The AFS Youth Assembly is a three-day international youth conference held in Geneva, Switzerland on 12–14 August 2026 — the 31st session since the event began in 2004. It is run by AFS Intercultural Programs, an international non-governmental non-profit that took the Assembly over from the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation in 2022. Each session gathers delegates from more than 100 countries around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with UN leaders and senior staff among the speakers; the alumni body stands at roughly 20,000 people from 160 countries. The 2026 theme is “Rise. Reimagine. Rebuild: A World for All”, organised into four tracks: development as a human right, climate resilience policy and justice, future-ready education, and bridging divides in a polarised world. Delegates attend plenaries, workshops, networking and SDG-zone sessions, an Opportunities Fair and a youth-led showcase, with the International Youth Day celebration falling on 12 August.
Benefits & funding
- Three days of conference access in Geneva (12–14 August 2026): plenary addresses, parallel workshops and panels, networking and speed skills exchanges, SDG zone discussions.
- Virtual pre-departure networking sessions ahead of the event.
- Entry to the Opportunities Fair, the Action and Impact Hub, and the closing ceremony with awards.
- Eligibility to compete for the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens, a US$10,000 prize.
- Access to the Alumni Impact Network after the event.
- This is not a funded program: the delegate pays a registration fee — US$325 early-bird, US$450 regular, US$595 late. The late rate applies to the window now closing on 24 July 2026.
- The fee does not cover flights, airport transfers, accommodation, meals, visa fees, travel or health insurance, or personal expenses — delegates arrange and pay for all of these themselves. The optional pre-conference Academies (accommodation included) were priced separately at US$3,600 for a double room and US$4,200 for a single, but their applications have closed for 2026.
- Three named scholarships were offered for the 2026 session — the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme, the AFS Global STEM alumni and educators award funded by bp, and the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program — and all three deadlines have passed. AFS publishes a grassroots fundraising guide and workbook for delegates raising their own funds.
Eligibility
- Open to all nationalities and all countries of residence: the application form asks for country of nationality and country of legal residence from full country lists, and no country is barred.
- Aged 18 to 35 at the start of the program. Applicants over 35 may apply as Observers, which are accepted in limited numbers.
- A demonstrated track record of leadership, school or community involvement, plus an interest in global affairs, sustainable development and youth issues.
- English at intermediate level or above — the entire event runs in English, and applications must be submitted in English.
- No degree, field of study, or years of work experience are required.
- Able to secure a Swiss visa where one is needed, or eligible for a visa exemption, and able to travel to Switzerland in August 2026. AFS issues an official invitation letter to support a visa application but cannot intervene in embassy processes, and acceptance does not guarantee a visa or entry.
Can you apply?
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Age requirement
18–35 yrs
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Application process
- 1Complete the online individual pre-application form by 24 July 2026, 11:59 PM EST. It asks for legal name, date of birth, nationality, country of legal residence, passport number, visa status, occupation and organisational affiliations, plus an essay of at least 100 words on why the applicant wants to take part.
- 2Accept the privacy policy, the terms and conditions, and the code of conduct within the form.
- 3Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and evaluated on the applicant’s work or involvement, achievements, and interest in sustainable development — a selective review, not open registration.
- 4Applicants who pass the initial assessment receive a confirmation email with a payment link.
- 5Pay the registration fee to finalise registration. Organisations sending several delegates can instead use the group delegation application route.
- 6Arrange a visa (using the AFS invitation letter), flights and accommodation independently.
Program timeline
Applications open; early-bird registration begins
Oct 15, 2025
Early-bird rate (US$325) ends
Dec 31, 2025
Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program scholarship deadline
Feb 20, 2026
AFS Global STEM alumni and educators scholarship deadline
Mar 15, 2026
AstraZeneca Young Health Programme scholarship deadline
Apr 1, 2026
Application deadline, 11:59 PM EST (late rate of US$595 applies)
Jul 24, 2026
Pre-conference Academies begin (applications closed)
Aug 9, 2026
Program starts; International Youth Day celebration
Aug 12, 2026
Program ends with the closing ceremony and awards
Aug 14, 2026