Call for Applications
Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme (Second Edition)
Application Deadline: 19 July 2026, 23:59 CET (Paris Time)
Programme Overview
The Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme is UNESCO’s flagship initiative for emerging leaders who are advancing social cohesion, inclusion, and peace through intercultural dialogue.
The programme is founded on the belief that intercultural dialogue is more than a communication tool—it is a transformative form of leadership that enables individuals and communities to navigate complexity, build trust across differences, and develop shared solutions to common challenges.
Through leadership development, mentorship, community action, and global engagement, the programme seeks to build a new generation of intercultural leaders who translate dialogue into meaningful change.
2026 Theme
Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how people communicate, learn, work, and engage across cultures. While AI presents new opportunities for participation, education, and collaboration, it also raises important questions about trust, inclusion, representation, and equality.
Participants will explore issues such as:
- Misinformation, hate speech, and online polarization
- Algorithmic bias, stereotyping, and digital discrimination
- Unequal access to technology, infrastructure, education, and digital skills
- Representation of diverse cultures, languages, and knowledge systems within AI
Participants will also examine how AI can advance intercultural understanding by supporting:
- Multilingual communication
- Accessibility
- Civic participation
- Cultural preservation
- Conflict prevention
- Cross-border collaboration
Successful applicants will join a global community of intercultural leaders and receive support, resources, and platforms to advance dialogue-driven initiatives and contribute to international policy discussions.
The programme forms part of UNESCO’s Road to Peace: Dialogue and Action for Tolerance and Intercultural Understanding Initiative.
The Leadership Journey
The programme consists of three interconnected phases that combine leadership development, practical action, and global engagement.
Phase 1: Strengthen Your Leadership Practice
Participants will take part in an immersive learning journey designed to strengthen the capacity to lead across differences and use dialogue as a catalyst for change.
Preparatory Training Programme
Interactive online workshops may cover:
- Intercultural leadership in practice
- Leading across differences and building trust
- Strategic communication and influence
- Communicating across cultural and linguistic boundaries
- Intercultural mediation and conflict transformation
- Dialogue facilitation and reconciliation processes
- Foresight, anticipation, and adaptive leadership
- Understanding social and technological trends
- Technology as a tool for dialogue
- Digital platforms and AI for intercultural engagement
- Ethical use of AI in leadership and communications
- Designing dialogue-based initiatives for impact
- Community engagement and social change strategies
Phase 2: Lead an Intercultural Action Initiative
Participants will design and implement their own intercultural dialogue initiative aligned with the 2026 theme.
Seed Funding
USD 10,000
Upon approval of an action plan, participants will receive seed funding to implement their initiative.
Initiatives must:
- Align with the theme Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
- Use intercultural dialogue as a core methodology
- Be implemented within six months
- Operate at a local or national level
Participants will continue to receive mentorship, learning opportunities, and peer support throughout implementation.
Definition of Intercultural Dialogue
“A process undertaken to realize transformative communication that requires space or opportunities for engagement and a diverse group of participants committed to values such as mutual respect, empathy, and a willingness to consider different perspectives.”
— UNESCO & Institute for Economics & Peace, 2020
Phase 3: Amplify Impact and Influence Global Conversations
Participants will have opportunities to contribute to international discussions on peace, inclusion, and intercultural leadership.
UNESCO Global Youth Dialogue for Peace
This global convening will provide opportunities to:
- Present project outcomes and lessons learned
- Exchange innovative practices and approaches
- Engage directly with policymakers and institutional leaders
- Contribute youth perspectives to global discussions on social cohesion and peace
Global Alumni Network
Participants will become members of the Youth for Peace Global Alumni Network and gain access to continuing opportunities for:
- Collaboration
- Advocacy
- Leadership development
Knowledge and Policy Contributions
Participants will have access to UNESCO tools, methodologies, and resources and may contribute to the UNESCO Global Intercultural Action Observatory, informing future policy and advocacy efforts.
Programme Timeline
English is the official working language of the programme.
All applications, proposals, and programme communications must be submitted in English.
Eligibility Criteria
UNESCO is seeking emerging leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment to dialogue, inclusion, and positive social change.
Applicants must:
- Be between 25 and 45 years old as of 22 October 2026
- Have a demonstrated record of leadership in their field
- Show commitment to intercultural dialogue and social impact
- Demonstrate openness to self-reflection, dialogue across differences, and collaborative learning
- Have the potential to influence and create positive change within their communities
- Be available to participate fully in all programme components
Note: Inability to participate fully in the programme will result in non-selection.
Selection Process
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Complete the online application form and submit all required documentation by:
19 July 2026, 23:59 CET (Paris Time)
The use of AI tools is permitted for support purposes, such as:
- Structuring ideas
- Refining language
- Improving clarity
However, applicants must take ownership of all submitted content and ensure that applications authentically reflect their own experiences, perspectives, and motivations.
Applications that fail to demonstrate sufficient personal engagement may be deemed ineligible.
Step 2: Eligibility Screening
Applications will be reviewed against programme eligibility requirements.
Step 3: Technical Assessment
Eligible applications will be evaluated by an international jury based on programme assessment criteria.
Step 4: Final Selection
The final cohort of 50 Young Leaders will be notified by mid-October 2026.
Benefits of Participation
Participants will gain:
- Leadership development opportunities
- Expert mentorship
- Access to a global network of leaders
- Funding support of up to USD 10,000
- International exposure and policy engagement opportunities
- Practical experience in dialogue-driven community action
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to complete the online application before the deadline.
Application Deadline: 19 July 2026, 23:59 CET (Paris Time)