Call for Applications: Youth for Peace – UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme 2025 (10,000 USD grant)

Application Deadline: June 22, 2025, at 23:59 CET (Paris time)

About

UNESCO is inviting applications for the Youth for Peace: Intercultural Leadership Programme 2025, an initiative designed to equip emerging leaders with the knowledge, tools, and networks necessary to promote intercultural dialogue as a pathway to peace and social cohesion.

In a world increasingly shaped by migration, diversity, and complex social dynamics, this programme seeks to empower young leaders to become agents of change. Through intercultural dialogue, participants will learn to address global challenges, foster inclusive communities, and drive forward sustainable peace at local, national, and international levels.

The 2025 edition will run under the theme: “Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using Dialogue to Foster Social Cohesion in a World on the Move.”

Programme Objectives

The Youth for Peace programme is part of UNESCO’s broader initiative, “Road to Peace: Dialogue and Action for Tolerance and Intercultural Understanding.” It aims to:

• Empower young leaders to implement dialogue-based solutions in their communities.
• Build capacities for intercultural leadership.
• Create a global network of youth champions for peace.
• Amplify youth-led contributions to policy, education, and community development.

What the Programme Offers

1. Capacity Building

Participants will undergo a comprehensive learning journey that includes:

• Online Training Workshops: These sessions will cover intercultural leadership, project design, and peacebuilding strategies. They will help participants develop practical skills to create and lead impactful community initiatives.
• Ongoing Learning and Exchange: After the initial training, participants will continue to access knowledge-sharing platforms and peer learning sessions to strengthen their implementation plans and leadership capacities.
• Peer-to-Peer Mentorship: Each participant will receive personalized guidance from experienced mentors who will offer feedback, share expertise, and support project execution.

2. Financial Grants for Community Projects

Following the training phase, participants will be required to develop and submit detailed plans for a community-based project aligned with the programme theme. Projects that meet the selection criteria will receive a grant of 10,000 USD. Participants will be expected to implement their initiatives within a six-month period, with ongoing support through mentorship and training.

3. Global Networking and Long-Term Engagement

Participants will benefit from a range of global engagement opportunities, including:

• Access to the Global Alumni Network: A dedicated space for continued learning, collaboration, and professional development.
• Participation in the Global Youth Dialogue for Peace: A high-level international forum that brings together young leaders and decision-makers to exchange ideas, share best practices, and influence policy.
• Contributions to the UNESCO Global Intercultural Action Observatory: Participants will help document good practices and generate insights that inform policy and education efforts on intercultural leadership and peacebuilding.

Programme Timeline

• September 2025: Online training workshops.
• October 2025: Submission of final community project plans; grant disbursement.
• November 2025 – May 2026: Project implementation phase, supported by mentorship and ongoing training.
• April 2026: In-person participation at the UNESCO Global Youth Leaders Dialogue for Peace in Guangzhou, China, featuring project presentations, networking, and launch of the Alumni Network.
• May 2026: Submission of final project reports.
• From May 2026 onwards: Continued engagement through the Alumni Network and future UNESCO-led opportunities.

Programme Language

The official language of the programme is English. All applications, project proposals, communications, and training sessions will be conducted in English. Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be between 25 and 45 years old as of 1 September 2025.
• Demonstrate a proven record of leadership in their field or community.
• Show a strong commitment to intercultural dialogue and social impact.
• Possess the potential to influence and drive change within their communities.
• Be fully available to participate in all phases of the programme.

Project Requirements

All community-led projects must:

• Align with the theme: “Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using Dialogue to Foster Social Cohesion in a World on the Move.”
• Be locally or nationally focused.
• Be feasible for implementation within six months.
• Be actionable and demonstrate clear potential for impact and sustainability.

Selection Process

Step 1: Application Submission
Applicants must complete and submit the online application form along with all required documents by June 22, 2025, 23:59 CET (Paris time).

Step 2: Pre-Screening
Submissions will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness.

Step 3: Technical Review
A jury of international experts will assess applications based on criteria outlined in the official terms and conditions.

Step 4: Final Selection
Fifty participants will be selected and notified by August 2025.

Apply Now

Are you ready to take the lead in building more inclusive, peaceful communities through intercultural dialogue? Apply for the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme 2025 and become part of a global movement committed to collaboration and transformation.

Visit the official application portal to begin your journey. Ensure you read the Terms and Conditions before submitting your application.

For further information, visit the official UNESCO Youth for Peace webpage.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.