Applications and participation opportunities are opening around Youth4Climate on the Move 2026, a multi-city journey across Italy designed to connect young climate innovators from around the world with institutions, research centres, businesses and innovation ecosystems working to advance climate action.

The programme will travel through Milan, Bologna, Venice, Naples and Rome from 19–23 October 2026, creating opportunities for youth climate leaders to exchange ideas, explore new partnerships and connect their solutions with organisations that can help them grow and scale.

About Youth4Climate on the Move

Youth4Climate on the Move is part of the wider Youth4Climate initiative, co-led by the Government of Italy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The initiative supports young people in moving climate ideas into practical action through funding, capacity development, learning, mentorship, partnerships, visibility and networking.

The 2026 journey brings this approach to several Italian cities, with each location representing a different chapter of the experience.

The route includes:

• Milan – 19 October 2026
• Bologna – 20 October 2026
• Venice – 20–21 October 2026
• Naples – 21 October 2026
• Rome – 22–23 October 2026

What Participants Can Expect

Youth climate innovators, alumni and partners will have opportunities to connect with organisations and individuals involved in different areas of climate action.

The journey is designed to create connections between youth-led climate solutions and:

• Research institutions and universities
• Businesses and innovation ecosystems
• Public institutions
• Climate policy and diplomacy actors
• Foundations and development partners
• Other young climate innovators
• Civil society and wider climate networks

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore how climate innovation connects with research, enterprise, design, culture and local communities.

Why Italy?

Youth4Climate was originally launched in Milan in 2021 during the lead-up to COP26, as a joint initiative of the Government of Italy and UNDP to strengthen youth engagement in climate action.

Returning to Italy provides an opportunity to build on that foundation by creating stronger links between young innovators and the institutions and ecosystems that can support their work.

Across the five-city journey, participants will encounter different aspects of Italy's climate innovation landscape, including research and centres of excellence, climate diplomacy, business and innovation, cities, culture and creative sectors.

The Five-City Journey

Milan

The journey begins in Milan, where Youth4Climate was launched in 2021. The city provides the starting point for bringing young climate innovators together and setting the tone for the journey.

Bologna

The programme then moves to Bologna, providing another setting for participants to explore climate innovation and connect with local ecosystems.

Venice

The Venice chapter takes place from 20–21 October, creating space for participants to engage with the city's institutions, networks and climate-related ecosystem.

Naples

On 21 October, the journey continues to Naples, offering another opportunity for knowledge exchange and connections around climate action.

Rome

The journey concludes in Rome from 22–23 October, bringing participants together in a setting closely connected to policy, diplomacy and international engagement.

What Is Youth4Climate?

Youth4Climate is a global initiative designed to help young people turn climate ideas into practical solutions.

Through its wider programmes, Youth4Climate provides support in areas including:

• Funding
• Knowledge and learning
• Mentorship
• Capacity development
• Visibility
• Networking
• Partnerships
• Opportunities for scaling youth-led climate solutions

One of its major programmes, the Youth4Climate Call for Solutions, provides selected young people and youth-led organisations with up to USD 30,000 to implement innovative climate projects, alongside mentorship, capacity development and networking opportunities.

The 2026 Call for Solutions is a separate programme from Youth4Climate on the Move.

Youth4Climate Mentorship

Youth4Climate also operates a mentorship programme connecting supported young innovators with experienced professionals.

Mentors can provide guidance on areas such as:

• Project development
• Implementation
• Problem-solving
• Business and operational readiness
• Financial and investment readiness
• Climate innovation
• Communications
• Growth and scaling

The programme also includes masterclasses, practical talks and opportunities for more mature projects to strengthen their readiness for investment and partnerships.

Key Dates

Milan: 19 October 2026
Bologna: 20 October 2026
Venice: 20–21 October 2026
Naples: 21 October 2026
Rome: 22–23 October 2026

About Youth4Climate

Youth4Climate is co-led by the Government of Italy and UNDP and works to strengthen youth-led climate action globally.

Its activities are designed to help young climate innovators move beyond ideas by providing access to resources, knowledge, mentors, networks, visibility and potential pathways for scaling their solutions.

For young people already developing climate solutions, the Youth4Climate ecosystem offers opportunities to connect with peers and organisations working across climate innovation, policy, research, business and community action.

The application deadline is not specified.

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