Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026 | Apply by 20 September
The Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026 programme is inviting young people living in Cyprus to join an intercommunal youth initiative focused on environmental peacebuilding, sustainability, dialogue, and joint environmental action.
Organised through the regional Youth Connect programme, in collaboration with UNFICYP, the programme will bring together young people from different communities in Cyprus for an immersive workshop at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia.
Participants will develop the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to work together on environmental challenges and develop action plans that can contribute to a more peaceful, sustainable, cohesive, and resilient Cyprus.
The programme will take place on 3, 4, 10 and 11 October 2026, with environmental actions expected to be implemented by February 2027.
Participation is free.
About the Youth Champions for Environment and Peace Programme
The Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme focuses on the connection between environmental challenges and peacebuilding.
Climate change, environmental degradation, resource pressures, insecurity, and inequality can affect communities in different ways. The programme seeks to empower young people to work across community divisions and develop practical responses to shared environmental concerns.
Through workshops, group activities, discussions, mentoring, and action planning, participants will have the opportunity to learn from environmental and peace activists while collaborating with other young people from across Cyprus.
The programme is designed to strengthen:
- Environmental awareness
- Peacebuilding skills
- Social cohesion
- Intercommunal trust
- Inclusive leadership
- Critical thinking
- Confidence
- Adaptability
- Environmental cooperation
- Sustainable development
Participants will also become part of a wider network of Youth Champions for Environment and Peace, connecting them with local and international organisations, activists, and other young people working on related issues.
What the Programme Will Involve
The programme consists of an immersive in-person workshop followed by the development and implementation of environmental actions.
1. Immersive Workshop
The workshop will take place on:
3, 4, 10 and 11 October 2026
at the:
Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia
The sessions will focus on joint learning and collaboration between participants from different communities.
The workshop will include:
- Interactive learning sessions
- Group work
- Discussions with environmental activists
- Discussions with peacebuilding activists
- Team-building activities
- Development of environmental action ideas
- Opportunities to build relationships with other participants
During the group work, participants will form teams and work together to develop environmental actions with support from the programme team.
Participation on all four workshop days is mandatory.
Environmental Action Projects
Following the workshop, participants will be expected to finalise their environmental action plans and submit a simple proposal for funding.
Each team will receive a small grant to implement its action, with support from a mentor and experts.
The environmental actions must be implemented by:
February 2027
The actions should reach people across the divide and may take place throughout Cyprus.
This component gives participants an opportunity to move beyond discussions and turn their ideas into practical environmental initiatives.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is specifically seeking dynamic and passionate young people who are living in Cyprus and are interested in contributing to a peaceful and sustainable future.
Applicants must:
- Be 18–30 years old.
- Be from any community and be living in Cyprus.
- Have an interest in the environment and peacebuilding.
- Be interested in becoming active in environmental and peacebuilding issues.
- Have an interest in contributing to a peaceful and sustainable future in Cyprus.
- Be committed and motivated to participate actively throughout the entire workshop.
- Be willing to work as part of a team to develop and implement an environmental action.
- Have a very good knowledge of English.
- Be willing to develop interpersonal relationships with participants from all communities living in Cyprus.
- Be interested in working together with others toward a common cause.
Previous Experience Is Not Required
Applicants do not need previous experience in environmental peacebuilding or environmental activism.
The programme is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, tools, and support required to develop their own environmental actions.
However, applicants should demonstrate genuine interest in environmental issues, peacebuilding, cooperation, and creating a sustainable future for Cyprus.
Previous Youth Champions Participants
The call is specifically open to people who did not benefit from previous UN Youth Champions programmes.
Applicants who have previously participated in a UN Youth Champions programme should therefore carefully consider this requirement before applying.
Gender and Community Representation
The organisers aim to promote gender diversity and equal representation among young people from all communities in Cyprus.
This reflects the programme’s broader objective of encouraging dialogue, cooperation, trust-building, and joint action among young people from different communities.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Nicosia may be available on 3 and 10 October, depending on demand.
However, accommodation availability is limited and subject to confirmation.
Applicants should therefore not assume that accommodation will automatically be provided and should consider this when planning their participation.
Important Access Requirement
All programme activities will take place at the Ledra Palace Hotel, which is located in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia.
Participation is therefore dependent on the applicant’s ability to enter the UN buffer zone in Nicosia.
The organisers note that the respective sides have authority over entry from the crossing points, rather than the UN.
Applicants should ensure that they have the required documentation to enter the buffer zone before applying.
Certificate of Participation
Participants who attend all four days of the workshop and actively contribute to the environmental actions will receive a certificate of participation.
Benefits of Participating
The Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme provides participants with an opportunity to gain practical experience while contributing to environmental and peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus.
Participants can:
Develop Environmental Peacebuilding Skills
Learn how environmental challenges can be addressed through cooperation, dialogue, and peacebuilding.
Work Across Communities
Build relationships and collaborate with young people from different communities in Cyprus.
Develop an Environmental Action
Work in a team to design an environmental initiative addressing a common concern.
Receive Mentorship
Receive support from mentors and experts while developing and implementing an environmental action.
Access Small-Grant Support
Teams will receive a small grant to support implementation of their environmental action following the workshop.
Strengthen Leadership Skills
Develop confidence, adaptability, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and inclusive leadership abilities.
Expand Your Network
Connect with local and international organisations, activists, experts, trainers, and members of the Youth Champions network.
Programme Schedule
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Workshop Day 1 | 3 October 2026 |
| Workshop Day 2 | 4 October 2026 |
| Workshop Day 3 | 10 October 2026 |
| Workshop Day 4 | 11 October 2026 |
| Environmental Actions | By February 2027 |
Location: Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia, Cyprus
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is:
Sunday, 20 September 2026 at 23:00 EEST
Applicants should submit their applications before the stated deadline.
The organisers aim to notify successful applicants by 23 September 2026. Selected participants will then receive a detailed programme for the workshop.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should complete the official online application form before the deadline.
Application Form: Apply for Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace
Participation in the programme is free.
For further information or enquiries, applicants can contact:
UNFICYP: unficyp-youthchampions@un.org
Application Tips
Before submitting your application, applicants should:
- Confirm your age and location: Make sure you are aged 18–30 and currently living in Cyprus.
- Check the workshop dates: Participation on 3, 4, 10 and 11 October is mandatory.
- Demonstrate genuine motivation: Explain your interest in environmental issues, peacebuilding, and a sustainable future for Cyprus.
- Highlight relevant interests: Previous environmental activism is not required, but applicants should demonstrate an interest in environmental and peacebuilding issues.
- Show your willingness to collaborate: The programme specifically involves working with participants from different communities.
- Check your access requirements: Make sure you have the documentation needed to enter the UN buffer zone in Nicosia.
- Apply before the deadline: Submit your application by 20 September 2026 at 23:00 EEST.
Conclusion
The Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026 programme offers young people living in Cyprus an opportunity to combine environmental action with peacebuilding and intercommunal cooperation.
Through an immersive four-day workshop, participants will learn from experts and activists, develop relationships across communities, form teams, and create environmental action plans. Selected teams will then receive small grants and mentorship to implement their initiatives by February 2027.
The programme is open to young people aged 18–30 from all communities living in Cyprus, and previous experience in environmental peacebuilding is not required.
Interested applicants should ensure they can commit to all four workshop days and meet the programme’s access requirements before applying.
Application deadline: 20 September 2026 at 23:00 EEST.
Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.
Share this:
Discover more from Opportunities for Youth
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
