The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals (YFGG) 2026 is an international youth forum bringing together young people, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, activists, and emerging leaders from around the world in Geneva, Switzerland.
The second edition of YFGG will focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), youth leadership, peacebuilding, diplomacy, innovation, and international cooperation. The four-day forum is scheduled to take place from December 14 to 17, 2026.
The program is open to applicants from all countries and educational backgrounds, with participants selected based on their profiles, achievements, motivation, and interest in global issues.
Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 Overview
- Forum: Youth Forum on UN Global Goals (YFGG) 2026
- Edition: 2nd Edition
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Dates: December 14–17, 2026
- Duration: 4 days
- Organizer: Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD)
- Age Range: 15–45 years
- Eligible Nationalities: Applicants from all countries
- Academic Requirement: No specific degree or field required
- Funding: Fully funded, partially funded, and forum access options
- Application Fee: $15.99 for the listed application categories
- Deadline: October 18, 2026
About the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals
The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals is designed to provide young people with an international platform to discuss global challenges and develop their leadership skills.
The 2026 edition will bring participants together in Geneva for discussions, workshops, cultural exchange, networking, and institutional visits.
The forum is particularly relevant for young people interested in:
Sustainable Development Goals
Youth leadership
Diplomacy
Peacebuilding
International relations
Global cooperation
Social innovation
Entrepreneurship
Community development
Human rights
Policy and governance
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with people from different countries and professional backgrounds while developing their understanding of international development and global affairs.
Why Is YFGG 2026 Being Held in Geneva?
Geneva is one of the world's major centers for international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
The city is home to or associated with several major international institutions and organizations, including:
United Nations Office at Geneva
World Health Organization
World Trade Organization
CERN
International organizations and diplomatic missions
Holding the forum in Geneva provides participants with an opportunity to experience an international environment closely connected to diplomacy, science, humanitarian work, global health, trade, and international cooperation.
YFGG 2026 Fully Funded Benefits
The fully funded package provides financial and logistical support for selected participants.
According to the provided program information, the fully funded package includes:
Round-trip airfare support
Twin-sharing accommodation
Visa invitation letter
Meals during the forum
Forum materials
Delegate kit
Cultural exchange activities
Speaking opportunity
Workshops and interactive sessions
Institutional visit to UN, WTO, WHO, or CERN
Official CGAD certificate
The exact conditions of each benefit should be reviewed carefully in the official application information before applying.
Who Can Apply?
The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 welcomes applicants from a wide range of academic, professional, and social backgrounds.
There is no specific academic qualification or field of study requirement stated for the general application.
Eligible applicants can include:
Students
Researchers
Young professionals
Entrepreneurs
Social entrepreneurs
Youth leaders
Activists
Lawyers
Judges
Policymakers
Community organizers
Social impact advocates
Young changemakers
Applicants do not need to be studying a particular subject. What matters is their eligibility, background, motivation, achievements, and interest in the themes of the forum.
Eligibility Criteria for YFGG 2026
Applicants should meet the basic eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.
The main criteria include:
Applicants must be between 15 and 45 years old.
Applicants from all countries can apply.
There is no specific academic degree requirement.
Applicants from different educational and professional backgrounds are welcome.
Students, professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, activists, and youth leaders can apply.
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in global challenges, youth leadership, sustainable development, diplomacy, peacebuilding, or related areas.
Applicants must complete the online application before the deadline.
Applicants must follow the requirements of their selected funding category.
Selection is merit-based.
Eligible Nationalities
The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 is open to applicants from all nationalities.
This makes the program accessible to young people from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and other regions.
Applicants should still review the visa requirements for Switzerland and ensure that they can provide any documents required for travel if selected.
Degree Level
YFGG 2026 is not limited to a particular degree level.
Applicants can come from different educational backgrounds, including:
High school students
Undergraduate students
Master's students
PhD students
Recent graduates
Young professionals
Applicants who are not currently enrolled in a university can also apply if they meet the age and other program requirements.
Subjects and Fields
There is no specific field of study required for the forum.
Participants can come from areas such as:
International Relations
Political Science
Law
Business
Engineering
Computer Science
Environmental Sciences
Economics
Social Sciences
Education
Public Policy
Development Studies
Health
Entrepreneurship
Media and Communications
The broad eligibility makes the forum suitable for applicants whose interests connect with the SDGs, global development, leadership, diplomacy, social impact, or international cooperation.
Application Fee
The official program information provided lists an application fee of $15.99 for the Fully Funded, Partially Funded, and Funded Forum Access categories.
Applicants should understand that paying the application fee does not guarantee selection.
The selection process is described as merit-based, meaning applicants should focus on presenting their achievements, experiences, motivation, leadership activities, and interest in the forum's themes.
Before making any payment, applicants should verify the current fee, payment terms, and application conditions on the official YFGG application portal.
How to Apply for Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026
Interested applicants can apply through the official YFGG application portal.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you fall within the 15–45 age range and meet the general requirements.
Step 2: Choose the Funding Category
Review the available participation categories and determine which option you want to apply for.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Provide accurate information about your academic, professional, leadership, volunteering, entrepreneurial, or community experience.
Step 4: Explain Your Motivation
Clearly explain why you want to participate in the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals and how the experience connects with your future goals.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
If required for your selected category, pay the stated application fee through the designated application process.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Review all information before submitting your application.
Step 7: Wait for the Selection Results
Applicants are selected on a merit basis. Payment of the application fee does not automatically result in selection.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 in Switzerland is:
October 18, 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and avoid waiting until the final day.
Why Should You Apply?
YFGG 2026 can be valuable for young people who want to gain international exposure and develop connections with people working on global issues.
Potential benefits include:
International networking
Leadership development
Exposure to global policy discussions
Cultural exchange
Professional development
Interaction with other young changemakers
Workshops and learning sessions
Institutional exposure in Geneva
Speaking and participation opportunities
An official participation certificate
For students and young professionals, participation can also provide useful international experience for future scholarship, fellowship, internship, and leadership applications.
Official Call: https://thecgad.org/yfgg/ref/464/
Final Thoughts
The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland offers young people from around the world an opportunity to participate in discussions surrounding sustainable development, youth leadership, diplomacy, peacebuilding, and international cooperation.
With an age range of 15 to 45 years and no specific academic field requirement, the forum is open to a broad range of applicants. The fully funded category can provide important travel, accommodation, meals, networking, and learning support for selected participants.
The application deadline is October 18, 2026, so eligible applicants should prepare their profiles carefully, highlight meaningful achievements and explain clearly why they want to contribute to global development and youth leadership.
