UNESCO has extended applications for the second edition of its Youth for Peace: Intercultural Leadership Programme, giving emerging leaders worldwide until 26 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST to compete for one of 50 places.

This is not a university scholarship, paid job or unrestricted $10,000 personal award. It is an international leadership and project-development programme for people already working to strengthen dialogue, inclusion, peace and social cohesion. Selected participants receive training, mentorship, global networking and up to USD 10,000 in seed funding to implement an approved community initiative under the 2026 theme, Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

UNESCO Youth for Peace Programme 2026 at a Glance

The programme is UNESCO’s flagship leadership initiative for emerging changemakers working to build peace, social cohesion and intercultural understanding through dialogue.

What Will the 50 Selected Leaders Receive?

Unlike many international leadership programmes that only provide training, UNESCO expects participants to design, implement and evaluate real projects that create measurable community impact.

Selected participants receive three major benefits.

1# Leadership Development

Participants complete an intensive online learning journey covering:

• Intercultural leadership
• Strategic communication
• Conflict transformation
• Adaptive leadership
• Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence
• Designing high-impact community initiatives

2# USD 10,000 Seed Funding

Each participant whose action plan receives approval will obtain USD 10,000 to implement an intercultural dialogue project. The funding is project funding, not a salary or personal grant. The initiative must:

• Align with the 2026 programme theme
• Use intercultural dialogue as its core methodology
• Be implemented within six months
• Produce measurable community outcomes

3# UNESCO Global Network

Participants also receive:

• Individual mentorship
• Peer learning
• International networking
• Participation in UNESCO’s Global Youth Dialogue for Peace
• Membership of the Youth for Peace Global Alumni Network
• Opportunities to contribute to UNESCO policy discussions

What Kind of Projects Does UNESCO Want?

The 2026 theme is: Human Connection and Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Many applicants mistakenly believe UNESCO wants technical AI projects and it does not. Instead, UNESCO wants projects that use dialogue to help societies respond to challenges created—or opportunities opened—by AI. Examples include:

• Fighting online hate speech
• Countering misinformation
• Reducing digital discrimination
• Promoting AI literacy
• Supporting multilingual communities
• Protecting cultural heritage using AI
• Building trust across divided communities
• Increasing digital inclusion
• Improving communication between different cultural or religious groups

Projects should focus on people first and technology second.

Who Can Apply for UNESCO Youth of Peace Award?

Applicants interested in UNESCO Youth of peace scholarship programme must:

• Be between 25 and 45 years old on 22 October 2026
• Demonstrate an established leadership record
• Show commitment to peace and intercultural dialogue
• Have experience creating positive social impact
• Be willing to participate throughout every programme phase
• Complete the six-month implementation period

The programme welcomes applicants from every region of the world. No nationality restrictions have been announced.

Do You Need an NGO or Organisation?

No. Many discussions on Reddit and professional networks show applicants worrying that UNESCO only selects NGO directors. That is incorrect. The application is submitted by an individual and the applicants may work in:

• NGOs
• Universities
• Schools
• Government
• Social enterprises
• Technology
• Journalism
• Community organisations
• Arts and culture
• Peacebuilding
• Independent initiatives

However, applicants should demonstrate that they have sufficient community connections and implementation capacity to successfully deliver their proposed initiative.

Is a University Degree Required for UNESCO Youth of Peace Programme?

UNESCO does not specify any minimum academic qualification. Applicants are evaluated on leadership, community impact and the quality of their proposed initiative rather than their university degree.

Someone with years of demonstrated community leadership may therefore be more competitive than a recent graduate with excellent academic results but little practical experience.

Is IELTS Required?

No. UNESCO does not require IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo or any other English-language test certificate. Instead, applicants simply confirm that they possess professional working proficiency in English.

This is important because:

• The application is completed in English.
• Training sessions are conducted in English.
• Mentorship activities use English.
• Project reports and programme communications are prepared in English.

Applicants should therefore only apply if they are genuinely comfortable communicating professionally in English.

Can Applicants Use ChatGPT or Other AI Tools?

Yes. Interestingly, UNESCO openly permits applicants to use AI tools for support during the scholarship application process. Applicants may use AI to:

• Organise ideas
• Improve grammar
• Refine writing
• Increase clarity

However, UNESCO makes one requirement very clear. The final application must genuinely represent the applicant’s own experiences, motivations and leadership journey. Applications that appear generic, fabricated or lacking authentic personal engagement may be rejected.

The strongest strategy is to use AI as an editor—not as the author.

Is Travel Under UNESCO Peace Scholarship Fully Funded?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions online. The programme includes participation in the UNESCO Global Youth Dialogue for Peace planned in Guangzhou, China.

However, the public programme information does not clearly guarantee that airfare, accommodation, visas and all travel costs will automatically be covered for every participant. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that international travel is fully funded unless UNESCO confirms the travel arrangements during the selection process.

The USD 10,000 seed funding is intended for the approved community project, not for personal travel expenses.

How Competitive Is the Programme?

Competition is expected to be exceptionally strong. The previous edition attracted more than 8,000 applications from over 110 countries, while only 50 participants were selected.

That represents a selection rate of well below one percent. Applicants therefore need more than enthusiasm and strong applications usually demonstrate:

• A clearly defined community problem
• Evidence of previous leadership
• Real achievements rather than future promises
• A practical six-month implementation plan
• Measurable outcomes
• Strong alignment with the programme theme
• A realistic budget suitable for USD 10,000

The strongest candidates convince reviewers that they can transform dialogue into measurable social change.

How to Apply?

Complete UNESCO’s official online application before the deadline. Upload the required CV, prepare the project introduction video and answer every mandatory question carefully.

Applications first undergo eligibility screening before being evaluated by an international jury. Only the final cohort of 50 emerging leaders and selected reserve candidates will be notified around mid-October 2026.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme 2026 is 26 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST.