The Youth Center for Dialogue and Peace (YCDP) is inviting applications and participation for the Global Youth Summit for Sustainability, scheduled to take place from 28–31 May 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. This international summit will convene young leaders from around the world to engage in dialogue, collaboration, and action toward building peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable futures.

The Global Youth Summit for Sustainability is designed as a dynamic platform that recognizes young people as key drivers of change at a time when the world is facing interconnected challenges such as climate change, inequality, conflict, and social fragmentation. Despite their innovation and commitment, many young leaders remain excluded from decision-making spaces due to financial, geographic, and structural barriers. This summit seeks to address those gaps by creating an inclusive space for youth-led solutions and intergenerational exchange.

Under the theme “Bridging Generations, Building Sustainable Futures,” the summit emphasizes that sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation from peace, equity, and social justice. The programme adopts a holistic approach, linking climate action with peacebuilding, economic justice, digital inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Istanbul—an iconic city connecting East and West—provides a fitting setting for cross-cultural and intergenerational dialogue.

Summit Objectives

The summit aims to:

• Amplify youth voices in sustainability and peacebuilding decision-making at local, regional, and global levels

• Foster cross-cultural collaboration among young leaders from diverse backgrounds

• Build leadership capacity through skills training, innovation labs, and mentorship

• Co-create the Istanbul Youth Sustainability Declaration 2026, a youth-led policy roadmap

• Strengthen multi-sector partnerships involving youth organizations, governments, academia, and the private sector

• Support and showcase youth-led innovation initiatives with tangible community impact

What Participants Can Expect

Participants will engage in a rich programme that includes:

• Plenary sessions with global leaders, experts, and youth representatives

• Thematic workshops on climate resilience, green entrepreneurship, civic engagement, digital inclusion, gender equity, and peacebuilding

• Dialogue circles that promote intercultural understanding, storytelling, and shared learning

• Innovation-focused sessions highlighting practical, youth-driven solutions

Outcomes and Legacy

Key outcomes of the summit include the adoption of the Istanbul Youth Sustainability Declaration 2026, the formation of a global network of youth sustainability leaders, and access to a Youth Sustainability Fellowship that will provide post-summit mentorship, resources, and continued engagement.

The application deadline is not specified .

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity.