Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026 – Apply by 20 September

 

Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace

Apply for the Youth Connect: Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026 programme, a fully supported intercommunal youth initiative for young people aged 18–30 living in Cyprus. Organised through the regional Youth Connect programme in collaboration with UNFICYP, this free opportunity brings together young people from different communities for an immersive four-day workshop at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia. Participants will build environmental peacebuilding skills, develop action plans, and implement real environmental projects supported by small grants and mentorship. The workshop takes place on 3, 4, 10 and 11 October 2026, with environmental actions to be completed by February 2027. No previous experience in environmental activism is required. Participants who complete all four days receive a certificate of participation. The programme promotes gender diversity, social cohesion, and intercommunal trust.

Overview

Criteria	Details
Programme	Youth Champions for Environment and Peace 2026
Organisers	Youth Connect programme + UNFICYP
Location	Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia, Cyprus
Eligibility	Young people aged 18–30 living in Cyprus
Cost	Free participation
Workshop Dates	3, 4, 10 and 11 October 2026
Actions Deadline	February 2027
Application Deadline	20 September 2026 (23:00 EEST)

About the Programme

The Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme focuses on the connection between environmental challenges and peacebuilding. It invites young people living in Cyprus to join an intercommunal youth initiative centred on environmental peacebuilding, sustainability, dialogue, and joint environmental action.

Climate change, environmental degradation, resource pressures, insecurity, and inequality affect communities in different ways. The programme empowers young people to work across community divisions and develop practical responses to shared environmental concerns through workshops, group activities, discussions, mentoring, and action planning.

Participants learn directly from environmental and peace activists while collaborating with other young people from across Cyprus, and become part of a wider network of Youth Champions connecting them with local and international organisations.

For young people exploring other funded opportunities, you may also be interested in the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program for early-career researchers.

Skills Developed

Area	Focus
Environmental awareness	Understanding shared environmental challenges
Peacebuilding	Cooperation and dialogue across divisions
Social cohesion	Building intercommunal trust
Inclusive leadership	Confidence, adaptability, critical thinking
Sustainable development	Turning ideas into practical action

What the Programme Involves

The programme consists of an immersive in-person workshop followed by the development and implementation of environmental actions.

1. Immersive Workshop

Held on 3, 4, 10 and 11 October 2026 at the Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia, the workshop includes:

• Interactive learning sessions
• Group work and team-building activities
• Discussions with environmental and peacebuilding activists
• Development of environmental action ideas
• Relationship-building with participants from different communities

⚠️ Participation on all four workshop days is mandatory.

2. Environmental Action Projects

Following the workshop, participants finalise their action plans and submit a simple proposal for funding. Each team receives a small grant to implement its action, supported by a mentor and experts. Actions must be implemented by February 2027 and should reach people across the divide throughout Cyprus.

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age	18–30 years old
Residence	Living in Cyprus, from any community
Interest	Environment and peacebuilding
Commitment	Active participation across all four days
Teamwork	Willing to develop and implement an action as a team
Language	Very good knowledge of English
Access	Able to enter the UN buffer zone in Nicosia

Benefits of Participating

Benefit	Description
Skills development	Environmental peacebuilding and leadership skills
Cross-community work	Build relationships with young people from different communities
Environmental action	Design and implement a real initiative
Mentorship	Support from mentors and experts
Small-grant funding	Financial support to implement your action
Networking	Connect with activists, experts, and the Youth Champions network
Certificate	Awarded to those completing all four days

Important Access Requirement

All activities take place at the Ledra Palace Hotel, located in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia. Participation depends on the applicant's ability to enter this zone. The respective sides — not the UN — have authority over entry from the crossing points, so applicants must ensure they have the required documentation before applying.

Accommodation in Nicosia may be available on 3 and 10 October, but availability is limited and subject to confirmation.

Programme Schedule

Activity	Date
Workshop Day 1	3 October 2026
Workshop Day 2	4 October 2026
Workshop Day 3	10 October 2026
Workshop Day 4	11 October 2026
Environmental Actions	By February 2027

For those seeking longer-term academic funding, explore these fully funded scholarships for African students.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants should complete the official online application form before the deadline. Participation is free.

Resource	Link
Application Form	British Council Cyprus – Youth Connect
Enquiries	unficyp-youthchampions@un.org