Funding

Free

Program dates

Oct 23, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026

Forum / Summit•USA · Columbus

LCOY USA 2026 (Local Conference of Youth)

Care About Climate (with YOUNGO, Fridays For Future USA, The Hack Foundation)

Application Deadline

Closed · July 31, 2026

Reopens ~Jul 2027

Official Page

LCOY USA is the United States’ national Local Conference of Youth — a youth-led, youth-organized weekend gathering endorsed by YOUNGO, the official Youth and Children’s Constituency to the UNFCCC. It is convened by Care About Climate alongside Fridays For Future USA and The Hack Foundation. Around 125-plus delegates come together on Ohio State University’s campus to network, build advocacy skills, and debate climate policy. The demands developed there consolidate into a National Youth Statement, which flows through the global Conference of Youth (COY) into the Global Youth Statement presented at the UN climate talks (COP).

Benefits & funding

  • Free to attend: the weekend-long conference carries no registration fee.
  • Three days of panels, side events, debates, and capacity-building sessions on climate advocacy.
  • Networking with advocates, partners, mentors, and sponsors across the U.S. climate movement.
  • A formal channel into the UNFCCC process via the National and Global Youth Statements.
  • Note: delegates arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation (hotels/Airbnb near campus).

Eligibility

  • Youth aged 35 or younger.
  • Lived experience in the USA.
  • An interest and/or experience in climate advocacy.
  • Applicants under 18 may attend if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

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  • Residence required

    USA

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  • Age requirement

    ≤ 35 yrs

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Sign in to check eligibility

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

  1. 1
    Complete the application form linked on the LCOY USA homepage.
  2. 2
    Submit before the deadline; delegates are selected for their leadership in the climate movement.
  3. 3
    Selected delegates receive confirmation and a badge email required for entry.
  4. 4
    Arrange your own travel and accommodation to Columbus, Ohio.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline (11:59 PM EST)

    31 Jul 2026

  2. Further delegate logistics published on the website

    Sep 2026

  3. Conference in Columbus, Ohio

    23–25 Oct 2026