Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme
The Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme is an initiative designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and resources to champion intercultural dialogue as a strategy to address pressing global challenges. This program empowers young leaders to lead transformative action at local, national, and global levels.
The theme for the 2025 Programme is:
"Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move."
π Key Dates
- Date Published: May 20, 2025
- Application Deadline: June 22, 2025
- Programme Timeline:
- September 2025: Online training workshops
- October 2025: Finalize and submit community project plans (with mentor support); grants disbursed
- November 2025 β May 2026: Project implementation with ongoing mentorship and training
- April 2026: Participate in the in-person UNESCO Global Youth Leaders Dialogue for Peace in Guangzhou, China
- May 2026: Submit final project reports
- From May 2026 onwards: Continued involvement in the Alumni Network and UNESCO-led opportunities
π About the Programme
This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of champions for dialogue, cohesion, and peace. Participants will gain opportunities to:
- Champion intercultural dialogue
- Drive meaningful impact in their communities
- Engage in capacity-building, receive financial grants, and benefit from ongoing mentorship
- Raise their voices on an international platform
The program is part of UNESCOβs "Road to Peace: Dialogue and Action for Tolerance and Intercultural Understanding" initiative, amplifying youth-led action and contributing to systemic change worldwide.
π Benefits of the Programme
1. Capacity-Building
Participants will engage in a structured capacity-building program that includes:
- Online Training Workshops: Strategic sessions to equip participants with skills and tools for intercultural leadership.
- Ongoing Learning and Exchange: A platform for continued training and knowledge-sharing.
- Peer-to-Peer Learning and Mentorship: Regular sessions and personalized coaching to guide project implementation.
2. Financial Grants for Community Projects
- Participants will receive a grant of $10,000 USD to implement a community project aligned with the program's theme.
- Projects will be supported by ongoing training, peer-support, and mentorship.
3. A Global Network and Lasting Impact
Participants will gain access to:
- A Global Alumni Network for ongoing exchange and opportunities.
- Participation in the Global Youth Dialogue for Peace, a forum for policy influence and best practice sharing.
- UNESCO resources, toolkits, and methodologies for scaling best practices.
- Opportunities to contribute to the UNESCO Global Intercultural Action Observatory.
β Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be between 25 and 45 years old as of September 1, 2025.
- Have a proven record of leadership in their field.
- Demonstrate a commitment to intercultural dialogue and social impact.
- Show potential to influence and create change within their communities.
- Be available to participate in all components of the program.
Community-Led Project Requirements:
- Must align with the theme:
"Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move." - Must be implementable within six months.
- Should have a local or national scope.
π Application Process
Step-by-Step Process:
-
Application Submission:
Complete the online application form and submit required documents by June 22, 2025, 23:59 CET (Paris time). -
Pre-Screening:
Applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum eligibility requirements. -
Technical Review:
An international jury will evaluate applications based on predefined criteria. -
Validation:
The final 50 participants will be notified by August 2025.
π Programme Language
- English will be the official working language of the program.
- All project proposals, training, mentorship, and communication with UNESCO will be conducted in English unless otherwise agreed.
π Application Deadline
- June 22, 2025
π Application Portal
- View details of the UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme.
- Apply for the program via the UNESCO Application Portal.
This is a unique opportunity to join a global network of changemakers and contribute to fostering intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. Don't miss your chance to make an impact! π
- Capacity-Building: Engage in structured capacity building including online training workshops, ongoing learning and exchange, and peer-to-peer learning and mentorship.
- Financial Grants for Community Projects: Receive a grant of 10,000 USD to implement approved community projects.
- A Global Network and Lasting Impact: Access to a Global Alumni Network, participation in the Global Youth Dialogue for Peace, and access to UNESCO resources and methodologies.