UN Youth Townhall to Bring More Than 1,000 Young People and Leaders Together in Heidelberg
Heidelberg, Germany — December 8–10, 2026 — The United Nations is preparing to convene its first-ever UN Youth Townhall, a major international gathering designed to strengthen youth participation in decision-making, build intergenerational trust and create new opportunities for cooperation.
The three-day event in Heidelberg will bring together more than 1,000 participants, including young leaders, youth-led organizations, governments, UN representatives, civil society, academics, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, philanthropies and private-sector representatives.
The initiative comes as young people around the world increasingly contribute to climate action, peacebuilding, technology, education, human rights and entrepreneurship, while many continue to face barriers to having their voices meaningfully represented in decisions affecting their lives and futures.
A new platform for meaningful youth participation
The UN Youth Townhall is intended to go beyond a traditional conference. According to the United Nations Youth Office, the initiative aims to create a space where young people and decision-makers can exchange ideas directly, develop partnerships and turn dialogue into concrete commitments.
The Townhall has three central objectives:
- Strengthening inclusion and diversity by expanding participation among young people and communities that are frequently underrepresented in international processes.
- Reducing fragmentation by connecting organizations, institutions and other actors working on youth-related issues around the world.
- Creating a collective path forward by transforming discussions into partnerships, commitments and practical measures that advance youth priorities and participation in decision-making.
The UN Youth Office’s broader strategic plan similarly places meaningful youth participation and leadership at the centre of its work, with a particular focus on removing barriers facing marginalized and underrepresented young people.
From consultation to meaningful participation
The Townhall builds on the UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on Meaningful Youth Engagement in Policymaking and Decision-making Processes, which called for stronger youth participation throughout the UN system and recommended establishing a standing UN Youth Townhall.
The policy brief argued that young people should not simply be consulted but should have meaningful opportunities to influence policymaking and decision-making.
The initiative is also connected to the UN Youth Compass, the UN Youth Office’s flagship framework for strengthening meaningful youth participation within the United Nations and beyond.
Rather than being designed as a single isolated event, the Townhall is envisioned as a recurring platform supporting collaboration, learning and partnerships over time.
Interactive discussions and intergenerational dialogue
The programme will place intergenerational dialogue and co-creation at its centre.
In addition to larger sessions, participants are expected to take part in fireside chats, roundtables, small-group discussions and other interactive formats. These activities are intended to create direct exchanges between young people, policymakers and participants from different generations and sectors.
Organizations from the UN system, civil society, academia and the private sector will also have opportunities to present initiatives, projects and opportunities and connect directly with young participants.
This approach reflects a broader shift within the UN toward treating young people as partners in shaping solutions rather than simply beneficiaries of policies.
Who can participate?
More than 1,000 participants are expected to attend, including:
- Young leaders and representatives of youth-led organizations and movements
- Government and public-sector representatives
- Entrepreneurs and innovators
- Researchers and academics
- UN representatives
- Civil society organizations
- Philanthropic organizations
- Private-sector representatives
The organizers are seeking broad geographic representation, gender balance and stronger inclusion of young people and communities that are often underrepresented in international policy and decision-making spaces.
Funding opportunities available for young people
An important opportunity is also available for young people who may face financial barriers to attending.
The United Nations has announced a limited number of funding opportunities for young people through an open application process. The deadline to apply is:
September 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Young people, organizations and institutions from around the world are invited to participate in the UN Youth Townhall, which will take place in Heidelberg from December 8 to 10, 2026.
Official UN Youth Townhall information and application details
Why the Townhall matters
The creation of a dedicated global platform for youth participation reflects a growing recognition that international institutions need young people’s perspectives when developing policies for the future.
The UN has already emphasized the importance of meaningful youth participation in areas ranging from sustainable development and peace and security to human rights and digital technologies. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also publicly argued for bringing young people more directly into political decision-making.
The challenge now will be to ensure that discussions at the Townhall translate into concrete action.
If successful, the Heidelberg gathering could become an important recurring mechanism for connecting young people with decision-makers and for turning youth-led ideas into partnerships, policies and measurable commitments.
Event at a glance
Event: UN Youth Townhall
Date: December 8–10, 2026
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Expected participation: More than 1,000 people
Organizer: United Nations Youth Office and partners
Funding applications deadline: September 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
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https://www.un.org/youthaffairs/en/youth-townhall