To all the young changemakers, do you want to be a part of the largest youth gathering in Europe this summer? Well then, here is some exciting news: Germany is hosting the Youth Development Forum. You heard it right, after the success of YEF 2025 in Switzerland, the Center for Global Dialogue and Leadership has launched Youth Development Forum 2026 in Berlin, one of Germany’s vibrant and dynamic cities, from May 7-10, 2026. The YDF 2026 Berlin serves as a unique platform that aims to gather young leaders, professionals, and changemakers, regardless of academic and professional background, from over 150 countries to attend a four-day international conference designed to empower the young generation of future leaders by providing them with tools to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
The forum is offering a total of 200 seats for participation, which are further categorized into fully funded, partially funded, and partially-funded seats. The forum features intensive workshops, dialogue, networking, focusing on leadership development, sustainable development, emerging technologies, and 21st-century skills, followed by an exclusive visit to the federal parliament of Germany. The YDF provides generous support for fully funded delagates the coverage includes: Round-trip airfare, accommodation, meals, access to full conference events, and more, which we will discuss later in this post. The application process for the forum is online; interested applicants must submit their applications by March 10th, 2026. Read more details below
Youth Development Forum 2026 Berlin, Germany: Overview
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Eligible Countries: Open for All
- Hosted by: CGDL
- Coverage: Fully/Partially Funded
- Forum Dates: 7th-10th, May 2026
- Application Deadline: March 10th, 2026
Also, Check: List of Summer Program in Europe 2026Â
Financial Coverage
The forum is offering a total of 200, of which 30 are fully funded, and delegates selected under will recieve comprehensive support, including:
- Accommodation in a 4-star premium hotel
- Round-trip airtravel coverage to/from Germany
- Meals during the forum
- Exlusive access to all forum activities
- Participation certificate
- Event Merchandise
- Guided city tour
- Visa Assistance/support letter
- Participation in social and cultural activities
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants meeting the following criteria are invitied to apply for YDF, Berlin:
- Calling individuals from all nationalities
- Calling applications from students, professionals, social entrepreneurs, policymakers, youth workers, and human rights defenders, regardless of academic or professional backgrounds
- No prior work experience required
- Demonstrate commitment to growth
- Age requirement: 16-46 years of age at time of application
YDF 2026 Themes
The forum revolves around cross-cutting global themes, which are:
- Climate Action & Sustainability
- Peace Building, Global Cooperation & Diplomacy
- Democratic Engagement & Human Rights
- Content Creation, Media, and Story Telling
- Digital Leadership & AI governance
- Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
Forum Includes
- Hands-on learning through workshops and Masterclasses
- Youth-led discussion
- Networking opportunities with changemakers and global leaders
- Culture exchange and participation in collaborative activities
- Exclusive tour to the Federal Parliament of Germany
- Guided city tours
Selection Criteria
The selection for Fully/Partially Funded is based on:
- Applicant’s motivation
- Community engagement
- Experience relevant to the theme
- Passion to learn
Also, Check:
If you want to skip the selection stress, you can book the confirmed seats for the forum through the following categories
How to Apply?
The application process is online; interested applicants need to visit the offical link below, click on the desired category you wish to apply for, complete your application form, pay the application fee, and submit.
