UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 is now accepting applications for young leaders worldwide who are passionate about sustainability, biodiversity, and climate action. Scheduled to take place from 18–22 May 2026 in Rosolina Mare, this fully funded international forum will bring together 200 participants under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Selected participants will receive support covering accommodation, meals, and limited travel expenses, making it a remarkable opportunity for youth to engage on a global platform without financial barriers.
Held under the inspiring theme “Committed to the Future We Want,” the forum aligns with the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan and reinforces the commitment of MAB Youth to tackle pressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development. With no application fee and full funding available for the selected cohort, this event offers a unique space for young changemakers to collaborate, share ideas, and contribute to shaping a more sustainable future.
Benefits of UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026
- Travel Expenses
- Accommodation
- Food
Eligibility Criteria for UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026
- Age: Young people aged 18 to 35.
- Connection: Must be actively involved with a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (BR).
- Involvement Types:
- Living or working within a BR.
- Studying or conducting scientific research.
- Volunteering or supporting BR-related activities.
Forum Objectives
- Implement Strategy: Drive the Hangzhou Action Plan (2026–2035), with a focus on expanding the MAB Youth Network.
- Action Findings: Turn the Youth Mapping Survey results into concrete local and global action plans.
- Share Innovation: Exchange youth-led success stories in biodiversity and sustainability from across Biosphere Reserves.
- Build Leadership: Strengthen capacity and coordination among young leaders worldwide.
- Influence Governance: Create formal recommendations and strategies to give youth a permanent seat in MAB decision-making.
What is UNESCO
Think of MAB as a worldwide club for “Nature Parks where people live.” Most parks kick people out to protect animals; MAB parks try to keep both people and animals happy and healthy together.
- The Goal: Stop fighting nature and start living with it.
- The Places: There are 700+ special “Biosphere” areas in the world (forests, islands, mountains) where people test green ideas.
How to Apply for UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026?
- Visit the official online application form to get started.
- Choose your application category based on your status:
- If you are a National MAB Youth Focal Point, use the dedicated form.
- If you are applying through the open call as a MAB Youth participant, use the open-call form.
- Fill in your basic personal details on the form.
For National MAB Youth Focal Points:
- Upload a confirmation letter of your appointment as a National MAB Youth Focal Point.
- Write a short description of your experience with UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (up to 250 words).
- Add a brief statement of contribution — what you will bring to the Forum (up to 250 words).
- Upload a short plan on how you will follow up after the Forum (up to 250 words).
- Indicate whether you have confirmed financial support for travel; if yes, include proof.
For Open Call MAB Youth Participants:
- Upload your current CV.
- Provide a short description of your engagement with Biosphere Reserves (up to 250 words).
- Include a statement of contribution showing what you plan to bring to the Forum (up to 250 words).
- Explain how you will apply what you learn in your community or Biosphere Reserve after the event (up to 250 words).
- Attach a support or endorsement letter from a Biosphere Reserve or a relevant UNESCO national body.
- Indicate if you have confirmed funding for travel; upload documents if available.
- Make sure all sections of the form are complete before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 brings together young leaders from biosphere reserves worldwide to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and contribute recommendations to the MAB Programme, advancing sustainability, biodiversity protection, and youth-driven action for the future.
What is the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026?
The UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 is a global gathering under the Man and the Biosphere Programme that brings young people together to help shape sustainable solutions for biosphere reserves and communities worldwide, aligned with the future we collectively want to build. The forum provides a platform for youth engaged in biosphere reserves to exchange ideas, strengthen cooperation, and contribute concrete recommendations to the MAB Programme. It highlights youth leadership, sustainability, and collaborative action toward environmental protection and community resilience.
When will the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 take place?
The UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 will be held in 2026 as part of ongoing efforts within the Man and the Biosphere Programme to strengthen youth engagement and global collaboration around biosphere reserves and sustainable development priorities. The event forms part of the broader MAB calendar, creating space for dialogue among young people connected to biosphere reserves. It builds on previous forums and supports long-term youth involvement in advancing sustainability goals within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Who can participate in the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026?
The forum is designed for young people actively involved in biosphere reserves and committed to sustainability, climate action, biodiversity protection, and community-based initiatives within the framework of the MAB Programme. Participants are typically youth representatives from biosphere reserves who demonstrate engagement in local projects and a strong interest in shaping global conversations. The forum aims to amplify their voices and ensure meaningful youth contributions to the future of the MAB Programme.
What is the main objective of the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026?
The primary objective of the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 is to empower young people to actively contribute to shaping the future of biosphere reserves and sustainable development through dialogue, collaboration, and shared commitments.
It seeks to foster youth-driven solutions and collective recommendations that can inform the MAB Programme’s priorities. By encouraging exchange and innovation, the forum strengthens global youth networks dedicated to environmental stewardship and sustainable community development.
How does the forum support youth leadership in biosphere reserves?
The forum supports youth leadership by creating a dedicated international space where young representatives can share experiences, present initiatives, and collaborate on solutions addressing sustainability challenges within biosphere reserves.
Through structured discussions and joint reflections, participants help shape proposals and commitments that reflect youth perspectives. This process strengthens their leadership roles locally and globally within the Man and the Biosphere framework.
What themes are addressed during the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026?
The forum focuses on sustainability, biodiversity conservation, climate action, and the role of biosphere reserves in building resilient communities aligned with global development priorities and environmental protection efforts. Discussions explore how young people can contribute to the future of biosphere reserves while promoting inclusive development and ecological balance. The themes reflect the broader mission of the MAB Programme and its commitment to people and nature.
How does the forum contribute to the MAB Programme?
The UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 contributes by gathering youth perspectives and generating recommendations that can inform and strengthen the implementation of the Man and the Biosphere Programme worldwide. Outcomes from the forum help integrate youth voices into decision-making processes and long-term planning. This ensures that the future direction of biosphere reserves reflects the energy, ideas, and commitments of the next generation.
Why is youth engagement important in the MAB framework?
Youth engagement is essential because young people bring innovation, local action, and long-term commitment to sustainability efforts within biosphere reserves and surrounding communities. By involving youth in global discussions, the forum ensures that future strategies remain inclusive and forward-looking. Their participation strengthens community resilience and reinforces the link between conservation and sustainable development goals.
How does the forum encourage global collaboration among participants?
The forum encourages global collaboration by bringing together youth from diverse biosphere reserves to exchange knowledge, build networks, and co-create solutions for shared environmental challenges. Through dialogue and joint activities, participants develop partnerships that extend beyond the event. These connections help sustain international cooperation and strengthen the global community within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
What makes the UNESCO 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum 2026 significant?
The forum is significant because it places youth at the center of shaping the future of biosphere reserves and sustainable development within the MAB Programme framework. By elevating youth voices and encouraging actionable commitments, the event reinforces the importance of intergenerational collaboration. It reflects a shared determination to build the future we want through collective environmental responsibility.
Discover more from Scholarship Union
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
