The EU–UN Youth Delegates Programme appoints two young people to represent youth perspectives in the European Union’s work at the United Nations. The 2026–2027 cohort is jointly managed by the EU Delegation to the UN in New York and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships in Brussels.
Delegates contribute to UN discussions, coordinate with national youth delegates and youth organisations, advise EU teams, and communicate their work through channels including social media and the “Who Rules the World” podcast. The fifth cohort begins on 1 September 2026 and lasts 12 months.
Benefits & funding
- The EU covers programme travel costs, including flights, accommodation, daily subsistence allowances and insurance for official trips.
- Delegates are expected to travel to New York around three times during the year and may also travel to Brussels or other destinations.
- The call does not state a salary or general living stipend outside official travel.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of an EU Member State and under 30 when applying.
- No degree level, minimum work experience or residency requirement is stated.
- Applicants must be able to devote up to about 40 days per year to the role and be willing to advocate for youth rights.
- Applicants need an interest in a field connected to UN activities, motivation or experience in youth advocacy, and a vision for youth participation at EU and UN levels.
- Applicants must be available for programme travel and have excellent written and spoken English, presentation, communication and social-media skills.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Austria · Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece
+ 15 more
Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden
Age requirement
≤ 29 yrs
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Application process
- 1Check the relevant EU Member State National Youth Council website for its application method and any earlier internal deadline. Youth activists in the European Youth Forum’s INGO pillar follow that organisation’s selection route.
- 2Prepare a CV and a motivation letter of no more than one page explaining relevant experience, motivation and potential contribution.
- 3Submit through the applicable National Youth Council or European Youth Forum route. Individual direct applications to the European Commission are not accepted.
- 4National Youth Councils may nominate one candidate per Member State, while the European Youth Forum selects five activists for the shared selection pool.
- 5Shortlisted candidates proceed to an interview before the two delegates are selected.
Program timeline
Call launched.
Mar 4, 2026
Deadline for National Youth Councils and the European Youth Forum to submit nominations; internal applicant deadlines may be earlier.
Apr 17, 2026 at 17:00 CET
First-stage shortlist results due.
May 8, 2026
Shortlist interviews.
May 13, 2026 to May 15, 2026
Final results communicated.
Week of May 25, 2026
The 12-month mandate begins.
Sep 1, 2026