding opportunities available for young people.
For selected participants, the support includes round-trip travel, terminal expenses, daily subsistence allowance, visa-fee reimbursement and relevant participation/accommodation support.
Applicants should therefore understand that funding is limited and not every eligible applicant will necessarily receive sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UN Youth Townhall a scholarship?
Not in the traditional academic sense. It is a funded youth participation and international engagement opportunity.
Who can apply?
Young people aged 18–35 from around the world who are involved in youth-led initiatives, projects, groups, movements or organisations.
Do I need to be a university student?
No. The opportunity is not restricted to university students.
Do I need previous UN experience?
No. In fact, preference is given to applicants involved in grassroots organisations who have had limited or no previous engagement with the UN.
Is the opportunity online?
No. Selected participants are expected to participate in person in Heidelberg, Germany.
What does the funding cover?
Support includes round-trip travel, terminal expenses, daily subsistence allowance, visa-fee reimbursement and relevant accommodation/accessibility support.
Is IELTS required?
No IELTS requirement is stated. Applicants need to be comfortable participating in English.
When is the event?
8–10 December 2026.
Where is the event?
Heidelberg, Germany.
When is the application deadline?
7 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
When will successful applicants be contacted?
Successful applicants are expected to be notified, and applicants who have not heard from the UN Youth Office by 8 October 2026 are encouraged to explore other opportunities.
Conclusion
The United Nations Youth Townhall 2026 is a major international youth engagement opportunity bringing more than 1,000 participants together in Heidelberg, Germany, from 8–10 December 2026.
The event is designed to give young people a meaningful space to engage with governments, UN representatives, civil society, academia, entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators and private-sector stakeholders while contributing to recommendations, partnerships and practical action.
A limited number of young people aged 18–35 will receive funding support to participate in person. Selected participants can receive round-trip travel support, terminal expenses, a daily subsistence allowance, visa-fee reimbursement, an official invitation letter, preparatory materials and relevant accessibility/accommodation support.
The selection process particularly values youth leadership, grassroots engagement, advocacy, intergenerational collaboration, geographical diversity, gender balance and representation of underrepresented and marginalised groups.
Final Details
Opportunity: United Nations Youth Townhall 2026
Organiser: United Nations Youth Office with partners
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Dates: 8–10 December 2026
Age: 18–35 years
Participation: In person
Eligible applicants: Young people from around the world
Funding: Limited funded places
Travel: Round-trip travel support
Terminal expenses: Supported according to UN rates
Daily allowance: Yes, according to applicable UN rates
Visa: Visa-fee reimbursement after the trip with receipts
Invitation letter: Yes
IELTS: Not required
Application time: Approximately 30–45 minutes
Deadline: 7 September 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Notification: Successful applicants will be contacted; if no notification is received by 8 October 2026, applicants are encouraged to explore other opportunities.
