Are you a young changemaker or part of a youth-led organization working to create a better world? The UNESCO Global Youth Community (GYC) is now welcoming new members from around the world. This platform connects passionate young people and youth organizations with global opportunities, learning resources, partnerships, and spaces for meaningful participation in UNESCO’s work.
What is the UNESCO Global Youth Community?
The GYC is a youth-run and youth-centered platform dedicated to empowering young leaders to co-design, co-implement, and scale initiatives across UNESCO’s fields of competence. It was launched following the 11th UNESCO Youth Forum, where 75 youth delegates co-created a strategy for long-term and meaningful youth engagement with UNESCO.
The GYC exists to:
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Strengthen youth participation in global decision-making.
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Support youth-to-youth collaboration and capacity building.
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Showcase youth-led innovation and impact.
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Foster intergenerational dialogue and co-learning.
Why Join the GYC? (Key Benefits)
As a GYC member, you gain access to:
✅ Networking: Connect with youth innovators and experts across the globe
✅ Collaboration: Partner on local or international youth-led projects
✅ Learning Hub: Access courses, webinars, publications, and toolkits
✅ Opportunities: Apply for internships, consultancies, visibility & support
✅ Advocacy: Join global campaigns and amplify youth voices in policy spaces
Who Can Apply?
For Individuals
To become a GYC member as an individual, you must:
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Be 18 to 35 years old
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Be studying or working in at least one UNESCO priority area:
Education, Natural Sciences, Social & Human Sciences, Culture, Communication, or Information
For Youth Organizations & Networks
Eligible organizations or networks must:
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Be youth-led and/or youth-focused
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Operate at local, national, regional, or global levels
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Be participatory, transparent, democratic, and non-discriminatory
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Work in UNESCO’s fields of competence
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Be formally registered (If not registered, you can still contact gyc@unesco.org to explore options)
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
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Fill out the online “Expression of Interest” questionnaire
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Check your email (including spam folder) for a message from
SharePoint Online (no-reply@sharepointonline.com) -
Click the link in the email and complete the full application form
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Once approved, you will receive full GYC membership access to the platform
Two Main Objectives of the GYC
1. Meaningful Engagement of Youth
The GYC helps youth shape and implement UNESCO projects and policies while ensuring their voices are central in development decisions.
2. Learning Community
The platform acts as a global peer-learning space where young people co-create knowledge, exchange skills, and implement solutions.
Five Great Reasons to Join
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Build partnerships that can open doors to funding, technical support, and visibility
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Promote and showcase your youth-led project or initiative globally
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Benefit from interactive peer-learning and mentorship
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Access an exclusive learning hub with valuable training materials
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Engage in global youth forums and advocacy campaigns
Ready to Join?
Young individuals aged 18–35 and youth-led organizations working in UNESCO’s focus areas are encouraged to apply.
🔗 Visit: https://www.unesco.org/en/youth/global-youth-community
🔗 Submit your Expression of Interest Form to begin your membership process.
