🇧🇪 Youth Forum in Belgium ⚖️ Shape EU Policy at the EIGE Gender Equality Forum 🗣️ (Funded participation)

If you are a young European who cares about gender equality and wants a real seat at the table where EU priorities are debated, this is an exceptional opportunity. The European Institute for Gender Equality is inviting 35 young people to Brussels to help shape the conversation on how gender equality can drive the EU's competitiveness agenda, with travel, accommodation, and a daily allowance covered for up to 30 participants. You will not just attend this Forum, you will help shape it.

About the Organiser

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is the European Union's knowledge centre on gender equality. As the EU agency for gender equality, EIGE develops data-driven tools and research to help policymakers design and implement inclusive, transformative measures that promote gender equality across all areas of life.

About the Forum

The Gender Equality Forum is a dynamic event designed to bring people together to discuss the most pressing gender equality issues in the EU. Now in its third edition, the Forum takes place in Brussels on 17 November 2026, at a watershed moment, as key EU priorities such as care and the ongoing negotiations on the multiannual EU budget intersect with a renewed focus on competitiveness.

To ensure a strong youth focus, EIGE is inviting 35 youth participants aged 18 to 30 to attend the Forum in person, so that young voices help sustain momentum and ensure that gender equality remains a cornerstone of the EU's economic and social progress. The Forum features a rich programme of debates, workshops, inspirational talks, and other activities, bringing together a wide range of participants, from representatives of EU institutions and civil society organisations to employers and artists.

The event will be in English, taking place both in person and online, with International Sign Language interpretation for selected sessions on-site and online.

Thematic Strands

Discussions at the Forum will be based around three thematic strands:

🤝 Care at the core for resilient economies

💡 Skills for innovation: addressing gender gaps in opportunities and workplaces

📊 The cost of gender gaps, and how to unlock gender equality as an economic accelerator

What's in It for You

If you are passionate about working towards a bigger purpose and specifically interested in promoting gender equality in your workplace and beyond, this is the place to be. You will be able to share your unique ideas with high-level representatives, gender equality experts, and peers, and meet progressive employers shaping a more inclusive and prosperous Europe. Making a difference starts by debating ideas and exchanging experiences and perspectives, and the Forum gives you the opportunity to do exactly that.

As a youth participant, you will not just attend the Forum, you will help shape it. This could mean:

🎬 Featuring in the Forum opening video and on EIGE's website

🎤 Bringing your unique perspective and insights during Q&A sessions

🧩 Joining interactive thematic workshops and contributing to equitable solutions to competitiveness challenges

🗣️ Taking part in the closing conversation with EIGE's Director

📱 Capturing the event through EIGE's social media

Who Can Apply

This call is designed for young people with some early-stage work experience. You should be:

🎂 Aged between 18 and 30 years at the time of application

🇪🇺 Living in one of the 27 EU Member States (non-EU nationals residing in the EU may also apply)

💼 In possession of work experience, such as employment, a traineeship, internship, or similar

❤️ Committed to gender equality as a core principle of the European Union

⚡ Motivated to participate actively in the Forum sessions and related activities

🗣️ Able to express yourself comfortably in English

📍 Available to attend the Forum in person in Brussels on 17 November 2026

Gender equality is a shared responsibility, and EIGE wants the Forum to reflect the diversity of Europe. Applications are encouraged irrespective of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, disability, religion, or belief. EIGE particularly encourages men and non-binary people to apply.

Selection Process

EIGE will select up to 35 young people for on-site participation at the event venue in Brussels, based on how well they match the profile above and on an assessment of the responses provided in the application form. EIGE strives to reach a balanced representation within the selected youth cohort across gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographical, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, disability, religion, or belief.

Candidates will be informed by the end of August 2026 whether their application has been accepted, rejected, or placed on the waiting list.

EIGE plans to organise two online meetings with the selected cohort:

🤝 The first meeting, tentatively scheduled for September, will be an introductory session to get familiar with the rest of the cohort and your role within the Forum

🎥 The second meeting, tentatively planned for October, will focus on EIGE's technical requirements for video production and social media content

Practical Information

EIGE will reimburse travel expenses and provide accommodation and daily allowances for up to 30 youth participants, in accordance with EIGE's rules on the reimbursement of experts.

💶 The daily allowance is intended to cover local transport (including airport transfers), meals, and other related expenses

🏨 Accommodation will be provided in a hotel near the event venue

🍽️ On the day of the event, lunch will be provided at the venue

Timeline

📢 June 2026: call for young participants is launched

⏰ 7 July 2026: call closes

🔍 July to August 2026: review and selection process

📨 End of August 2026: notification of results

✈️ September to October 2026: arrange travel and accommodation, if applicable

💻 September to October 2026: online meetings

🎉 17 November 2026: Gender Equality Forum in Brussels

How to Apply

To express your interest, submit the online application form by the deadline. For any further questions, you can contact the Forum team at genderequalityforum2026@eige.europa.eu.