Introduction
Applications are now open for the 2026 GYBN Transformative Futures Fellowships. Since 2022, GYBN’s fellowship programs have been a seedbed for youth-led action—nurturing ideas, strengthening local leadership, and creating space for young people in their own communities. The spirit and impact of these fellowships have travelled far, reaching global stages like COP15 and COP16, where young leaders shared how their work is transforming the places they call home.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the GYBN Fellowship 2026, applicants must:
- Be young individuals passionate about biodiversity and environmental action
- Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to community impact
- Be actively engaged or interested in environmental, social, or youth-led initiatives
- Be willing to collaborate in a global network
- Have the ability to contribute to one of the fellowship tracks
Benefits
Participants in the program will gain:
- Access to a global network of youth leaders
- Opportunities to engage in international environmental platforms (e.g., COP events)
- Hands-on experience in leadership, advocacy, and project implementation
- Capacity-building through mentorship and collaborative learning
- Exposure to global biodiversity and sustainability initiatives
- Opportunity to lead impactful, community-based environmental projects
Available Opportunities
The fellowship program offers four tracks:
Youth Communications & Storytelling Fellowship
- Focuses on amplifying youth voices and narratives
- Supports creative storytelling, media, and communication strategies
- Strengthens global youth engagement through impactful content creation
Youth Policy Support Fellowship
- Engages fellows in biodiversity policy processes
- Supports youth participation in regional and global advocacy spaces
- Provides hands-on experience in policy coordination and systems change
Youth Community Building Fellowship
- Focuses on strengthening grassroots youth networks
- Encourages collaboration across cultures and regions
- Builds solidarity and collective action within the GYBN network
Youth Capacity Building Fellowship
- Develops learning spaces for youth leadership
- Encourages peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing
- Focuses on long-term leadership development in biodiversity conservation
Application Deadline
Application Deadline: April 7, 2026
Grant Atlas