YEDx 2026 Applications Open: Host a Youth Environmental Dialogue with UNEP’s Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) ·Unknown

The YEDx 2026 Application is now open for youth organizations and environmental groups worldwide interested in hosting a Youth Environmental Dialogue (YEDx) in partnership with the Children and Youth Major Group to the United Nations Environment Programme (CYMG).

This opportunity provides young environmental leaders and organizations with the chance to organize locally led dialogues that bridge international environmental governance with grassroots youth action. Selected hosts will receive mentorship, guidance, practical toolkits, and ongoing support from CYMG while leading meaningful environmental conversations in their own communities.

As environmental challenges continue to intensify across the globe, young people are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of sustainable solutions. Through YEDx, CYMG seeks to empower youth to transform international environmental commitments into tangible local action while ensuring that local experiences help shape global environmental policies.

Whether you represent a youth organization, environmental NGO, university group, community-based organization, or another youth-serving institution, this initiative offers an excellent opportunity to become part of an international movement advancing environmental leadership and meaningful youth participation.

What is the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG)?

The Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) serves as the official youth engagement mechanism to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Established following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (Agenda 21), CYMG represents youth organizations, networks, and individuals committed to addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

CYMG actively advocates for stronger youth participation in environmental governance by ensuring young people’s voices are represented throughout UNEP processes and wider United Nations environmental discussions.

Today, the organization continues to strengthen youth leadership while promoting meaningful participation in global environmental decision-making.

Its work focuses primarily on addressing the world’s triple planetary crisis, including:

• Climate change
• Biodiversity loss
• Pollution

By creating opportunities such as YEDx, CYMG helps equip young leaders with the knowledge, networks, and resources necessary to implement environmental solutions within their own communities.

What is YEDx?

Youth Environmental Dialogues (YEDx) are locally organized, youth-led events designed to connect international environmental policy discussions with practical community action.

Rather than being centrally organized by UNEP, YEDx events empower local organizations to take ownership of planning and delivering meaningful environmental dialogues while receiving support from CYMG.

Each YEDx creates a platform where young people can:

• Learn about global environmental governance.
• Discuss local environmental challenges.
• Develop practical solutions.
• Connect with policymakers and community stakeholders.
• Build stronger youth environmental networks.
• Contribute local perspectives to international environmental discussions.

The initiative recognizes that many environmental challenges require local solutions informed by global knowledge.

Objectives of YEDx 2026

Every Youth Environmental Dialogue is designed around four primary objectives.

1. Equip Young People with Leadership Skills

YEDx aims to strengthen the knowledge and leadership capacity of young environmental advocates by providing opportunities to develop practical skills that support environmental action.

Participants are encouraged to become active changemakers capable of leading sustainability initiatives within their communities.

2. Increase Awareness of Global Environmental Policies

The programme helps young people better understand major international environmental frameworks and policies.

By improving awareness of global commitments, participants are better equipped to implement local initiatives that contribute toward broader environmental goals.

3. Elevate Local Youth Voices

One of the central purposes of YEDx is ensuring that local youth perspectives help shape international environmental conversations.

Insights gathered during local dialogues can contribute to broader discussions taking place within UNEP and other global environmental forums.

4. Strengthen Environmental Networks

YEDx encourages collaboration among young leaders, organizations, institutions, and community stakeholders.

These partnerships support long-term environmental advocacy and strengthen collective efforts to address local environmental challenges.

How Does YEDx Work?

One of the unique aspects of YEDx is its emphasis on local leadership.

Selected organizations are responsible for designing and delivering their own Youth Environmental Dialogue while receiving continuous guidance from CYMG.

Responsibilities of Local Hosts

Selected organizers will:

• Coordinate the entire YEDx event.
• Engage local youth participants.
• Build partnerships with local organizations.
• Organize event logistics.
• Facilitate discussions.
• Promote community participation.
• Deliver activities aligned with YEDx objectives.

Support Provided by CYMG

Throughout the planning process, CYMG provides:

• Ongoing mentorship.
• Technical advice.
• Capacity-building opportunities.
• Ready-made planning toolkits.
• Guidance for successful implementation.
• Support throughout the event planning process.

This collaborative model enables local organizers to tailor each dialogue to their community while maintaining alignment with international environmental priorities.

Why Host a YEDx?

Hosting a Youth Environmental Dialogue offers numerous benefits for organizations and youth leaders.

Potential advantages include:

• Leading environmental change within your community.
• Strengthening organizational leadership experience.
• Connecting local environmental work with international policy discussions.
• Building partnerships with environmental stakeholders.
• Increasing youth participation in environmental governance.
• Enhancing organizational visibility.
• Developing long-term environmental advocacy initiatives.
• Accessing mentorship from experienced environmental leaders.
• Becoming part of a global network of youth environmental changemakers.

Who Can Host a YEDx?

CYMG welcomes applications from eligible organizations committed to youth engagement and environmental action.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Youth-led organizations.
• Youth-serving organizations.
• Environmental organizations.
• Climate organizations.
• Community-based organizations.
• Student organizations.
• University groups.
• Academic institutions.
• Other organizations working with young people and sustainability.

Applicants must either:

• Be affiliated with a legally registered eligible organization; or
• Partner with a registered organization capable of supporting the event.

Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide information including:

• Primary applicant details.
• Date of birth.
• Nationality.
• Organization name.
• Organization type.
• Country of operation.
• Year established.
• Registration status.
• Organization website or social media.
• Partner organization information (if applicable).
• Secondary contact details.

Applicants should carefully complete every required section before submission.

APPLY NOW

Application Deadline

Applications have been extended until 16 August 2026.

Selection Process

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

All applications will undergo review by a CYMG Selection Committee.

Applications will be evaluated using the official selection criteria outlined in the YEDx Guidelines 2026.

Organizations are encouraged to review these guidelines thoroughly before applying to strengthen their application.

Important Notes

Applicants should keep in mind:

• Hosting opportunities are competitive.
• Local organizers lead the implementation.
• CYMG provides mentorship and planning resources.
• Applications are reviewed through a formal selection process.
• Partnerships with registered organizations are accepted where necessary.

Need Assistance?

Applicants with questions regarding the programme or application process may contact CYMG directly via:

Email: admin@cymgenv.net

Conclusion

The YEDx 2026 Host Opportunity represents an exciting chance for youth organizations and environmental leaders worldwide to play a direct role in strengthening environmental governance from the grassroots level. By combining local leadership with global environmental priorities, YEDx empowers young people to create lasting environmental impact while contributing valuable perspectives to international policy discussions.

Organizations passionate about youth engagement, sustainability, and community action are encouraged to prepare strong applications and review the official YEDx Guidelines 2026 carefully before submitting. Hosting a YEDx is more than organizing an event—it is an opportunity to inspire environmental leadership, strengthen community collaboration, and help shape a more sustainable future.

Visit the OFY website for more opportunities on Conferences.