United Nations Youth Townhall Fellowship 2026 in Germany
Young people from around the world are invited to apply for the United Nations Youth Townhall 2026 in Heidelberg, Germany, an international gathering focused on strengthening meaningful youth participation in decision-making and policy processes.
The first-ever UN Youth Townhall will take place from December 8–10, 2026, bringing together more than 1,000 participants, including young people, governments, United Nations representatives, civil society organizations, researchers, businesses, and other stakeholders.
The UN Youth Office is supporting a limited number of young people aged 18 to 35 to participate in the Townhall in person. Preference will be given to young people involved in grassroots organizations and those who have had limited or no previous engagement with the United Nations.
This opportunity is particularly relevant for young leaders, community organizers, youth advocates, and individuals working on issues affecting young people in their communities.
United Nations Youth Townhall 2026 Details
The UN Youth Townhall will provide participants with an opportunity to engage directly in discussions about meaningful youth participation. The event is designed not only for networking but also for developing recommendations, partnerships, and practical actions.
The Townhall is part of the UN Youth Compass, an initiative aimed at strengthening meaningful youth participation throughout the UN system.
- Host country: Germany
- City: Heidelberg
- Event dates: December 8–10, 2026
- Age requirement: 18–35 years
- Nationality: Open internationally
- Application deadline: September 7, 2026
- Expected notification: Around October 8, 2026
- Language: Working knowledge of English required
Degree Level
The United Nations Youth Townhall Fellowship 2026 is not a conventional academic scholarship or degree programme. Therefore, applicants are not required to enroll in a bachelor's, master's, or PhD programme.
Young people from different educational backgrounds can apply as long as they meet the fellowship's age and participation requirements and can demonstrate relevant community, youth, or organizational involvement.
Students, graduates, young professionals, community organizers, and youth advocates may therefore find this opportunity relevant to their experience.
Available Subjects
There is no specific academic subject or degree field required for the UN Youth Townhall 2026.
The opportunity is centered on youth participation, community engagement, policy discussions, leadership, and social impact. Applicants working on issues affecting young people and communities may be particularly relevant.
Possible areas of involvement include:
Youth leadership and participation
Community development
Education
Social inclusion
Human rights
Gender equality
Climate and environmental issues
Public policy
Civic engagement
Sustainable development
Youth advocacy
Social entrepreneurship
Community organizing
Applicants do not necessarily need to have an academic background in these areas. Practical experience and community involvement can be important parts of an application.
Benefits
Selected participants will have the opportunity to attend the UN Youth Townhall in person in Heidelberg, Germany.
The event can provide participants with valuable opportunities to:
Participate in discussions with young people and decision-makers.
Contribute to conversations about meaningful youth participation.
Engage with representatives from the United Nations and other sectors.
Participate in roundtables and smaller group discussions.
Develop recommendations and practical actions.
Build international connections with other young leaders.
Exchange ideas and experiences with youth organizations and community representatives.
Contribute to partnerships focused on youth participation.
Gain exposure to an international policy environment.
A limited number of young people will receive sponsorship through the youth call. Applicants should carefully review the official guidance to understand exactly what support is provided to selected participants.
What Is the UN Youth Townhall?
The UN Youth Townhall is designed as a space where young people can engage directly with decision-makers and other stakeholders.
Rather than functioning solely as a traditional conference, the Townhall will include roundtables, fireside conversations, smaller discussions, and exchanges between young people and decision-makers.
Participants will discuss ways to make youth participation more meaningful and will work toward recommendations, partnerships, and practical actions.
The event is connected to the UN Youth Compass, which seeks to strengthen the role of young people in UN processes and ensure that youth participation goes beyond symbolic involvement.
Eligible Nationalities
The UN Youth Townhall 2026 is open to young people internationally.
The selection process will consider geographical representation, gender balance, and inclusion of young people from underrepresented and marginalized communities. This means the organizers are seeking participation from a diverse range of backgrounds and regions.
Applicants should provide information about their nationality and place of residence as part of the application.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
Applicants must be 18 to 35 years old.
Applicants can be from different countries and regions.
Applicants should demonstrate youth, community, grassroots, or organizational involvement where applicable.
Applicants must have a working knowledge of English.
Applicants should be able to participate in the Townhall in Heidelberg from December 8–10, 2026 if selected.
Applicants should provide accurate information about their nationality and residence.
Applicants should disclose any interpretation requirements.
Applicants should identify accessibility or reasonable-accommodation needs where applicable.
Applicants should provide information about relevant safety requirements.
Applicants currently working under a UN contract cannot receive sponsorship through this call.
Previous UN experience is not required. In fact, applicants with limited or no previous UN engagement may receive preference.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is particularly suitable for young people who are already involved in their communities or youth-related initiatives.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
Are between 18 and 35 years old.
Are involved in grassroots organizations.
Have had limited or no previous engagement with the United Nations.
Represent or work with young people in their communities.
Come from underrepresented or marginalized communities.
Can demonstrate meaningful community involvement.
Have a working knowledge of English.
Applicants may apply individually or identify themselves with a youth-led or youth-serving organization, depending on their circumstances.
Individuals currently working under a UN contract are not eligible to receive sponsorship through this youth call.
Application Procedure
The application is completed online and takes approximately 30–45 minutes.
Applicants should follow these steps:
Step 1: Review the Eligibility Requirements
Before starting the application, carefully check the age, participation, English-language, and other requirements.
Applicants should also understand that this is a competitive opportunity with a limited number of sponsored places.
Step 2: Prepare Your Personal Information
Applicants will need to provide information such as their nationality, residence, and other personal details.
Make sure all information entered in the application is accurate and consistent.
Step 3: Describe Your Community or Organizational Involvement
Explain whether you are involved in a youth-led organization, youth-serving organization, grassroots initiative, or community activity.
If applying individually, explain your own work and involvement with young people or your community.
Step 4: Explain Your Motivation
Applicants should clearly explain why they want to participate in the UN Youth Townhall and what they would contribute to the discussions.
Avoid focusing only on a desire to attend an international event. Instead, explain the issue you are working on, the community you are connected to, and why your perspective would be valuable.
Step 5: Explain Your Future Contribution
A strong application should also demonstrate how participation could create an impact after the Townhall.
For example, applicants can explain how they would share knowledge, strengthen a local initiative, develop partnerships, or bring youth perspectives back to their communities.
Step 6: Provide Language and Accessibility Information
Applicants should confirm their working knowledge of English and identify any interpretation, accessibility, reasonable-accommodation, or safety requirements relevant to their participation.
Step 7: Submit the Application Before the Deadline
The application deadline is September 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
Applicants should submit their forms before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
Successful applicants are expected to be notified around October 8, 2026.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should not feel that they need to present themselves as experienced UN diplomats.
The selection process places importance on grassroots participation and inclusion. Therefore, practical community experience can be highly valuable.
When completing the application, focus on:
The issue or problem you are addressing.
The community or young people you work with.
Your practical experience.
What perspective you can bring to the Townhall.
How your participation could benefit your community.
What you would do with the knowledge and connections gained from the event.
Applicants with little or no previous UN experience should not automatically assume that they are disadvantaged. The call specifically indicates that limited or no previous UN engagement can be an advantage for the target group.
