UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026: A Fully Funded Opportunity for Youth Leaders

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme is offering a fully funded opportunity for young leaders in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. This program aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to promote peace, social cohesion, and intercultural dialogue. It is designed for individuals aged 18 to 25 who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities.

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) organizes this prestigious initiative. UNAOC works to foster understanding and cooperation between different cultures and communities worldwide. The Young Peacebuilders Programme is one of their key projects, focusing on empowering youth to address issues like polarization, prejudice, and violent extremism.

About the Young Peacebuilders Programme

The Young Peacebuilders Programme is a comprehensive initiative that combines leadership development, practical training, and community action. It is structured to provide participants with a deep understanding of peacebuilding principles and practical tools for implementing change. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, encouraging participants to develop and lead their own peace projects within their communities.

Programme Focus for 2026

The 9th edition of the programme specifically targets young leaders from the following regions:

• South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
• Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

The goal is to enhance regional cooperation and support youth-led peacebuilding efforts by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. This interaction is expected to foster a greater understanding of shared challenges and opportunities for promoting peace.

A Comprehensive Peacebuilding Learning Journey

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme offers a structured learning experience through four main components:

1. Online Learning Phase

The program begins with a series of facilitated online modules. These modules cover essential topics such as peacebuilding, conflict transformation, intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, leadership development, human rights, community engagement, and the prevention of violent extremism. This phase helps participants build a strong foundational knowledge base and connect with peers from across the region.

2. Intensive One-Week In-Person Workshop

Following the online phase, participants attend an intensive face-to-face training workshop. This workshop provides a space for interactive learning, practical exercises, group discussions, and case studies. It is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of peacebuilding methodologies and build strong relationships with fellow changemakers.

3. Community Peace Projects

A key element of the program is the design and implementation of community-based peace projects. Participants identify local challenges, develop solutions, and apply their newly acquired skills to initiate peacebuilding efforts. This practical component allows them to extend the program’s impact directly into their communities and engage local stakeholders.

4. Results-Sharing Symposium

The program concludes with a symposium where participants present their projects, key achievements, lessons learned, and future plans. This event brings together policymakers, government representatives, civil society organizations, and international institutions, offering a platform for youth-led initiatives to gain visibility and foster continued collaboration.

Peace4Culture Global Call Framework

The Young Peacebuilders Programme operates under the Peace4Culture Global Call framework. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNAOC, highlights the importance of culture, dialogue, and mutual understanding in building sustainable peace. The program directly supports these objectives by empowering young leaders to drive positive change.

What Participants Will Learn

Participants will develop practical skills in several key areas:

• Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: This includes conflict analysis, mediation, dialogue facilitation, and consensus building.
• Leadership Development: Participants will learn about strategic leadership, ethical leadership, youth advocacy, and community mobilization.
• Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue: The program focuses on cross-cultural communication, engaging with religious diversity, and building trust across communities.
• Prevention of Violent Extremism: Participants will explore the drivers of extremism, community resilience building, and inclusive prevention approaches.
• Project Design and Implementation: Skills in project planning, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization will be taught.
• Public Communication and Advocacy: This covers public speaking, campaign development, storytelling, and social impact communication.

Benefits of the Programme

Selected participants will receive numerous benefits, including:

• Comprehensive Peacebuilding Training: Access to high-quality education from experienced facilitators.
• International Networking Opportunities: Becoming part of a regional and global network of young changemakers.
• Mentorship and Guidance: Ongoing support throughout the learning journey.
• Practical Project Experience: Opportunities to implement real-world community initiatives.
• Exposure to Policymakers and International Organizations: Connections with influential decision-makers.
• Increased Visibility: Recognition for their work and contributions to peacebuilding.
• Long-Term Engagement Opportunities: Becoming part of UNAOC’s broader youth network.

Programme Impact

Since its beginning, the Young Peacebuilders Programme has empowered 155 young leaders from 58 countries, building a strong international peacebuilding network and supporting youth-led initiatives globally.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 25 years old.
• Be from the South Caucasus or Central Asia region.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in peacebuilding and intercultural dialogue.
• Show commitment to community engagement and possess leadership potential.
• Be willing to participate fully in all program phases.

Applicants with prior experience in youth work, community service, advocacy, or civil society initiatives are particularly encouraged to apply.

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for youth activists, community leaders, students, recent graduates, civil society volunteers, human rights advocates, social entrepreneurs, and members of youth organizations who are eager to contribute to peacebuilding efforts.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit applications for the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme 2026 is July 31, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the official application guidelines and complete the online application form through the UNAOC Application Portal.

Why You Should Apply

In a world facing division and conflict, young people play a vital role in promoting peace and understanding. The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme offers a unique chance to build leadership skills, learn from experts, join an international network, and implement community initiatives that can influence positive social change. This program is an exceptional opportunity for young leaders looking to make a lasting impact and contribute to a more peaceful world.

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