Youth Side Program 2026 in Berlin, Germany: Fully Funded Global Health Advocacy Opportunity for Young Leaders at the World Health Summit

Applications are now open for the Youth Side Program 2026, a unique international global health advocacy initiative taking place alongside the prestigious World Health Summit (WHS) 2026 in Berlin, Germany. Organized by the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) under the German Medical Students’ Association (bvmd), the Youth Side Program is designed to empower the next generation of youth advocates, health leaders, and changemakers passionate about advancing equity, inclusion, and innovation in global health.

The programme offers selected participants the opportunity to attend advocacy training sessions, engage with leading experts in public health and global health policy, network with young leaders from around the world, and participate directly in the World Health Summit 2026.

Since its launch in 2022, the Youth Side Program has trained more than 100 youth advocates from over 20 countries, creating a growing international network of young professionals and activists working toward a more just and inclusive global health landscape.

The programme is specifically designed for young people who are eager to strengthen their advocacy skills, engage with policymakers, and contribute meaningfully to conversations shaping the future of healthcare, health systems, and public health globally.

About the Youth Side Program 2026

The Youth Side Program is a youth-led initiative created to amplify youth voices in global health spaces and ensure that young people are actively involved in shaping international health discussions.

The programme runs alongside the World Health Summit, one of the world’s leading strategic forums for global health. The summit convenes:

• Policymakers
• Health professionals
• Researchers
• Civil society leaders
• International organizations
• Academic institutions
• Youth advocates

The Youth Side Program complements the summit by preparing participants with the knowledge, confidence, advocacy skills, and networking opportunities needed to engage effectively in global health policy conversations.

The initiative focuses strongly on:

• Youth engagement
• Advocacy capacity-building
• Public health education
• Communication skills
• Leadership development
• International collaboration
• Equity and inclusion in healthcare systems

Why the Youth Side Program Matters

Young people are increasingly at the center of conversations about:

• Health equity
• Pandemic preparedness
• Mental health
• Climate and health
• Universal health coverage
• Health system resilience
• Health policy reform

However, many youth advocates still face barriers to meaningful participation in international policymaking spaces.

The Youth Side Program seeks to bridge this gap by:

• Equipping participants with advocacy tools
• Strengthening youth-led global health networks
• Increasing youth visibility at major international events
• Supporting meaningful intergenerational dialogue
• Creating pathways for long-term engagement in global health leadership

The programme recognizes that sustainable health systems require the voices, ideas, and leadership of young people from diverse backgrounds and regions.

Programme Dates and Location

Location

Berlin, Germany

Programme Schedule

Youth Pre-World Health Summit

Dates:
9–10 October 2026

Participants will attend intensive advocacy and training sessions beginning at 9:00 AM each day.

World Health Summit 2026

Dates:
11–13 October 2026

Participants will then join the main World Health Summit activities, with sessions continuing until approximately 10:00 PM daily.

Full attendance throughout the programme is mandatory.

What Participants Will Receive

Selected participants will gain access to a highly valuable global health learning and networking experience.

1. Ticket to the World Health Summit 2026

Participants receive official access to the World Health Summit, one of the most influential global health conferences worldwide.

The summit brings together:

• Ministers of health
• WHO representatives
• Public health experts
• Researchers
• NGOs
• Youth leaders
• International development organizations

This gives participants direct exposure to high-level discussions on major global health priorities.

2. Advocacy Training and Capacity Building

Participants will engage in advocacy-focused training sessions before the summit.

Topics may include:

• Introduction to global health
• Youth engagement strategies
• Health advocacy
• Leadership development
• Communication skills
• Public speaking
• Policy engagement
• Networking and coalition building

These sessions are delivered by:

• Experienced youth advocates
• Public health professionals
• Researchers
• Academics
• Global health experts

3. International Networking Opportunities

Participants will connect with:

• Youth advocates from different countries
• Global health professionals
• Policymakers
• Researchers
• International organizations

These connections may support future collaborations, projects, and leadership opportunities.

4. Visibility and Representation

Participants become part of a growing global network of youth advocates working to influence international health systems and policy discussions.

The programme actively supports:

• Youth representation
• Inclusion
• Diverse perspectives
• Cross-cultural collaboration

5. Leadership Development

The Youth Side Program helps participants strengthen:

• Confidence
• Leadership capacity
• Strategic thinking
• Policy engagement skills
• Advocacy techniques

These skills are highly valuable for careers in:

• Public health
• Medicine
• International development
• NGOs
• Research
• Health policy
• Community advocacy

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to young people with a strong interest in global health.

Applicants must:

• Be 27 years old or younger
• Be born after October 13, 1998
• Demonstrate strong interest in public health and global health
• Be able to attend the full programme in Berlin
• Commit to full participation during all sessions

The organizers welcome applicants from:

• Diverse countries
• Different academic backgrounds
• Various professional experiences
• Youth-led organizations
• Community initiatives
• Advocacy networks

Ideal Candidates

The programme is especially suitable for:

• Medical students
• Public health students
• Young researchers
• Youth advocates
• NGO volunteers
• Community organizers
• Early-career health professionals
• Students interested in international development
• Young leaders passionate about health equity

Applicants with experience in:

• Advocacy
• Community engagement
• Public health campaigns
• Youth organizing
• Leadership initiatives
  may have an advantage during the selection process.

Important Note About AI-Generated Applications

The organizers clearly emphasize that applications should reflect genuine personal motivation and reasoning.

According to the application guidelines:

• AI-generated answers are unlikely to score highly
• Selected candidates may undergo interviews
• AI-recognition software may be used during the review process

Applicants are therefore encouraged to:

• Write authentically
• Share personal experiences
• Demonstrate real passion for global health
• Provide thoughtful and original responses

Application Deadline

14 June 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST

Late applications may not be considered, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the Official Online Application Form and provide all requested information.

Applicants should prepare to answer questions related to:

• Motivation
• Leadership experience
• Interest in global health
• Advocacy work
• Community engagement
• Availability for full participation

Why You Should Apply

The Youth Side Program 2026 offers much more than conference participation.

It provides:

• Global exposure
• Leadership development
• Policy engagement opportunities
• Advocacy training
• International networking
• Career growth
• Real-world global health experience

For young people interested in shaping the future of health systems and contributing to international health policy conversations, this programme offers a powerful platform for learning and impact.

Click HERE to learn more about the Youth Side Program 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at youthsideprogram@bvmd.de
All the best in your applications!

Conclusion

The Youth Side Program 2026 in Berlin represents a major opportunity for emerging youth leaders passionate about global health, advocacy, equity, and policy change.

By bringing together young advocates from around the world, the initiative helps strengthen youth participation in one of the most important global health forums internationally.

If you are committed to creating healthier, more inclusive, and more equitable societies, this programme could be an important step in your leadership journey.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before the June 14, 2026 deadline.

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