Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 in Switzerland | Fully Funded
The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals (YFGG) 2026 is now officially open for applications, bringing together young leaders, innovators, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for a four-day international forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Organized by the Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD), this second edition of the forum runs from December 14 to 17, 2026, focusing on youth leadership, the Sustainable Development Goals, peacebuilding, diplomacy, and global cooperation. In particular, young people seeking fully funded international forums in Switzerland 2026 will find this program especially compelling, as the fully funded package covers round-trip airfare, twin-sharing accommodation, meals, a visa invitation letter, and an institutional visit to the UN, WTO, WHO, or CERN. Furthermore, the forum is open to applicants aged 15 to 45 from all countries with no specific academic qualification required.
What sets the YFGG 2026 apart from other international youth conferences is its location in one of the world’s most important centers for international diplomacy. Specifically, Geneva hosts the United Nations Office, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and CERN — giving participants direct exposure to the institutions shaping global policy. Not only does this create a uniquely immersive learning environment, but it also provides genuine speaking opportunities, leadership workshops, and cultural exchange activities alongside the institutional visits. Additionally, the selection process is merit-based, meaning a strong application genuinely improves your chances regardless of background. Consequently, this forum stands out as one of the most practically valuable fully funded youth opportunities available in Europe in 2026.
The application deadline is October 18, 2026, with an application fee of $15.99 for all funded categories. Therefore, candidates should begin preparing their applications immediately. The guide below covers every financial benefit, eligibility condition, and application step for the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026.
Quick Answer
The Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 is a fully funded four-day international forum in Geneva, Switzerland from December 14–17, 2026. It is open to applicants aged 15–45 from all countries with no academic qualification required. The fully funded package covers airfare, accommodation, meals, visa support, and an institutional visit to the UN, WTO, WHO, or CERN. The application deadline is October 18, 2026 with a $15.99 application fee.
Details About the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026
- Program: Youth Forum on UN Global Goals (YFGG) 2026 — 2nd Edition
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Organizer: Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD)
- Forum Dates: December 14 – 17, 2026
- Duration: 4 days
- Eligible Age: 15 to 45 years old
- Open To: All nationalities worldwide
- Academic Requirement: None
- Application Fee: $15.99
- Application Deadline: October 18, 2026
Also check: Youth Democracy Summit 2026 in Rome, Italy — Fully Funded Conference
Financial Benefits
The YFGG 2026 fully funded scholarship package covers every major cost of attending the forum in Geneva. Furthermore, selected scholars gain access to exclusive institutional visits and professional development opportunities alongside the standard financial support.
- Round-Trip Airfare Support: International travel costs covered for fully funded scholarship recipients
- Twin-Sharing Accommodation: Free hotel accommodation in Geneva for the full four-day forum period
- Visa Invitation Letter: An official stamped visa invitation letter to support the Swiss visa application process
- Meals During the Forum: All meals provided throughout the four-day forum program
- Forum Materials and Delegate Kit: Full access to all official forum resources, materials, and delegate documentation
- Cultural Exchange Activities: Participation in organized cultural programs and networking events throughout the forum
- Speaking Opportunity: Selected delegates receive a dedicated speaking opportunity during official forum sessions
- Workshops and Sessions: Full access to all leadership workshops, SDG discussions, and forum sessions
- Institutional Visit: A guided visit to the UN Office at Geneva, WTO, WHO, or CERN
- Official CGAD Certificate: An internationally recognized certificate of participation issued upon completion
Also check: Global Future Forum 2026 — Fully Funded Leadership Retreat in Bali Indonesia
Why Geneva?
Geneva is one of the world’s most important centers for international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. Specifically, the city hosts some of the most influential global institutions in existence.
- United Nations Office at Geneva — One of the main UN headquarters globally
- World Health Organization (WHO) — The UN specialized agency for international public health
- World Trade Organization (WTO) — The global body governing international trade rules
- CERN — The European Organization for Nuclear Research and one of the world’s largest scientific laboratories
Participants gain direct exposure to these institutions through a structured guided visit as part of the forum program.
Forum Themes and Activities
The YFGG 2026 focuses on connecting youth leadership with global policy through a combination of structured learning and practical engagement.
- Youth leadership development and SDG implementation strategies
- Peacebuilding, diplomacy, and international cooperation frameworks
- High-level workshops and panel discussions with global experts
- Cultural exchange activities and international networking sessions
- Speaking opportunities for selected delegates during official sessions
- Institutional visit to the UN, WTO, WHO, or CERN in Geneva
Eligibility Criteria
The YFGG 2026 welcomes applicants from all countries and all academic or professional backgrounds. There are no formal qualification requirements. Review every condition below before beginning your application.
- Age: Applicants must be between 15 and 45 years old at the time of the forum
- Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide — no restrictions apply
- Academic Background: No specific academic qualification or field of study is required
- Eligible Profiles: Students, researchers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, youth leaders, activists, lawyers, judges, policymakers, and community organizers are all welcome
Who Is NOT Eligible
Before investing time in your application, confirm you do not fall into any of the following categories.
- Applicants under 15 or over 45 years of age at the time of the forum
- Candidates who cannot commit to attending all four days of the forum in Geneva from December 14 to 17, 2026
- Applicants who pay the application fee expecting guaranteed selection — payment does not guarantee a funded place
Also check: Istanbul Youth Summit 2027 in Türkiye — Fully Funded & Self-Funded
How to Apply for the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026
The application process is completed entirely online through the official YFGG application portal. The selection is merit-based. Therefore, a strong and focused application genuinely improves your chances of receiving a funded place.
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official YFGG application portal to access the application form
- Review the Scholarship Categories: Check the Fully Funded, Partially Funded, and Funded Forum Access categories and select the one that suits your situation
- Complete the Online Application: Fill in all required personal, academic, and professional information accurately
- Pay the Application Fee: Complete the $15.99 application fee payment as instructed — note that payment does not guarantee selection
- Submit Before the Deadline: Review your application carefully and submit before October 18, 2026
- Await Selection Results: Successful candidates receive notification via email with further participation instructions
Also check: One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 — Fully Funded Summit in South Africa
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | Now Live |
| Application Deadline | October 18, 2026 |
| Forum Dates | December 14 – 17, 2026 |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Application Fee | $15.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The fully funded scholarship package covers round-trip airfare, twin-sharing accommodation, meals, a visa invitation letter, forum materials, and an institutional visit to the UN, WTO, WHO, or CERN.
Who can apply for the YFGG 2026?
Applicants aged 15 to 45 from all countries and all academic or professional backgrounds are eligible. No specific qualification is required.
Does paying the application fee guarantee a funded place?
No. The $15.99 application fee does not guarantee selection. The selection process is merit-based and all applications are evaluated on their own merits.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is October 18, 2026. Applications are submitted through the official YFGG online portal.
What institutional visit is included?
Selected participants visit the United Nations Office at Geneva, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, or CERN as part of the official forum program.
How long is the forum?
The forum runs for four days from December 14 to 17, 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
