Youth For Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme 2025 – Call For Applications (Grant Upto $10,000)

Essential Programme Information

Organiser: UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Programme Title: Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme
Application Deadline: 22 June 2025, 23:59 CET (Paris time)
Programme Start Date: September 2025
Programme Language: English
Location: Primarily Online (In-person event in Guangzhou, China – April 2026)
Financial Support: $10,000 USD Community Project Grant + mentorship
Apply Online: Submit Application Here

Programme Overview

The Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme 2025 is an innovative global initiative designed to identify, train, and empower a cohort of young leaders who are using intercultural dialogue as a transformative force to solve the world’s most pressing social and political challenges.

The inaugural edition of this programme invites changemakers to participate under the theme:
“Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using Dialogue to Foster Social Cohesion in a World on the Move.”

This year’s programme will equip a select group of 50 leaders with the knowledge, skills, networks, and financial resources to implement community projects that promote peace, understanding, and resilience through intercultural engagement. Participants will emerge from the experience empowered to shape policies, drive inclusive development, and lead social transformation in their respective contexts.

Programme Objectives

Empower young leaders to leverage intercultural dialogue as a strategy for community-level impact
Enhance leadership capacity through strategic capacity-building workshops
Foster a global, connected network of intercultural peace advocates
Support the design, implementation, and scaling of locally rooted community projects
Institutionalize youth-driven practices and perspectives into global peacebuilding and policy discourse

Programme Components

1. Capacity-Building Activities

This component provides practical knowledge and tools to implement dialogue-based strategies for peace, cohesion, and development:

Online Training Workshops (September 2025): Strategic training sessions delivered by global experts in leadership, social change, conflict resolution, and intercultural communication.
Ongoing Learning and Exchange: Reinforcement of core skills through follow-up sessions, interactive webinars, and a resource-sharing platform.
Peer-to-Peer Mentorship: Monthly coaching by experienced mentors, complemented by peer feedback and community learning circles.

2. Financial Grant Support

Participants will design a community-based project addressing the 2025 programme theme. On successful proposal submission, each participant will receive:

USD 10,000 grant to implement their project locally or nationally
Continuous mentorship and peer support throughout the implementation period (November 2025 – May 2026)
Opportunity to present results and engage in policy dialogue with global stakeholders

3. Global Recognition and Long-Term Impact

Selected leaders will join a broader movement for youth-led peacebuilding supported by UNESCO:

Global Youth Dialogue for Peace (April 2026): In-person convening in Guangzhou, China. Includes project exhibitions, interactive dialogues with high-level leaders, and networking.
Launch of the Global Alumni Network: Lifelong access to fellow participants and experts driving intercultural leadership globally.
Visibility through the UNESCO Intercultural Action Observatory: Platform to share best practices and project insights with a global audience.
Opportunities for Ongoing Advocacy and Engagement: Inclusion in UNESCO policy working groups, campaigns, and partnership events.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Youth for Peace programme, applicants must:

Be aged 25–45 as of 1 September 2025
Demonstrate proven leadership experience in their field, especially in areas such as social justice, education, peacebuilding, cultural affairs, or community development
Show a strong commitment to intercultural dialogue and inclusion
Possess a clear vision for how dialogue can be applied to address local or national cohesion challenges
Be available to fully participate in all programme components, including online training, project implementation, and the Global Dialogue Forum in China

Project Requirements

Submitted project proposals must:

Clearly reflect the theme: “Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future”
Focus on social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and inclusion
Be feasible within a six-month implementation timeline (Nov 2025 – May 2026)
Be scalable and have demonstrable local or national relevance
Include measurable indicators of impact and sustainability

Selection Process

Selection will be based on merit, innovation, commitment, and alignment with the programme’s strategic priorities. The application and review process includes:

Step 1: Application Submission

Candidates must complete the official online application form and upload required documents by June 22, 2025 (23:59 CET)

Step 2: Pre-Screening

Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness

Step 3: Technical Review

An international panel of experts will evaluate submissions using a rubric detailed in the Terms and Conditions

Step 4: Final Selection and Notification

Final 50 participants will be notified of selection by August 2025

Programme Timeline

June 22, 2025: Deadline to submit online application
August 2025: Selected applicants notified and onboarded
September 2025: Online Training Workshops begin
October 2025: Project plans finalized and grants disbursed
November 2025 – May 2026: Project implementation phase
April 2026: Global Youth Dialogue for Peace event in Guangzhou, China
May 2026: Final project reports submitted
Post May 2026: Continuous involvement through alumni activities and global peace initiatives

Programme Benefits

Intensive capacity building with leading international trainers and practitioners
Unrestricted grant of USD 10,000 for project execution
High visibility for youth-led work at a global stage
Lifetime membership in UNESCO’s Global Alumni Network
Enhanced credibility and recognition as a peacebuilder
Access to platforms influencing global peace, cohesion, and cultural understanding
Contribution to the UNESCO Global Intercultural Action Observatory

How to Apply

Interested individuals should submit an online application using the official portal:

▶️ Apply Here: https://www.unesco.org/en/interculturaldialogue/youthforpeace

Documents Required:

Completed online form (including personal details and project proposal overview)
CV or professional résumé
Letter of motivation (max 500 words)
Proof of age (passport/national ID)
Any previous awards, recognitions, or project documentation (optional but recommended)

Language of Submission: All materials must be submitted in English.

Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme 2025 – Call for Applications (Grant Upto $10,000)

Contact and Support

For further information or assistance with the application process, contact:

UNESCO Intercultural Dialogue Unit
Website: www.unesco.org
Email: (see application portal for inquiry instructions)

Additional Engagement

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