Youth Empowerment Forum 2026 - Switzerland
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 in Switzerland returns for its second edition—larger, more ambitious, and more globally representative than ever before. Organized byCenter for Global Youth Leadership and Development (CGYLD), YEF returns to Geneva following the successful inaugural edition held in 2025. This year, the forum will convene 250 young leaders and changemakers for an immersive leadership experience at the heart of global diplomacy and humanitarian action. The program features structured policy dialogues, expert-led workshops, an institutional visit to the United Nations Headquarters at the Palais des Nations, and a dedicated study visit with briefing sessions at the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva. Designed to bridge youth ambition with international systems, YEF 2026 equips participants with the exposure, networks, and institutional insight needed to lead meaningful change locally and globally.
Youth Empowerment Forum 2026 - Switzerland
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 in Switzerland returns for its second edition—larger, more ambitious, and more globally representative than ever before. Organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL), YEF returns to Geneva following the successful inaugural edition held in 2025. This year, the forum will convene 250 young leaders and changemakers for an immersive leadership experience at the heart of global diplomacy and humanitarian action. The program features structured policy dialogues, expert-led workshops, an institutional visit to the United Nations Headquarters at the Palais des Nations, and a dedicated study visit with briefing sessions at the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva. Designed to bridge youth ambition with international systems, YEF 2026 equips participants with the exposure, networks, and institutional insight needed to lead meaningful change locally and globally.
Funded Seats Deadline
AUG 20, 2026
Event Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Event Date
September 03-06, 2026
Total Seats
250
Time to application deadline
What Happened at the Previous Edition of YEF?
The first edition of Youth Empowerment Forum in 2025 convened 120 exceptional young leaders and changemakers from across the globe in Geneva, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, diplomacy, and cross-cultural collaboration. Delegates engaged in high-level discussions, immersive institutional visits to the United Nations and CERN, and strategic networking within one of the world’s leading diplomatic capitals. The first edition established YEF as a prestigious, impact-driven forum—uniting diverse voices, advancing global youth participation, and setting a new standard for meaningful international engagement.
Program Structure
YEF 2026 offers two complementary leadership pathways designed to provide delegates with practical exposure to global institutions and an understanding of how multilateral systems operate.
What Happened at the Previous Edition of YEF?
Focused on diplomacy, global governance, and multilateral cooperation, this pathway includes:
- High-level workshops and policy simulation
- Expert-led panel discussions on international affairs
- Strategic dialogue sessions on global institutions
- A high level institutional visit to the United Nation Headquarters in Geneva (Palais des Nations) to learn about UN working and its role in multilateralism
- Interactive briefings on multilateral processes
Participants gain first-hand exposure to international diplomacy within one of the world’s most important global decision-making hubs.
What Happened at the Previous Edition of YEF?
This track offers delegates direct exposure to international cooperation through a dedicated study visit and briefing at the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva. Participants will gain practical insight into how international organizations collaborate to address global challenges and support sustainable development.
This pathway includes:
- Panel discussions on global trade and development
- Briefings on how multilateral institutions operate
- A study visit to the World Trade Organization headquarters
- Guided tour and institutional briefing within the World Trade Organization
Delegates will gain a clearer understanding of how global institutions work together and how multilateral cooperation shapes opportunities and solutions worldwide.
Aligned with Global Youth Frameworks
YEF 2026 aligns with key international youth and development frameworks, ensuring its global relevance and impact. It reflects the principles of UN initiatives on Youth, Peace & Security and supports the goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on inclusion, sustainability, and youth empowerment.
It also connects with the priorities of the European Union Youth Strategy, promoting active participation, collaboration, and leadership among young people. Through this alignment, the forum strengthens youth involvement in global governance and encourages meaningful engagement with international institutions
Faces of the yef
Who Should Apply?
Education & Professional Background
Open to applicants from all educational and professional fields. Students, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and community leaders are encouraged to apply. Age bracket: 16-46
Countries & Nationalities
Applicants from all nationalities are welcome. Participation from the Global South is highly encouraged to ensure diverse global representation.
Passion & Interest
Applicants should have an interest in global change, youth empowerment, diplomacy, technology & innovation, peacebuilding, the United Nations, and humanitarian efforts.
Scholarship Opportunities
YEF 2026 offers 70 merit-based funded seats, selected through a competitive evaluation process.
Scholarship Opportunities
YEF 2026 offers 70 merit-based funded seats, selected through a competitive evaluation process.
