Application Deadline
Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
Program Description
The 2026 ACE Hub Youth Event will be organized in Bonn, Germany, before the 64th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs), from 4-6 June, as part of the ACE Hub, promoted by the German regional government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) to foster education and public awareness, training, public access to information, and participation in climate change action.
Education
The event will feature three days of interactive training modules, focused on meaningful youth participation in policymaking processes, on skills development, and on how to use informal settings to engage communities, raise awareness about climate change and inspire sustainable behaviors, among other topics. The objective is to apply an international perspective but underlying the interconnections between the local and the global to enhance youth understanding on how their leadership and innovation can promote climate action.
As part of the programme, there will be an off-campus excursion to observe local climate action at the city level, in Düsseldorf. Participants will also be invited to start shaping the creation of an ACE Hub Youth Event Alumni Network.
The ACE Hub Youth Event will be organized in-person before the 64th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) in Bonn, Germany, in English and in collaboration with multiple partners. Participants will have ample opportunity for exchange, collaboration and networking, allowing them to share knowledge and skills and learn from each other. They will leave inspired and with tools and ideas to implement and to try to replicate and scale-up in their local contexts.
Funding Details
The ACE Hub will fund at least 5 international youth, including 2 Indigenous youth and/or youth from local communities, and 15 youth residing in the North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) region in Germany. Externally or self-funded and independently accredited youth may also apply.
Selection Criteria
- Through a call for applications, the Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (YOUNGO) will be responsible for the selection of 15 youth participants from NRW and at least 5 international youth participants, including 2 Indigenous youth and/or youth from local communities, who will be funded by the programme. Self-funded or externally funded international participants who are already planning to attend SB64 are welcome to apply. The source of funding must be identified and secured at the time of application.
- The selection process will follow a fair and inclusive approach in identifying participants taking into consideration geographical representation, as appropriate, and gender balance.
- The selection process will also follow a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure the participation of a diverse group of individuals, therefore individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- Be between the ages of 18 – 35 at the time of the event;
- Be fluent in English (oral);
- Be able to participate in-person for the full duration of the event;
- Have not participated in a previous edition of the ACE Hub Youth Event;
- Have knowledge and interest in or experience with one or more elements of ACE, i.e., climate education and public awareness, training, public participation and access to information; and
- Ideally involved with or working on climate change topics at the local level, with cities, municipalities or subnational governments on community-based climate advocacy, action and initiatives.
- For local (NRW) applicants: Currently reside in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Programme Details
- The event is only open to new youth participants. Participants of the 2022 ACE Youth Exchange, 2022 ACE Hackathon and 2023, 2024 & 2025 ACE Hub Youth Event are ineligible to apply.
- Participants are responsible for arranging their own visas if applicable. UNFCCC is unable to support contacting local, national, or international authorities regarding visa requests. The UNFCCC can provide visa support letters to facilitate the visa-issuance process if needed.
- UNFCCC can make the necessary travel arrangements, if applicable. Please note that itineraries will be based on the default dates (arrival on 3 June, departure on 7 June) and default return destinations. Changes in travel dates and return destinations are possible through a private deviation request, but participants will be required to cover any difference in cost, if applicable.
- Participants are responsible for organizing their own health and travel insurance, if applicable.
- Participants are responsible for organizing their own accommodation if applicable.
- UNFCCC will provide a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) only for the duration of the event, if applicable, that is intended to account for all incurred costs during the trip, including lodging, meals, gratuities and other expenses. UNFCCC will not provide additional DSA outside the duration of the event.
- Participants should have available funds to cover expenses prior to and during the event. Due to possible delays in DSA disbursement, participants may not receive payment until the last day of the event.
- Accreditation for SB64 may be provided to selected participants who express interest in attending the ACE Dialogue 2026. In such cases, participants will be registered as an “invited participant” (sometimes referred to as Global Climate Action badges) and will have access to non-negotiation meetings and events during the session. Please note that no additional DSA will be provided.
- Selected participants who are unable to attend the event will need to reapply to attend any future ACE Hub events; deferrals will not be possible.
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