Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland

The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland is an international youth forum scheduled for December 14–17, 2026. Organised by the Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD), the event focuses on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, youth leadership, peacebuilding, mediation, sustainable development and global cooperation. Applications are open to participants aged 15–45 from all nationalities and educational backgrounds, with scholarship and self-funded participation categories available.

The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 is an in-person international youth forum scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 14 to 17, 2026.

According to the supplied information, the forum is designed to bring together young changemakers, students, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, policymakers and other participants interested in sustainable development and global cooperation.

The event is organised by the Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD) and is presented as an independent youth forum inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The organisers explicitly state that the forum is not an official United Nations event.

The 2026 edition focuses on “Sustainable Development, Peace & Global Cooperation”, with discussions and activities linked to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Geneva has been selected as the host city because of its importance as a centre for international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. The programme highlights the proximity of institutions including the United Nations, WHO, WTO and CERN.

Activities and Programme

The four-day programme is intended to combine policy discussions, practical workshops, networking and cultural exchange.

According to the supplied schedule, participants may take part in an opening ceremony, youth leadership discussions, SDG sessions, peacebuilding discussions, mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution workshops, networking activities and an institutional visit.

The indicative programme is structured as follows:

Day 1 – Arrival & Opening

December 14, 2026 is scheduled to include delegate registration, the official opening ceremony, a keynote focused on youth and the UN Global Goals, delegate introductions and networking activities.

Day 2 – Dialogue & Diplomacy

December 15 is expected to feature plenary discussions on the SDGs, peacebuilding and social cohesion panels, mediation and ADR workshops, inclusive growth discussions and cultural exchange.

Day 3 – Institutions & Geneva

The programme indicates an institutional visit involving one of the UN, WTO, WHO or CERN, alongside a Geneva city tour, youth-led initiative presentations and partnership discussions.

Day 4 – Impact & Closing

The final day is planned to focus on turning global goals into local action, preparing a youth declaration, closing reflections, certificate presentations and a farewell event.

The organisers also highlight workshops, networking sessions, cultural exchange and opportunities for participants to present or develop SDG-related initiatives.

Who Can Apply?

Education and Eligibility

One notable feature of the forum is its broad eligibility criteria. The supplied information states that applicants can come from any educational background, with no specific academic qualification required.

The stated eligibility categories include:

Youth aged 15 to 45 years
Applicants from all nationalities
Students and researchers
Professionals and entrepreneurs
Youth leaders and activists
Policymakers, lawyers and judges
Applicants from different professional and academic disciplines

The official working language of the forum is stated as English.

The programme is therefore positioned for a diverse group of participants rather than applicants from one particular academic or professional field.

Scholarship and Funding Opportunities

The forum advertises several participation categories, including funded and self-funded options.

The scholarship programme is presented as having 80 scholarship seats across three funding categories, although the supplied page contains different seat figures in its FAQ section. Applicants should therefore verify the final allocation directly with CGAD before relying on a specific number.

The advertised funding benefits include various combinations of airfare support, shared accommodation, meals, invitation documentation, forum materials, workshops, cultural activities, institutional visits and certificates.

The application information states that the scholarship application carries a $15.99 non-refundable application fee and that payment does not guarantee selection.

Self-funded participation and forum access options are also advertised, including a $849 self-funded package, a $449 forum access pass, and a $99 invitation-letter service.

It is important to note that the supplied information contains some inconsistencies regarding airfare coverage. The page describes the fully funded category as providing round-airfare support, while its FAQ later states that full international airfare is not included unless explicitly mentioned and refers to “some airfare support.” Applicants should confirm the exact travel coverage before making financial arrangements.

Additional Information

The forum is designed around six major themes:

UN Sustainable Development Goals: Using the 17 SDGs as a framework for dialogue and activities.

Youth-Led Sustainable Development: Supporting initiatives created and led by young people.

Peacebuilding & Social Cohesion: Exploring tolerance, dialogue and peaceful approaches to social challenges.

Inclusive Growth & Global Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration and economic participation.

Leadership for Resilient Futures: Building diplomacy, critical thinking and policy dialogue skills.

Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution: Providing practical exposure to mediation and ADR concepts.

Participants are also expected to receive an official certificate of participation issued by CGAD.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply through the official Youth Forum on UN Global Goals application platform provided by CGAD.

Applicants should carefully review the available funding categories, eligibility information, costs and terms before submitting an application. Scholarship applicants should also remember that the stated application fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee selection.

Visa approval remains the responsibility of the relevant embassy or consulate, even where an invitation or supporting documentation is provided.

The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland may appeal to young people looking for international exposure, leadership development, SDG engagement, diplomacy training and networking opportunities. Prospective participants should rely on the latest official CGAD information when confirming costs, funded benefits, seat allocations and travel arrangements.

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