2026 UN Youth Townhall — Open Call for Youth Participants

Convened by the UN Youth Office, the 2026 UN Youth Townhall takes place in Heidelberg, Germany, 8–10 December 2026 — the first convening of its kind and a flagship of the UN Youth Compass, anchored in the UN Youth Strategy (Youth2030), the Pact for the Future and Security Council resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2807 (2025) on Youth, Peace and Security.

The Townhall goes beyond dialogue to generate concrete recommendations, partnerships and opportunities for action, connecting young people from diverse backgrounds with governments, the United Nations, civil society, the private sector and other partners — with opportunities for continued engagement beyond the event.

To ensure meaningful, diverse representation, the UN Youth Office will support a limited number of young people (18–35) to participate in person. Selection considers gender balance, geographical representation and youth from underrepresented and marginalised groups.

• Aged 18–35.
• Preference is given to applicants engaged in a grassroots organisation who have had limited or no prior engagement with the UN.
• Youth currently under contract with the UN cannot be sponsored.
• Completing the application takes about 30–45 minutes; submit by 7 September 2026 (midnight ET).

How to apply: review the application guidance, then complete the online application (about 30–45 minutes) by 7 September 2026, midnight ET, via the UN Youth Office form. Due to the large number of applications, only successful applicants will be notified — if you have not heard by 8 October, explore other opportunities. Youth currently under a UN contract cannot be sponsored.