UNESCO Youth for Peace Scholarship 2026
The UNESCO Youth for Peace: Intercultural Leadership Programme 2026 has extended its application deadline, giving emerging leaders from around the world another opportunity to apply for one of 50 places in the programme. The initiative is designed for individuals who are actively working to promote intercultural dialogue, inclusion, social cohesion and peace.
The programme is not a university scholarship and does not require applicants to enrol in a degree programme. Instead, selected participants undertake leadership development, mentorship and practical community action. Those whose proposed action plans are approved can receive USD 10,000 in seed funding to implement an intercultural dialogue initiative over six months.
The second edition focuses on the theme “Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” UNESCO is particularly interested in projects addressing issues such as misinformation, online polarisation, algorithmic bias, digital discrimination, unequal access to technology and the representation of different cultures and languages in AI.
UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme 2026 – Scholarship Summary
- Programme: Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme
- Host Organisation: UNESCO
- Number of Participants: 50 emerging leaders
- Degree Level: Non-degree leadership programme
- Eligible Subjects/Fields: Intercultural dialogue, peacebuilding, social cohesion, inclusion, leadership, communication, community development, AI and society, digital inclusion, cultural understanding and related areas
- Eligible Nationality: Applicants from around the world
- Age Requirement: 25–45 years as of 22 October 2026
- Funding: USD 10,000 seed funding for an approved community initiative
- Programme Language: English
- Project Duration: Six months
- Application Fee: None
- Application Deadline: 26 July 2026, 23:59 CEST
What Is the UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme?
The Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme is an international leadership initiative for emerging leaders who are working to strengthen dialogue, trust, inclusion and cooperation across cultural and social differences.
Rather than focusing on academic qualifications, the programme looks for people with demonstrated leadership experience and a record of positive social impact. Participants learn how to use intercultural dialogue as a practical tool for addressing complex challenges and developing solutions within their communities.
The programme combines three main stages: leadership development, implementation of a community initiative and participation in broader international conversations on peace and intercultural leadership.
Degree Level
The UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme is a non-degree leadership and professional development programme.
It is not associated with a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree. Applicants do not need to be applying for university admission, and UNESCO's published eligibility criteria do not specify a minimum university degree.
Instead, applicants are assessed primarily on their leadership experience, commitment to intercultural dialogue, social impact and potential to create positive change in their communities.
Available Subjects
The programme is relevant to applicants working in a wide range of professional and community fields. Relevant areas can include:
Intercultural dialogue
Peacebuilding
Social cohesion
Community development
Human rights and inclusion
Strategic communication
Conflict transformation
Leadership
Digital inclusion
Artificial intelligence and society
Cultural preservation
Journalism and media
Education
Youth development
Arts and culture
Technology for social impact
Community engagement
The 2026 programme theme is Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. UNESCO encourages participants to explore how dialogue can help societies respond to both the opportunities and challenges created by AI.
Benefits
Selected participants can receive several important benefits beyond the project funding.
1. Leadership Development
Participants take part in an intensive learning journey designed to strengthen their ability to lead across cultural and social differences.
Training may cover areas including:
Intercultural leadership
Strategic communication
Conflict transformation and mediation
Adaptive leadership
Foresight and anticipation
Technology as a tool for dialogue
Ethical and critical use of AI
Designing dialogue-based initiatives
Community engagement and measurable social impact
2. USD 10,000 Seed Funding
Participants whose action plans are approved can receive USD 10,000 in seed funding to implement their proposed intercultural dialogue initiative.
This funding should not be understood as a personal scholarship, salary or unrestricted cash award. It is intended to support an approved community project aligned with the programme theme.
The initiative must:
Address the annual programme theme
Use intercultural dialogue as a core methodology
Be implemented at local or national level
Be completed within six months
Produce meaningful and measurable social outcomes
3. Mentorship and Peer Learning
Participants receive ongoing mentorship and opportunities to learn from other emerging leaders and experienced practitioners.
4. International Networking
The programme provides participants with opportunities to become part of a global community of leaders working on peace, inclusion and intercultural understanding.
5. UNESCO Global Youth Dialogue for Peace
Participants can contribute to the UNESCO Global Youth Dialogue for Peace, where emerging leaders can share project outcomes, exchange ideas and engage with policymakers and institutional leaders.
6. Global Alumni Network
Successful participants become part of the Youth for Peace Global Alumni Network, creating opportunities for continued collaboration, knowledge sharing and leadership development.
Eligible Nationalities
The UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme is open to applicants from around the world.
The official application form asks applicants to provide their primary nationality and current country of residence, with the nationality list covering countries according to UNESCO's official country naming and coding conventions.
Therefore, applicants are not restricted to a particular nationality or region.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be between 25 and 45 years old as of 22 October 2026.
Have a demonstrated record of leadership in their field.
Show a strong commitment to intercultural dialogue and social impact.
Demonstrate the potential to influence and create positive change in their community.
