Young people passionate about climate action, international climate policy and global environmental negotiations are invited to apply for the YAS Climate Diplomacy Training Programme and COP31 Online Delegation.

The programme is being launched by YAS following several years of youth participation, capacity building and engagement with the UN climate process. It is designed to give young people a stronger understanding of how international climate negotiations work and equip them with the knowledge needed to participate more meaningfully as observers in the UNFCCC process.

Selected participants will take part in a structured training programme running from early October through the end of November 2026. The programme will include interactive webinars, online masterclasses and independent activities, with a maximum of one interactive webinar scheduled each week after 6:00 PM CEST. Participants will also be introduced to climate science experts and professionals working in climate diplomacy.

Those who successfully complete the training will have the opportunity to join the YAS COP31 Online Delegation. During COP31, participants will work in four thematic groups and follow selected negotiation sessions and discussions throughout the conference. The level of involvement will increase during the COP31 period, when participants should be prepared to dedicate significant time to monitoring sessions and contributing to the delegation’s work.

COP31 will take place from 9–20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, under the joint Türkiye-Australia Presidency. The conference will bring countries together under the UNFCCC to advance international cooperation on climate change, with particular attention to implementation, resilience, the circular economy and global equity.

Applicants must be 30 years old or younger at the time of COP31 and must be fluent in both Italian and English, including written and spoken communication. They should also be able to dedicate approximately four hours per week to the training programme, covering webinars, masterclasses and offline activities. During the COP31 weeks, a higher level of commitment will be required. Participants are expected to communicate any planned absences or periods of unavailability in advance.

The programme offers young participants an opportunity to gain practical insight into international climate diplomacy, understand the technical mechanisms behind UN climate negotiations, interact with experts and professionals, and gain direct experience monitoring the COP process as part of a youth delegation. It can be particularly valuable for young people interested in climate policy, diplomacy, sustainability, environmental governance and international affairs.

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