🌟 About the Forum

The Youth Global Forum 2026 is an international gathering that brings together young leaders, innovators, activists, educators, and policy shapers from across the world 🌍✨. Hosted in Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸, the forum empowers youth to shape global conversations on the future they want to build.

Organised by the Centre for Global Dialogue and Leadership (CGDL)—a Canadian public policy institute—the forum aligns with key European Union youth frameworks, including the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027, EU Youth Dialogue, and the European Youth Work Agenda. It offers a unique platform where global changemakers participate in high-level discussions, cultural exchange, leadership development, and strategic action.

👥 Who Can Apply

Open to global leaders aged 16–45, including:

  • 🌟 Youth advocates & civil society actors
  • 💡 Social entrepreneurs & tech innovators
  • 🌱 Environmental activists & sustainability leaders
  • 🏛️ Policy students, researchers & educators
  • 🎨 Creatives, artists & storytellers

Whether you work in social impact, digital innovation, climate action, youth participation, or community development — this forum is for you.

🎯 Forum Themes

The global agenda of the Youth Global Forum 2026 focuses on the theme:
“Leading the Future: Dialogue, Action, and Impact in an Age of Uncertainty”
Key topics include:

  • 🤖 Artificial Intelligence & digital disruption
  • 🌍 Climate degradation & sustainability threats
  • 📉 Economic instability & youth unemployment
  • 🗳️ Democratic participation & erosion of civic values
  • 🧠 Mental health & wellbeing of young people
  • ☮️ Peacebuilding, human rights & global cooperation

🌐 What to Expect

Youth Global Forum 2026 goes far beyond traditional conferences:

🎭 Cultural Evenings & Global Networking

Experience Spain’s vibrant culture while connecting with changemakers from over 100 countries.

🤝 Diplomatic Dialogues

Meet diplomats, policymakers, and global experts shaping the world’s most pressing agendas.

💰 $1,000 Grant Pitch Competition

Pitch your project idea and win up to $1,000 in seed funding + mentorship.

🗣️ Youth-Led Plenaries

Take the stage, share your perspective, and propose real policy ideas.

🧪 Skill-Building Workshops

Hands-on innovation labs to strengthen leadership, communication, and critical thinking.

🏛️ Global Policy Simulation

A dynamic simulation mirroring real-world diplomacy and negotiation.

🎫 Participation Categories

The programme offers different levels of funding and participation:

  • 🎓 30 Fully Funded Scholarships
  • 💶 40 Partially Funded Scholarships
  • 🎟️ 30 Forum Admission Seats
  • ✈️ 50 Self-Funded Seats

💶 Funding & Support

Depending on your selection category, support may include:

  • ✈️ Travel support
  • 🏨 Accommodation
  • 🍽️ Meals
  • 🎟️ Forum activities
  • 🌍 Access to global networks & expert mentorship

📝 How to Apply

Complete the online form and upload the required documents.
Official link:
https://thecgdl.org/ygf2026/#ygfevent

⏳ Application Deadline

25 November 2025

📌 Event Location

Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸

⚠️ Important Notice

1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.

2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.

3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including dates, activity details, or application deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.

4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.

💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.