IRENA Youth Forum 2027 in Abu Dhabi, UAE (Fully Funded)

IRENA Youth Forum 2027 is an international opportunity for young people working in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, and related fields to participate in global discussions on the future of clean energy. The eighth edition of the forum will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from January 6 to 13, 2027.

Organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the forum will bring together young leaders to exchange ideas, develop skills, build partnerships, and contribute to discussions surrounding the global energy transition.

Up to 40 participants will receive fully funded participation, including support for travel, accommodation, and visas. There is also no application or participation fee.

About the IRENA Youth Forum 2027

The IRENA Youth Forum is IRENA’s flagship platform for youth empowerment, intergenerational dialogue, and renewable energy innovation.

Since 2020, the forum has brought together young leaders from different parts of the world alongside the IRENA Assembly to contribute youth perspectives to the global energy transition agenda.

The 2027 edition will focus on the theme:

“Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems.”

The theme will explore how young people can contribute to modernising electricity grids, advancing energy storage and improving the flexibility of renewable energy systems.

Objectives of the Forum

The IRENA Youth Forum 2027 aims to give young people a stronger role in shaping discussions around renewable energy and climate policy.

Key objectives include:

Amplifying youth voices in global energy and climate policy.
Building understanding of grid infrastructure, storage technologies, and system flexibility.
Developing skills that enable young people to design and scale impactful solutions.
Exploring ways young innovators can access financing for the energy transition.
Strengthening partnerships between youth, governments, businesses, academia, and international organisations.

The forum therefore combines policy discussions with practical learning, networking, and collaboration.

IRENA Youth Forum 2027 Programme

The programme will take place across several activities in Abu Dhabi.

January 6–7, 2027

The main IRENA Youth Forum will be held in Abu Dhabi and will include a high-level opening and interactive workshops.

January 8, 2027

Participants will take part in the Closing Session during the Seventeenth IRENA Assembly at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island.

January 9–13, 2027

Youth-led activities will include the Youth Booth and Lounge at the St. Regis and activities at the IRENA Pavilion during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at ADNEC.

This programme provides participants with opportunities to engage with other young leaders as well as representatives from governments, international organisations, academia, and the private sector.

Who Can Apply?

The IRENA Youth Forum is open to young people from all countries around the world.

Applicants must:

Be 18 to 35 years old at the time of the forum.
Be actively involved in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, or related fields.
Be leading or contributing to a project, startup, research initiative, or advocacy activity that advances the energy transition.
Demonstrate strong motivation to collaborate with other participants and partners to scale their impact globally.
Submit their application in English.

Selection will also consider geographic and gender balance, alongside the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to the energy transition.

Fully Funded Participation

One of the major attractions of the IRENA Youth Forum 2027 is the availability of fully funded places.

According to the official announcement, up to 40 participants will be selected for fully funded participation.

The funding covers:

Travel
Accommodation
Visa support

There is no application fee or participation fee for the forum.

However, not every applicant will necessarily receive full funding. IRENA states that additional participants may be invited on a partially funded or self-funded basis.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the IRENA Youth Forum 2027 is:

30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time.

Applicants who submit an expression of interest should expect notification of results by November 15, 2026.

Since applications are submitted online and the deadline is time-specific, candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to complete their application.

How to Apply for IRENA Youth Forum 2027

Interested applicants must complete the online expression of interest form.

Official IRENA Youth Forum Information:
IRENA Youth Forum 2027

Apply Online:
IRENA Youth Forum 2027 Application Form

Applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their involvement in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, research, entrepreneurship, or advocacy and explains their motivation for participating.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Programme	IRENA Youth Forum 2027
Organizer	International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Location	Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dates	January 6–13, 2027
Main Forum	January 6–7
Age	18–35
Eligible countries	All countries
Theme	Youth Energising the Future
Fully funded places	Up to 40
Funding	Travel, accommodation and visa support
Application fee	None
Participation fee	None
Application deadline	September 30, 2026
Results	By November 15, 2026
Application language	English

Final Thoughts

The IRENA Youth Forum 2027 in Abu Dhabi presents an opportunity for young people involved in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, research, startups, and advocacy to participate in international discussions about the future of the energy transition.

The programme’s focus on grids, energy storage, and system flexibility makes it particularly relevant to young people interested in the technologies and policies needed to expand renewable energy and reliable energy access.

With up to 40 fully funded places covering travel, accommodation, and visa support, the opportunity is highly competitive. Applicants should demonstrate meaningful involvement in the energy transition and explain how they intend to contribute to and benefit from the forum.

The application deadline is September 30, 2026, so eligible applicants should prepare and submit their expression of interest before the deadline.

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