2.0
Youth Empowerment Forum 2.0
The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF) 2026 in Switzerland returns for its second edition—larger, more ambitious, and more globally representative than ever before. Organized by the Center for Global Dialogue & Leadership (CGDL), YEF returns to Geneva following the successful inaugural edition held in 2025. This year, the forum will convene 250 young leaders and changemakers for an immersive leadership experience at the heart of global diplomacy and humanitarian action. The program features structured policy dialogues, expert-led workshops, institutional visit to the United Nations Headquarters at the Palais des Nations, and a dedicated program component hosted inside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters. Designed to bridge youth ambition with international systems, YEF 2026 equips participants with the exposure, networks, and institutional insight needed to lead meaningful change locally and globally.
Event Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Event Time
September 04-07, 2026
Total Seats
250
Time to deadline
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
What Happened at the Previous Edition of YEF?
The first edition of Youth Empowerment Forum in 2025 convened 120 exceptional young leaders and changemakers from across the globe in Geneva, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, diplomacy, and cross-cultural collaboration. Delegates engaged in high-level discussions, immersive institutional visits to the United Nations and CERN, and strategic networking within one of the world’s leading diplomatic capitals. The first edition established YEF as a prestigious, impact-driven forum—uniting diverse voices, advancing global youth participation, and setting a new standard for meaningful international engagement.
Program Structure
YEF 2026 offers two distinct yet interconnected leadership pathways, designed to equip our delegates with practical exposure to global systems and humanitarian frameworks.
Global Governance & Diplomatic Leadership Track
Focused on diplomacy, global governance, and multilateral cooperation, this pathway includes:
- High-level workshops and policy simulations
- Expert-led panel discussions on international affairs
- Strategic dialogue sessions on global institutions
- A high level institutional visit to the UN Headquarters in Geneva (Palais des Nations) to learn about UN working and its role in multilateralism
- Interactive briefings on multilateral processes
Participants gain first-hand exposure to international diplomacy within one of the world’s most important global decision-making hubs.
Social Development & Humanitarian Leadership Track
Social Development & Humanitarian Leadership Track
Hosted inside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, this track focuses on humanitarian action, social development, and global responsibility.
This pathway includes:
Hosted inside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, this track focuses on humanitarian action, social development, and global responsibility.
This pathway includes:
- Panel talks and symposium-style discussions
- Insights into humanitarian law and crisis response
- A guided tour of the ICRC headquarters and museum
- Dialogue on conflict resolution and humanitarian innovation
- Panel talks and symposium-style discussions
- Insights into humanitarian law and crisis response
- A guided tour of the ICRC headquarters and museum
- Dialogue on conflict resolution and humanitarian innovation
Delegates will explore how global institutions respond to crises and how youth leadership can shape inclusive and sustainable communities.
Delegates will explore how global institutions respond to crises and how youth leadership can shape inclusive and sustainable communities.
⭐ Empowering Youth Through Global Opportunities
⭐ Join the CGDL Empower Program
⭐ Experience International Learning in Switzerland
⭐ Build Leadership Skills with Global Youth Networks
⭐ Discover New Opportunities for Young Leaders
⭐ Connect, Learn, and Grow with CGDL Empower⭐ Empowering Youth Through Global Opportunities
⭐ Join the CGDL Empower Program
⭐ Experience International Learning in Switzerland
⭐ Build Leadership Skills with Global Youth Networks
⭐ Discover New Opportunities for Young Leaders
⭐ Connect, Learn, and Grow with CGDL Empower
Who Should Apply?
The Youth Empowerment Forum 2026 is open to:
- Students (all backgrounds)
- Young professionals
- NGO and civil society representatives
- Media professionals
- Researchers
- Social entrepreneurs
- Public servants
- Emerging leaders from all sectors
- Doctors, Engineers and social scientists
- Age requirement: 16-46
If you are passionate about global change, international cooperation, social development, or community impact—this forum is for you.
