💬 About the Forum
The World Youth Forum 2026 is back with its 2nd edition, bringing together passionate young leaders, innovators, and changemakers from around the globe for four transformative days of dialogue, inspiration, and collaboration.
Taking place from 19–22 February 2026 at the prestigious Porto Palácio Hotel & World Trade Centre in Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹, this year’s forum will focus on empowering youth to drive innovation, social impact, and global cooperation toward a better future.
Hosted by the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA), the forum offers a dynamic platform for workshops, networking, and high-level discussions addressing critical global issues — from digital transformation to climate action, from entrepreneurship to AI ethics. 🌍✨
🎯 Forum Objectives
🌱 Promote Youth & Civic Activism: Encourage young people to take an active role in civic life and drive positive social change locally and globally.
📈 Enhance Capacity Building: Strengthen leadership, advocacy, and project management skills through hands-on learning.
💡 Foster Social Innovation: Inspire participants to design and implement creative solutions for real-world challenges.
🌎 Cultivate Global Collaboration: Connect young leaders and organisations across continents for sustained partnerships.
🔥 Inspire Sustainable Action: Equip changemakers with the mindset and tools to lead long-term impactful projects.
🧩 Main Discussion Themes
💼 Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation – Encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and youth-led initiatives.
🌿 Climate Action & Environmental Stewardship – Promoting sustainable living and environmental responsibility.
🤝 Global Citizenship & Intercultural Dialogue – Strengthening mutual understanding across cultures.
💻 Digital Transformation & Future Technologies – Exploring the opportunities and risks of a digital world.
⚙️ AI Usage & Policy – Discussing ethics, governance, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence.
🔗 Blockchain Education from an Early Age – Understanding blockchain technology and its potential for youth empowerment.
🎯 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Innovating for a fair, inclusive, and resilient global future.
👥 Eligibility Criteria
✅ Age: 18–45 years old (for scholarship applicants); no age limit for self-funded participants.
🌍 Nationality: Open to all nationalities.
🗣️ Language: Proficient in English (the official language of the forum).
💬 Leadership & Motivation: Demonstrated commitment to community development and global engagement.
📅 Commitment: Must attend the full four-day programme.
🎓 Scholarship Opportunities
The World Youth Forum 2026 offers several funding options to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for global youth:
🏆 50 Fully Funded Scholarships – Includes airfare, accommodation, visa support, meals, toolkit, and networking.
💼 100 Partially Funded Seats – Includes accommodation, visa support, meals, toolkit, and event access.
🎟️ 100 Free Access Passes – Includes visa support, meals, toolkit, and participation certificate.
🏛️ Venue
Porto Palácio Hotel & World Trade Centre
Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹
📅 Important Dates
🗓️ Application Deadline: 20 November 2025
📢 Results Announcement: 10 December 2025
🔗 Application Link
Apply now via the official CDA portal:
