UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026 for South Caucasus and Central Asia: Fully Funded UN Peacebuilding Leadership Programme for Young Changemakers

Applications are now open for the 9th edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026, a prestigious international peace education and leadership initiative designed to empower young leaders from the South Caucasus and Central Asia. This highly competitive programme provides selected participants with the knowledge, practical skills, mentorship, and international networks needed to promote peace, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and the prevention of violent extremism within their communities.

Organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the programme targets young people aged 18 to 25 who are passionate about peacebuilding, community development, youth engagement, intercultural understanding, and social transformation. Through a combination of online learning, in-person training, project implementation, and international networking opportunities, participants become part of a growing global network of young peacebuilders working to create more inclusive and peaceful societies.

The Young Peacebuilders Programme has become one of UNAOC’s flagship youth initiatives, equipping emerging leaders with the tools and confidence to address polarization, prejudice, discrimination, and violent extremism while fostering meaningful dialogue among diverse communities.

About the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a United Nations initiative dedicated to improving understanding and cooperation among nations, cultures, religions, and communities worldwide.

UNAOC works to:

• Promote intercultural dialogue
• Strengthen mutual understanding
• Prevent conflict
• Encourage peaceful coexistence
• Support youth empowerment
• Build inclusive societies
• Combat stereotypes and discrimination

Through its various global programmes, UNAOC supports young leaders, civil society organizations, governments, educational institutions, and international partners in creating sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social challenges.

The Young Peacebuilders Programme is one of UNAOC’s most impactful youth-focused initiatives and has helped hundreds of young leaders become agents of positive change in their communities.

About the Young Peacebuilders Programme

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme is a comprehensive peace education initiative that combines leadership development, practical training, mentorship, intercultural learning, and community action.

The programme is specifically designed to equip young people with:

• Peacebuilding skills
• Conflict transformation knowledge
• Leadership competencies
• Intercultural communication abilities
• Project management experience
• Community engagement techniques

Participants learn how to identify and address the root causes of conflict, polarization, exclusion, and violent extremism while promoting inclusive and peaceful societies.

The programme goes beyond theoretical learning by requiring participants to apply their knowledge through practical community-based peace projects.

2026 Programme Focus

The 9th edition of the programme focuses on young leaders from:

South Caucasus

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia

Central Asia

• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

The programme seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and youth-led peacebuilding efforts by bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and communities.

Through dialogue and collaboration, participants will gain a deeper understanding of common challenges and opportunities for promoting peace and social cohesion.

A Comprehensive Peacebuilding Learning Journey

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme offers a structured and immersive learning experience.

Selected participants will engage in four major components:

1. Online Learning Phase

Participants will begin their journey through a series of facilitated online educational modules.

These modules cover key topics including:

• Peacebuilding
• Conflict transformation
• Intercultural dialogue
• Social cohesion
• Leadership development
• Human rights
• Community engagement
• Prevention of violent extremism

The online component allows participants to build foundational knowledge while connecting with peers from across the region.

2. Intensive One-Week In-Person Workshop

Participants will then take part in an intensive face-to-face training workshop.

The workshop provides opportunities for:

• Interactive learning
• Practical exercises
• Group discussions
• Case studies
• Leadership training
• Networking
• Peer exchange

The in-person experience helps participants deepen their understanding of peacebuilding methodologies while building meaningful relationships with fellow changemakers.

3. Community Peace Projects

One of the most impactful aspects of the programme is the design and implementation of community-level peace projects.

Participants will:

• Identify local challenges
• Design solutions
• Apply newly acquired skills
• Implement peacebuilding initiatives
• Engage community stakeholders
• Promote social cohesion

This practical component allows participants to become force multipliers by extending the programme’s impact beyond the classroom.

4. Results-Sharing Symposium

The programme concludes with a results-sharing symposium where participants present:

• Their projects
• Key achievements
• Lessons learned
• Recommendations
• Future plans

The symposium brings together:

• Policymakers
• Government representatives
• Civil society organizations
• International institutions
• Media professionals
• Peacebuilding practitioners

This platform provides visibility for youth-led initiatives while creating opportunities for continued collaboration.

Peace4Culture Global Call Framework

The Young Peacebuilders Programme operates under the Peace4Culture Global Call framework.

The Peace4Culture initiative was launched in 2022 by:

• The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

The initiative recognizes the vital role of culture, dialogue, and mutual understanding in promoting sustainable peace.

Its objectives include:

• Celebrating cultural diversity
• Strengthening peaceful societies
• Promoting intercultural cooperation
• Enhancing social resilience
• Addressing contemporary global challenges

The programme contributes directly to these objectives by empowering youth leaders who can drive positive change within their communities.

What Participants Will Learn

Participants will develop practical skills in:

Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

• Conflict analysis
• Mediation
• Dialogue facilitation
• Consensus building

Leadership Development

• Strategic leadership
• Ethical leadership
• Youth advocacy
• Community mobilization

Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue

• Cross-cultural communication
• Religious diversity engagement
• Building trust across communities

Prevention of Violent Extremism

• Understanding drivers of extremism
• Community resilience building
• Inclusive approaches to prevention

Project Design and Implementation

• Project planning
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Stakeholder engagement
• Resource mobilization

Public Communication and Advocacy

• Public speaking
• Campaign development
• Storytelling
• Social impact communication

Benefits of the Programme

Selected participants will receive numerous benefits.

Comprehensive Peacebuilding Training

Participants gain access to high-quality peace education delivered by experienced facilitators and practitioners.

International Networking Opportunities

Participants become part of a regional and global network of young changemakers.

Mentorship and Guidance

The programme provides ongoing mentorship and support throughout the learning journey.

Practical Project Experience

Participants receive opportunities to implement real-world community initiatives.

Exposure to Policymakers and International Organizations

The programme connects youth leaders with influential decision-makers and practitioners.

Increased Visibility

Participants gain recognition for their work and contributions to peacebuilding.

Long-Term Engagement Opportunities

Graduates become part of UNAOC’s broader youth network and future opportunities.

Programme Impact

Since its inception, the Young Peacebuilders Programme has:

• Empowered 155 young leaders
• Reached participants from 58 countries
• Built a strong international peacebuilding network
• Supported youth-led initiatives worldwide

The programme continues to expand its impact by equipping new generations of leaders with skills and opportunities to advance peace.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 25 years old
• Be from the South Caucasus or Central Asia region
• Demonstrate a strong interest in peacebuilding
• Show commitment to intercultural dialogue
• Be interested in community engagement
• Be willing to participate fully in all programme phases
• Demonstrate leadership potential

Applicants with experience in:

• Youth work
• Community service
• Advocacy
• Civil society
• Education
• Social initiatives

are especially encouraged to apply.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is ideal for:

• Youth activists
• Community leaders
• Students
• Recent graduates
• Civil society volunteers
• Human rights advocates
• Social entrepreneurs
• Peacebuilding practitioners
• Youth organization members

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026 is:

July 31, 2026

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications early.

How to Apply

Applicants should review the Official Application Guidelines and complete the Online Application Form through the UNAOC Application Portal.

Why You Should Apply

In a world increasingly affected by division, polarization, and conflict, young people have a critical role to play in promoting peace, inclusion, and understanding.

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme offers a unique opportunity to:

• Build leadership skills
• Learn from experts
• Join an international network
• Implement community initiatives
• Influence positive social change

For young leaders seeking to make a lasting impact in their communities and contribute to a more peaceful world, this programme represents an exceptional opportunity for growth, learning, and action.

Click HERE to learn more about the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026.

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