Total 250 Seats
35 Fully Funded
35 Partially Funded
80 Forum Access
100 Self-Funded
35 Fully Funded
35 Partially Funded
80 Forum Access
100 Self-Funded
35 Fully Funded
35 Partially Funded
80 Forum Access
100 Self-Funded
35 Fully Funded
35 Partially Funded
80 Forum Access
100 Self-Funded
35 Fully Funded
35 Partially Funded
80 Forum Access
100 Self-Funded
Scholarship Opportunities
YEF 2026 offers 70 merit-based funded seats, selected through a competitive evaluation process.
Fully Funded Scholarship Includes
Administrative fee $16.99 USD applies.
- Round-trip international airfare support
- 4-star hotel accommodation in Geneva
- Daily breakfasts
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Full conference access
- Visa support documentation
- Airport transfers
- Institutional study visits to United Nations & ICRC Headquarters
- Premium event merchandise
- Global leadership certification
- Access to networking receptions
- Cultural exchange opportunities
Partially Funded Scholarship Includes
Administrative fee $16.99 USD applies.
- 4-star hotel accommodation in Geneva
- Daily breakfasts
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Full conference access
- Visa support documentation
- Airport transfers
- Institutional study visits to United Nations & ICRC Headquarters
- Premium event merchandise
- Global leadership certification
- Networking opportunities
Single application form for the fully and partially funded categories.
Experience It Through Their Words
Funded delegates from our previous edition share how the forum transformed their global perspective.
Guaranteed Participation Categories
For applicants seeking confirmed participation, YEF 2026 offers two guaranteed admission options:
Forum Access
Administrative fee $599 USD applies.
- Full conference access
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Visa support documentation
- Guided visits to UN & ICRC Headquarters
- Global leadership certification
- Premium event merchandise
- Networking opportunities
*(Airfare and accommodation not included.)
Self-Funded Seat
Administrative fee $899 USD applies.
- 4-star hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfasts
- Meals and coffee breaks during forum hours
- Full conference access
- Visa support documentation
- Airport transfers
- Guided visits to UN & ICRC Headquarters
- Premium event merchandise
- Global leadership certification
- Access to networking receptions
*(Airfare not included.)
Visa Invitation Letter
Administrative fee $120 USD applies.
- Official Visa Invitation Letter
- Visa Documents Checklist
- Confirmation of Event Participation
- Embassy Coordination Assistance
Applicants can later upgrade to either forum admission or self funded and the cost of their visa package will be fully adjusted towards the upgrade.
Aligned with Global Youth Frameworks
YEF 2026 aligns with major international youth and development charters, including:
- UN frameworks on Youth, Peace & Security
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- European Union Youth Strategy priorities
The forum strengthens youth participation in global governance and fosters meaningful engagement with international institutions.
This is the heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
This is the heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
This is the heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
UN SDGs Action Grant – $1000 USD
As part of our commitment to real-world change, YEF 2026 will award a $1,000 USD Impact Grant to support a delegate-led initiative.
The selected project may focus on any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and must demonstrate measurable community impact.
This initiative transforms dialogue into action—ensuring that ideas developed in Geneva create tangible change worldwide.
This is the heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Selection Process & Criteria
Scholarship selections follow a transparent, rubric-based evaluation model, assessing:
Motivation and clarity of purpose
Demonstrated community impact
Leadership potential
Alignment with global priorities
Geographic diversity
Professional and academic background
CGDL ensures representation from diverse regions and sectors to foster meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.
Why YEF 2026 Matters
Global Governance Hub
- Direct exposure to international institutions
- Elite global networking
- Credible international certification
- Cross-border collaboration opportunities
- Visibility in a prestigious multilateral environment
Global Policy Careers
- International diplomacy
- Multilateral organizations
- Public policy
- Global NGOs
- Social entrepreneurship
Global Governance Hub
- Direct exposure to international institutions
- Elite global networking
- Credible international certification
- Cross-border collaboration opportunities
- Visibility in a prestigious multilateral environment
Global Policy Careers
- International diplomacy
- Multilateral organizations
- Public policy
- Global NGOs
- Social entrepreneurship
Frequently Asked questions
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast