Applications are open for the third edition of the Your Future in Green Jobs Mentorship Program, an action-oriented opportunity designed to help young people turn their interest in sustainability and climate action into practical skills, projects and future career pathways.

The programme is hosted by the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, with support from Dubai Cares and in collaboration with Plan International and Unbounded Associates.

The eight-month programme will bring together 50 young people aged 14–20 from around the world for expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship and practical Changemaker Projects focused on creating positive change in their communities.

Participants will take part in programme activities from December 2026 to June 2027, developing their understanding of green careers while receiving guidance from professionals working in the green jobs sector.

About the Program

The Your Future in Green Jobs Mentorship Program builds on the Your Future in Green Jobs Online Course, which introduces young people to green career pathways and helps them connect their interests, skills and passion for sustainability with future employment opportunities.

Through the mentorship programme, selected participants will move beyond learning and put their knowledge into practice.

Each participant will receive guidance from a green jobs professional while developing and implementing a Changemaker Project addressing one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals in their local community.

The programme combines career development, climate education, project management, mentorship and youth-led community action.

Changemaker Project

A central component of the programme is the Changemaker Project, through which participants will apply what they learn to a real-world community challenge.

Participants will develop their own project ideas and implement them between February and June 2027, with guidance from their mentors and regular support from the Ban Ki-moon Foundation and programme trainers.

Projects are expected to contribute to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create meaningful change at the local level.

Programme Timeline

The 2026–2027 programme will run through several stages:

November 2026: Selection results and initial communication with successful participants

December 2026: Online kick-off ceremony

January–March 2027: Virtual expert workshops

February–June 2027: Changemaker Project implementation, mentor meetings and regular check-ins

June 2027: Online graduation ceremony

Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide personal information, including:

• Name and contact details
• Date of birth
• Address and citizenship
• Educational background
• Language competence
• A short personal profile

They will also be required to explain their:

• Professional aspirations
• Motivation for joining the programme
• Areas of interest and desired career pathway
• Sustainability or social challenges they are passionate about addressing
• Initial ideas for a Changemaker Project

At the final stage, applicants will be asked to submit:

• A recent portrait photograph in JPEG or PNG format
• A short introduction video of no more than one minute in MP4 or MOV format
• A CV, which is optional

Applicants can save their application as a draft and return to complete it before the deadline.

Number of Participants

Following a competitive selection process, 50 young people aged 14–20 from around the world will be selected for the programme.

The programme offers young people an opportunity to connect sustainability interests with practical career development while receiving direct guidance from professionals and gaining experience in turning ideas into community-level climate and sustainability action.

This version keeps the opportunity broad enough for publication while making the green jobs, mentorship, Changemaker Project and youth eligibility particularly clear.

The application deadline is 25 October 2026 at 23:55 CEST.