The Pre-COP31 Australia & Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue (APYCD) is a regional gathering that brings young people from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific together ahead of the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference, which Australia and the Pacific are co-hosting. It is organised by UNICEF with the Government of Fiji and the Government of Australia, in partnership with Pacific youth and climate networks. Over 60 selected participants meet in Nadi, Fiji, to share lived experience of climate change, shape youth-led recommendations, build advocacy skills and form a regional network that carries young people’s voices into formal climate policy discussions.
Benefits & funding
- Fully funded: international and regional flights, in-country transport, accommodation, meals and visa costs are covered — no out-of-pocket expense for selected participants.
- A three-day programme of dialogue, skills-building and networking with peers and climate leaders from across the region.
- Note: personal travel insurance is not covered.
Eligibility
- Age range depends on where you live. The Pacific residents’ route is open to ages 14–29; applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian’s consent to take part. The Australia and New Zealand route is open to ages 18–29.
- A resident (and citizen) of Australia, New Zealand, or an eligible Pacific Island nation (e.g. Fiji, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu).
- Holds a passport valid beyond April 2027.
- Able to attend in person in Fiji for the full three days and to communicate in English or sign language.
- Organisers strongly encourage applications from young women, Indigenous and First Nations youth, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ youth, and those from remote or underserved communities.
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
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Residence required
Australia · New Zealand · Fiji · Cook Islands · Micronesia · Kiribati · Marshall Islands · Nauru · Niue · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Samoa
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Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu
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Age requirement
14–29 yrs
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Choose the correct application form for your region — one for Australia & New Zealand residents, a separate one for Pacific Island residents — linked from the UNICEF Australia program page.
- 2Complete the online application, including your climate-action experience and motivation.
- 3Submit before your region’s deadline.
- 4Await selection by the organising committee; selected participants are contacted with travel and logistics details.
Program timeline
Application deadline for Pacific Island residents
26 July 2026
Application deadline for Australia & New Zealand residents
30 July 2026
Youth Climate Dialogue held in Nadi, Fiji
1–3 October 2026