Applications are now officially open for the 2026 UNFPA Young Creators Lab, an exciting virtual regional programme designed to empower young creators and youth-led organizations across Asia and the Pacific with the skills needed to produce reliable, ethical, inclusive, and rights-based digital content.
Organized by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Young Creators Lab aims to equip the next generation of digital storytellers, advocates, influencers, educators, and youth leaders with practical tools to tackle misinformation and create impactful online content around comprehensive sexuality education, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), online safety, healthy relationships, and youth empowerment.
As young people increasingly rely on social media platforms, short-form videos, and digital creators for information about health, relationships, gender, and rights, the need for accurate and responsible online content has become more important than ever. The UNFPA Young Creators Lab responds to this urgent need by building the capacity of young creators to lead positive digital change across the region.
The programme will run fully online from August to October 2026 and will feature nine live interactive sessions delivered every Tuesday at 11:00 AM Bangkok time.
The application deadline is 17 July 2026.
About the UNFPA Young Creators Lab
The UNFPA Young Creators Lab is a regional virtual learning and mentorship programme focused on helping young creators produce trustworthy and engaging digital content for young audiences.
The programme recognizes that digital platforms are now one of the most influential spaces where young people learn about:
- Their bodies and health
- Relationships and consent
- Gender equality
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Rights and inclusion
- Mental wellbeing
- Identity and self-expression
However, alongside the opportunities created by digital media, online spaces also contain misinformation, harmful stereotypes, deepfakes, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, unsafe online practices, and misleading health content.
To address these challenges, UNFPA has created this innovative learning platform to help young creators become responsible digital educators and advocates.
Programme Duration and Format
The 2026 Young Creators Lab will run from August to October 2026 as a fully online programme.
Participants will attend:
- Nine live virtual learning sessions
- Interactive quizzes after every session
- Sprint activities and collaborative learning exercises
- Mentorship opportunities
- Community engagement activities
- Optional capstone project development
All sessions will take place on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM Bangkok time.
What Participants Will Learn
The programme is structured around eight major learning pillars that focus on modern digital communication, ethical content creation, online safety, advocacy, and audience engagement.
1. Digital Comprehensive Sexuality Education Content Production
Participants will learn how to create engaging, accurate, youth-friendly digital content focused on comprehensive sexuality education and life skills.
2. Messaging for Gender Equality and Positive Masculinity
The Lab will help creators understand how to produce content that promotes healthy masculinity, respectful relationships, inclusion, and gender equality.
3. AI Fluency for Creators
Young creators will gain practical exposure to artificial intelligence tools and learn how AI can support responsible content creation, digital storytelling, and communication.
4. Critical Assessment of Misinformation
Participants will learn how to identify misinformation, verify facts, evaluate online claims, and counter harmful narratives related to health and rights.
5. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Safety by Design
The programme will teach online safety principles and strategies for protecting creators and audiences from digital abuse, harassment, and harmful online practices.
6. Universal Design Principles for the Digital Era
Participants will explore inclusive and accessible content design practices to ensure digital materials can reach broader and more diverse audiences.
7. Audience Growth and the Algorithm
Creators will learn strategies for audience engagement, platform growth, visibility, and understanding how social media algorithms impact content performance.
8. Online Voice, Advocacy and Amplification
The programme will support participants in strengthening their digital advocacy skills, public voice, online campaigns, and community impact.
Capstone Project Opportunity
In addition to the training sessions, participants can choose to join an optional capstone project track.
Under mentor guidance, participants may develop:
- A comprehensive sexuality education campaign
- Digital educational content
- Advocacy campaigns
- Multi-creator collaborations
- Amplification toolkits
- Social media storytelling initiatives
Selected capstone projects will be showcased during the programme’s Premiere Day event.
Benefits of the UNFPA Young Creators Lab
Participants selected for the programme will receive numerous professional and educational benefits, including:
Practical Digital Media Skills
Participants will gain hands-on skills in content production, advocacy, digital storytelling, AI literacy, and audience engagement.
Regional Networking Opportunities
Creators from different countries across Asia and the Pacific will connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas.
Mentorship and Guidance
Participants will receive mentorship support while developing projects and strengthening their online impact.
Exposure to International Learning
The programme provides direct learning opportunities connected to a United Nations agency working globally on youth empowerment and reproductive health rights.
UNFPA Completion Certificate
Participants who successfully complete the programme requirements will receive the UNFPA Young Creators Lab Completion Certificate.
Opportunity to Showcase Projects
Capstone projects may be featured during Premiere Day, providing visibility and recognition for participants’ work.
Who Should Apply?
The programme welcomes:
- Young creators aged 18 to 29
- Youth-led organizations
- Emerging digital creators
- Micro creators
- Advocacy content creators
- Youth educators
- Social media storytellers
- Young campaigners and communicators
Importantly, follower count is NOT a selection criterion.
Applicants do not need to be famous influencers or established creators to qualify.
Priority will be given to applicants interested in:
- Comprehensive sexuality education
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Gender equality
- Healthy relationships
- Ethical digital communication
- Positive masculinity
- Safe online engagement
The programme also aims to ensure strong representation across:
- Geography
- Gender
- Disability inclusion
- Diverse youth communities across Asia and the Pacific
Selection Criteria
UNFPA is looking for applicants who demonstrate:
- Passion for positive digital impact
- Ethical and responsible online communication
- Interest in youth-focused advocacy
- Commitment to inclusive and safe content creation
- Willingness to learn and collaborate
Certification Requirements
To graduate from the programme and receive the UNFPA Young Creators Lab Completion Certificate, participants must:
- Attend sessions
- Pass all quizzes
- Complete sprint assignments
- Follow programme community guidelines
The capstone project is optional and not mandatory for certification.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: 17 July 2026
Interested applicants can apply through the official application portal HERE.
Click HERE for more information about the UNFPA Young Creators Lab 2026.
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