Be open to self-reflection, dialogue across differences and collaborative learning.
Be able to participate fully in all components of the programme.
Be proficient in English and able to communicate professionally throughout the programme.
Be prepared to design and implement an intercultural dialogue initiative related to the annual theme.
UNESCO does not state a minimum academic degree requirement in the published eligibility criteria. The application instead asks applicants to demonstrate their professional, leadership and academic experience through their CV and written responses.
What Type of Projects Can Applicants Propose?
Applicants should focus on practical initiatives that put human connection and dialogue at the centre of technological change.
Possible project areas include:
Countering online hate speech
Tackling misinformation and online polarisation
Addressing algorithmic bias
Reducing digital discrimination
Improving AI and digital literacy
Supporting multilingual communities
Preserving cultural heritage
Promoting digital inclusion
Building trust between divided communities
Improving communication between different cultural groups
Using technology to facilitate intercultural dialogue
UNESCO's focus is not simply on creating an AI product. The emphasis is on how intercultural dialogue can help communities respond to the social challenges and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence.
Is an English Test Required?
No IELTS, TOEFL or other English-language certificate is specified as an application requirement.
However, applicants must be proficient in English because the programme, applications, proposals and communications with UNESCO and mentors are conducted in English. Applicants must confirm that they can communicate professionally in English.
Can Applicants Use AI Tools?
Yes. UNESCO allows applicants to use AI tools such as ChatGPT to support the preparation of their application, including organising ideas, refining language and improving clarity.
However, the final application must authentically represent the applicant's own experiences, perspectives and motivations. Applicants are responsible for all submitted information, and applications that lack sufficient personal engagement may be considered ineligible.
Application Procedure
Applicants should follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Review the Programme Requirements
Read the official UNESCO call for applications and terms and conditions carefully before starting the application.
Step 2: Prepare Your Personal Information
The application form requires information such as:
Full name
Date of birth
Primary nationality
Current country of residence
Email address
Networks or organisations you are involved with
Relevant professional or social media pages
Step 3: Prepare Your Leadership Experience
Applicants must explain their motivation for applying and describe their leadership achievements and contributions to intercultural dialogue, social cohesion and peacebuilding.
Step 4: Upload Your CV
Applicants must provide a CV covering relevant professional, leadership and academic experience and achievements.
Step 5: Prepare the Community Project Video
Applicants must provide a link to a 1–2 minute video introducing their proposed intercultural dialogue project connected to the theme Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of AI.
The video may be hosted on platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox, provided reviewers can access it without special permissions.
Step 6: Complete the AI Use Disclosure
The application asks whether AI tools were used while preparing the application. If AI was used, applicants must explain how it supported their application.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Complete and submit the online application before the extended deadline.
UNESCO will first conduct an eligibility screening. Eligible applications are then assessed by an international jury before the final cohort is selected.
Selection Process
The selection process includes several stages:
Application submission
Eligibility screening
Technical assessment by an international jury
Final selection of 50 Young Leaders
The selected cohort is expected to be notified around mid-October 2026.
Programme Timeline
Selected participants will go through an extended leadership and project-development journey. The programme includes online preparatory training, development and implementation of a six-month community project, ongoing mentorship and participation in international dialogue activities.
The application form also states that mandatory components include the high-level online preparatory training, implementation of the six-month community project, virtual mentoring and capacity-building, and attendance at the in-person Global Youth Dialogue for Peace planned in Guangzhou, China.
Is the USD 10,000 a Personal Scholarship?
No. The USD 10,000 is seed funding for an approved community initiative.
It is not a personal cash scholarship, salary or unrestricted financial award. Applicants should therefore prepare a realistic project proposal explaining how the funding would be used to create measurable community impact.
Is Travel Fully Funded?
Applicants should not assume that all international travel expenses are automatically covered simply because the programme provides USD 10,000 in project funding.
The seed funding is designated for the approved community initiative. Applicants should carefully review UNESCO's official terms and programme communications regarding arrangements for participation in international events.
Application Deadline
The extended deadline to apply for the UNESCO Youth for Peace: Intercultural Leadership Programme is:
26 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours. UNESCO has officially confirmed the extension on its programme page.
How to Apply for UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme
Interested applicants should apply through UNESCO's official application system and carefully complete all mandatory sections. The application requires personal information, leadership and motivation statements, a CV and a 1–2 minute video introducing the proposed intercultural dialogue project.
Final Thoughts
The UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme is particularly relevant for established young leaders who already have experience creating social impact and want to turn that experience into a structured community initiative.
With 50 places available, global eligibility, leadership training, mentorship, international networking and up to USD 10,000 in project seed funding, the programme offers an opportunity to develop practical solutions around intercultural dialogue and the rapidly changing role of AI in society.
Applicants should focus on demonstrating real leadership experience, a clearly defined community challenge, a practical project idea and measurable outcomes rather than relying only on academic achievements.
The extended application deadline is 26 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
