Deadline 2026-11-18
Country France
Level short-course, fellowship
Organization The Centre for Global Dialogue and Leadership (CGDL)
Field Leadership, Global Governance, Public Policy, Diplomacy, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, Climate Action, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Youth Participation, Global Cooperation, Education, Social Inclusion, Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals
Funding fully funded Overview
The Youth Global Forum 2027 is an international leadership summit designed for young leaders, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, and policy enthusiasts from around the world. This four-day immersive program will take place in Paris, France, from January 20 to 23, 2027. It offers leadership training, policy dialogue, global networking, and guided visits to major international organizations like UNESCO Headquarters.
Coverage
The Forum offers several participation categories with varying levels of funding:
* Fully Funded Category: This comprehensive scholarship covers round-trip international airfare, twin-shared accommodation at a 4-star hotel, all meals and coffee breaks, full access to Forum sessions, workshops, policy masterclasses, institutional visits, conference materials, a certificate of recognition, and support with a France visa invitation letter.
* Partially Funded Category: This option provides significant financial support, including twin-shared accommodation at a 4-star hotel, meals and coffee breaks, full Forum access, workshops, institutional visits, conference materials, a certificate, and visa invitation support. It does NOT include international airfare.
* Forum Admission Category (Guaranteed): This option includes meals, full Forum participation, workshops, masterclasses, institutional visits, materials, a certificate, and visa invitation support. It does NOT include airfare or accommodation.
* Self-Funded Category (Guaranteed): This upgraded guaranteed option includes twin-shared 4-star hotel accommodation, meals, Forum participation, institutional visits, workshops, conference materials, certification, and visa invitation support. It does NOT include airfare.
Eligibility
The Youth Global Forum 2027 is open to applicants aged 16 to 46 from any country and academic background. It is an ideal opportunity for students, recent graduates, young professionals, social entrepreneurs, policy enthusiasts, activists, human rights defenders, content creators, youth workers, NGO representatives, and innovators interested in driving global change. No prior international experience is required; what matters most is genuine motivation, curiosity about global issues, and a willingness to grow through the experience.
Requirements
For the competitive Fully Funded and Partially Funded categories, applications undergo a structured, merit-based evaluation. Reviewers typically assess the clarity of motivation and purpose, leadership potential and community engagement, relevance of the applicant's background to the Forum's themes, and global awareness and demonstrated commitment to learning. Applicants are advised to write a clear, honest, and specific personal statement that connects their goals to the Forum's mission.
How to apply
Applications for the Fully Funded and Partially Funded categories use a single shared online form. The Forum Admission, Self-Funded, and Visa Invitation Letter categories each have their own separate registration processes. Prospective delegates are strongly encouraged to prepare their documents and personal statement well in advance and submit their applications early, as funded categories are competitive and reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline for funded applications is November 18, 2026. Visit the official website to apply: https://thecgdl.org/ygf2027/
Notes
A total of 250 seats are available for this edition. Key themes explored at the Forum include leadership and global governance, public policy and diplomacy, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, climate action and sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation, youth participation and global cooperation, human rights and social inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants will engage in keynote sessions, high-level panel discussions, interactive workshops, policy masterclasses, cultural exchange activities, and group discussions. Visa invitation letter support is available as a standalone option for those who wish to start their visa process early.