Applications are now open for the Youth Side Program 2026, a unique international global health advocacy initiative taking place alongside the prestigious World Health Summit (WHS) 2026 in Berlin, Germany. Organized by the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH) under the German Medical Students’ Association (bvmd), the Youth Side Program is designed to empower the next generation of youth advocates, health leaders, and changemakers passionate about advancing equity, inclusion, and innovation in global health.

The programme offers selected participants the opportunity to attend advocacy training sessions, engage with leading experts in public health and global health policy, network with young leaders from around the world, and participate directly in the World Health Summit 2026.

Since its launch in 2022, the Youth Side Program has trained more than 100 youth advocates from over 20 countries, creating a growing international network of young professionals and activists working toward a more just and inclusive global health landscape.

The programme is specifically designed for young people who are eager to strengthen their advocacy skills, engage with policymakers, and contribute meaningfully to conversations shaping the future of healthcare, health systems, and public health globally.

About the Youth Side Program 2026

The Youth Side Program is a youth-led initiative created to amplify youth voices in global health spaces and ensure that young people are actively involved in shaping international health discussions.

The programme runs alongside the World Health Summit, one of the world’s leading strategic forums for global health. The summit convenes:

Policymakers
Health professionals
Researchers
Civil society leaders
International organizations
Academic institutions
Youth advocates

The Youth Side Program complements the summit by preparing participants with the knowledge, confidence, advocacy skills, and networking opportunities needed to engage effectively in global health policy conversations.

The initiative focuses strongly on:

Youth engagement
Advocacy capacity-building
Public health education
Communication skills
Leadership development
International collaboration
Equity and inclusion in healthcare systems

Why the Youth Side Program Matters

Young people are increasingly at the center of conversations about:

Health equity
Pandemic preparedness
Mental health
Climate and health
Universal health coverage
Health system resilience
Health policy reform

However, many youth advocates still face barriers to meaningful participation in international policymaking spaces.

The Youth Side Program seeks to bridge this gap by:

Equipping participants with advocacy tools
Strengthening youth-led global health networks
Increasing youth visibility at major international events
Supporting meaningful intergenerational dialogue
Creating pathways for long-term engagement in global health leadership

The programme recognizes that sustainable health systems require the voices, ideas, and leadership of young people from diverse backgrounds and regions.

Programme Dates and Location

Location

Berlin, Germany

Programme Schedule

Youth Pre-World Health Summit

Dates:
9–10 October 2026

Participants will attend intensive advocacy and training sessions beginning at 9:00 AM each day.

World Health Summit 2026

Dates:
11–13 October 2026

Participants will then join the main World Health Summit activities, with sessions continuing until approximately 10:00 PM daily.

Full attendance throughout the programme is mandatory.

What Participants Will Receive

Selected participants will gain access to a highly valuable global health learning and networking experience.

1. Ticket to the World Health Summit 2026

Participants receive official access to the World Health Summit, one of the most influential global health conferences worldwide.

The summit brings together:

Ministers of health
WHO representatives
Public health experts
Researchers
NGOs
Youth leaders
International development organizations

This gives participants direct exposure to high-level discussions on major global health priorities.

2. Advocacy Training and Capacity Building

Participants will engage in advocacy-focused training sessions before the summit.

Topics may include:

Introduction to global health
Youth engagement strategies
Health advocacy
Leadership development
Communication skills
Public speaking
Policy engagement
Networking and coalition building

These sessions are delivered by:

Experienced youth advocates
Public health professionals
Researchers
Academics
Global health experts

3. International Networking Opportunities

Participants will connect with:

Youth advocates from different countries
Global health professionals
Policymakers
Researchers
International organizations

These connections may support future collaborations, projects, and leadership opportunities.

4. Visibility and Representation

Participants become part of a growing global network of youth advocates working to influence international health systems and policy discussions.

The programme actively supports:

Youth representation
Inclusion
Diverse perspectives
Cross-cultural collaboration

5. Leadership Development

The Youth Side Program helps participants strengthen:

Confidence
Leadership capacity
Strategic thinking
Policy engagement skills
Advocacy techniques

These skills are highly valuable for careers in:

Public health
Medicine
International development
NGOs
Research
Health policy
Community advocacy

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to young people with a strong interest in global health.

Applicants must:

Be 27 years old or younger
Be born after October 13, 1998
Demonstrate strong interest in public health and global health
Be able to attend the full programme in Berlin
Commit to full participation during all sessions

The organizers welcome applicants from:

Diverse countries
Different academic backgrounds
Various professional experiences
Youth-led organizations
Community initiatives
Advocacy networks

Ideal Candidates

The programme is especially suitable for:

Medical students
Public health students
Young researchers
Youth advocates
NGO volunteers
Community organizers
Early-career health professionals
Students interested in international development
Young leaders passionate about health equity

Applicants with experience in:

Advocacy
Community engagement
Public health campaigns
Youth organizing
Leadership initiatives
may have an advantage during the selection process.

Important Note About AI-Generated Applications

The organizers clearly emphasize that applications should reflect genuine personal motivation and reasoning.

According to the application guidelines:

AI-generated answers are unlikely to score highly
Selected candidates may undergo interviews
AI-recognition software may be used during the review process

Applicants are therefore encouraged to:

Write authentically
Share personal experiences
Demonstrate real passion for global health
Provide thoughtful and original responses

Application Deadline

14 June 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST

Late applications may not be considered, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the Official Online Application Form and provide all requested information.

Applicants should prepare to answer questions related to:

Motivation
Leadership experience
Interest in global health
Advocacy work
Community engagement
Availability for full participation

Why You Should Apply

The Youth Side Program 2026 offers much more than conference participation.

It provides:

Global exposure
Leadership development
Policy engagement opportunities
Advocacy training
International networking
Career growth
Real-world global health experience

For young people interested in shaping the future of health systems and contributing to international health policy conversations, this programme offers a powerful platform for learning and impact.

Click HERE to learn more about the Youth Side Program 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at youthsideprogram@bvmd.de
All the best in your applications!

Conclusion

The Youth Side Program 2026 in Berlin represents a major opportunity for emerging youth leaders passionate about global health, advocacy, equity, and policy change.

By bringing together young advocates from around the world, the initiative helps strengthen youth participation in one of the most important global health forums internationally.

If you are committed to creating healthier, more inclusive, and more equitable societies, this programme could be an important step in your leadership journey.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before the June 14, 2026 deadline.

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