UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026: Apply for the UN Youth Peacebuilding Programme in Cyprus
Young people living in Cyprus aged 18 to 30 are invited to apply for the United Nations Youth Champions for Environment and Peace Programme 2026 to develop practical skills in environmental peacebuilding and intercommunal cooperation.
Overview
The United Nations Youth Champions for Environment and Peace Programme is a leadership, networking, and community action initiative organized for its sixth year by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in partnership with the British Council through its Youth Connect programme. The 2026 edition brings together young individuals from various communities across Cyprus to learn, collaborate, and implement joint environmental actions that address shared ecological challenges.
Activities take place at Ledra Palace in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia and feature immersive workshops, mentorship, peer networking, small grants for community projects, and a closing event in March 2027.
Benefits
- Free participation in interactive environmental peacebuilding workshops.
- Guidance and support from expert mentors to help develop and implement community-level environmental initiatives.
- Access to small grants provided to teams for the execution of approved environmental actions by February 2027.
- Opportunities to connect with environmental practitioners, peacebuilding experts, and wider youth networks.
- A programme certificate awarded to participants who meet full attendance and implementation requirements.
Eligibility
- Must be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Reside within or belong to any community in Cyprus.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in environmental issues, climate action, and peacebuilding.
- Possess a very good knowledge of English.
- Commit to attending all four mandatory workshop days (3, 4, 10, and 11 October 2026).
- Willingness to collaborate in intercommunal teams and implement a joint environmental action by February 2027.
- Capable of entering the UN buffer zone through relevant crossing points using required documentation.
- Must not have previously benefited from a UN Youth Champions programme.
Note that prior professional or academic experience in environmental activism or peacebuilding is not required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit their details through the official online application system before the deadline.
Deadline
The application deadline is 20 September 2026.