Fully Funded Scholarship Includes
Administrative fee $23 USD applies.
- Round-trip international airfare support
- 4-star hotel accommodation in Geneva
- Daily breakfasts
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Full conference access
- Visa support documentation
- Airport transfers
- Institutional study visits to United Nations & World Trade Organization
- Premium event merchandise
- Global leadership certification
- Access to networking receptions
- Cultural exchange opportunities
- Free Geneva Public Transport Card
- A chance to win $1000 USD grant for project
Partially Funded Scholarship Includes
Administrative fee $23 USD applies.
- 4-star hotel accommodation in Geneva
- Daily breakfasts
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Full conference access
- Visa support documentation
- Airport transfers
- Institutional study visits to United Nations & World Trade Organization
- Premium event merchandise
- Global leadership certification
- Networking opportunities
- Free Geneva Public Transport Card
- A chance to win $1000 USD grant for project
*(Airfare not included.)
Single application form for the fully and partially funded categories.
Single application form for the fully and partially funded categories.
Scholarship Opportunities
Funded delegates from our previous edition share how the forum transformed their global perspective.
Scholarship Opportunities
YEF 2026 offers 70 merit-based funded seats, selected through a competitive evaluation process.
Scholarship Opportunities
YEF 2026 offers 70 merit-based funded seats, selected through a competitive evaluation process.
Forum Access
Registration fee $599 USD
- Full conference access
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Visa support documentation
- Guided visits to UN & World Trade Organization
- Global leadership certification
- Premium event merchandise
- Networking opportunities
- Access to networking receptions
- Cultural exchange opportunities
- Free Geneva Public Transport Card
- A chance to win $1000 USD grant for project
*(Airfare and accommodation not included.)
Self-Funded Seat
Registration fee $849 USD
- 4-star hotel accommodation in Geneva
- Daily breakfasts
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Full conference access
- Visa support documentation
- Airport transfers
- Guided visits to UN & World Trade Organization
- Premium event merchandise
- Global leadership certification
- Access to networking receptions
- Free Geneva Public Transport Card
- A chance to win $1000 USD grant for project
*(Airfare not included.)
Visa Invitation Letter
Registration fee $99 USD
- Official Visa Invitation Letter
- Visa Documents Checklist
- Confirmation of Event Participation
- Embassy Coordination Assistance
- Applicants can upgrade later, with visa costs fully adjusted.
UN SDGs Action Grant – $1000 USD
As part of our commitment to real-world change, YEF 2026 will award a $1,000 USD Impact Grant to support a delegate-led initiative.
The selected project may focus on any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and must demonstrate measurable community impact.
This initiative transforms dialogue into action—ensuring that ideas developed in Geneva create tangible change worldwide.
Meet the Winners of Previous Grants
Ruby Riethmuller (Australia) was recognized for her youth mental health initiative Womn-Kind, while Rahul Ramapanchia received the grant for Street Smartz, tackling child protection challenges in South Africa.
Selection Process & Criteria
Scholarship selections follow a transparent, rubric-based evaluation model, assessing
Motivation and clarity of purpose
Demonstrated community impact
Leadership potential
Alignment with global priorities
Geographic diversity
Professional and academic background
CGDL ensures representation from diverse regions and sectors to foster meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.
Why YEF 2026 Matters
Global Governance Hub
- Direct exposure to international institutions
- Elite global networking
- Credible international certification
- Cross-border collaboration opportunities
- Visibility in a prestigious multilateral environment
Global Policy Careers
- International diplomacy
- Multilateral organizations
- Public policy
- Global NGOs
- Social entrepreneurship
What You Will Gain
- Understanding of global diplomacy and humanitarian systems
- Exposure to multilateral decision-making
- Global networking opportunities
- Cross-border collaboration
- Enhanced leadership credibility
- Opportunity for project funding
Scholarship Opportunities
What is the Youth Empowerment Forum 2026?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
When and where will the forum take place?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What are the main program highlights?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What scholarship opportunities are available?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What does the Fully Funded Scholarship include?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What does the Partially Funded Scholarship include?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What is the Youth Empowerment Forum 2026?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
When and where will the forum take place?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What are the main program highlights?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What scholarship opportunities are available?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What does the Fully Funded Scholarship include?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
What does the Partially Funded Scholarship include?
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 is a global leadership conference organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum brings together 250 young leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers from around the world for discussions on diplomacy, global governance, humanitarian action, and social development.
Participant Experiences & Reflections
In Their Own Words
