Call for Applications for the Action for Climate Empowerment Hub Youth Event 2026, 4th-6th June (fully funded to Bonn, Germany)

Ednah Carrick April 5, 2026

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Closing Date: 10th April 2026

Call for Applications for the Action for Climate Empowerment Hub Youth Event 2026, 4th-6th June (fully funded to Bonn, Germany)

Background

The Action for Climate Empowerment Hub (ACE Hub) is a collaboration between the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany and UN Climate Change aimed at fostering the implementation of Article 12 of the Paris Agreement related to education and public awareness, training, public participation, and public access to information known as Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), in NRW and globally.

The objective of the ACE Hub is to increase public support to, and engagement in, climate action activities that can help accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement across all sectors of society. The ACE Hub also includes a range of activities to support the implementation of the Glasgow work programme on ACE and its four-year action plan, such as providing capacity building, tools and knowledge to governments and other stakeholders across the world, so that they can better engage the public, including young people, in climate action.

Children and Youth are a special focus of the ACE Hub and activities dedicated to supporting meaningful youth engagement will also be delivered, including regional youth dialogues and an ACE Hub youth event which will take place in Bonn, Germany to increase awareness, education and participation in climate action. Please follow these links for additional information:

ACE webpage: https://unfccc.int/ace
ACE Hub webpage: https://unfccc.int/ace-hub
ACE Hub Youth Event webpage: https://unfccc.int/action-for-climate-empowerment-hub-youth-event

Objective

Recognizing the importance of developing the diverse knowledge, values and skills necessary to address the climate crisis, the Action for Climate Empowerment Hub Youth Event 2026 aims to achieve the following objectives:

Contribute to efforts to build the skills and strengthen competencies of youth to lead and participate in effective, equitable and just climate action at the local, national, regional and international levels;
Provide an opportunity for youth to share innovative climate change solutions and initiatives; and
Connect and encourage exchange and networking among local and international youth.

Description

The Action for Climate Empowerment Hub Youth Event will be organized in-person before the 64th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) in Bonn, Germany, in English and in collaboration with multiple partners. Participants will have ample opportunity for exchange, collaboration and networking, allowing them to share knowledge and skills and learn from each other. They will leave inspired and with tools and ideas to implement and to try to replicate and scale-up in their local contexts.

The ACE Hub will fund at least 5 international youth participants, including 2 Indigenous youth and/or youth from local communities, and 15 youth residing in the North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) region in Germany. Externally or self-funded and independently accredited youth may also apply.

This year’s event aims to build the capacity of young people to support the implementation of Climate Empowerment Action initiatives at the local and sub-national level. The event will feature three days of interactive training modules focused on meaningful youth engagement in policymaking processes, on skills development, and on how to use informal settings to engage communities, raise awareness about climate change and inspire sustainable behaviors, among other topics.

The objective is to apply an international perspective but underlying the interconnections between the local and the global to enhance youth understanding on how their leadership and innovation can promote climate action. As part of the programme, there will be an excursion to observe local climate action at the city level, in Düsseldorf. Participants will also be invited to start shaping the creation of an ACE Hub Youth Event Alumni Network.

The Action for Climate Empowerment Hub Youth Event 2026 will be conducted in English only and in-person. Interpretation services and virtual participation will not be available.

Selection Criteria

Through a call for applications, the Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (YOUNGO) will be responsible for the selection of 15 youth participants (ACE Hub Funded Applicants) from NRW and at least 5 funded international youth participants, including 2 Indigenous youth and/or youth from local communities, who will be funded by the programme. Self-funded or externally funded international youth participants who are already planning to attend SB64 are welcome to apply. The source of funding must be identified and secured at the time of application.

The selection process will follow a fair and inclusive approach in identifying participants taking into consideration geographical representation, as appropriate, and gender balance. The selection process will also follow a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure the participation of a diverse group of individuals, therefore individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must also meet the following criteria:

Be between the ages of 18 – 35 at the time of the event;
Be fluent in English (oral);
Be able to participate in-person for the full duration of the event;
Have not participated in a previous edition of the Action for Climate Empowerment Hub Youth Event;
Have knowledge and interest in or experience with one or more elements of ACE, i.e., climate education and public awareness, training, public participation and access to information; and
Ideally involved with or working on climate change topics at the local level, with cities, municipalities or subnational governments on community-based climate advocacy, action and initiatives.
*For local (NRW) applicants: Currently reside in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Terms and conditions for ACE Hub Funded Applicants

The event is only open to new youth participants. Participants of the 2022 ACE Youth Exchange, 2022 ACE Hackathon and 2023, 2024 & 2025 ACE Hub Youth Event are ineligible to apply.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own visas if applicable. UNFCCC is unable to support contacting local, national, or international authorities regarding visa requests. The UNFCCC can provide visa support letters to facilitate the visa-issuance process if needed.
UNFCCC can make the necessary travel arrangements, if applicable. Please note that itineraries will be based on the default dates (arrival on 3 June, departure on 7 June) and default return destinations. Changes in travel dates and return destinations are possible through a private deviation request, but participants will be required to cover any difference in cost, if applicable.
Participants are responsible for organizing their own health and travel insurance, if applicable.
Participants are responsible for organizing their own accommodation if applicable.
UNFCCC will provide a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) only for the duration of the event, if applicable, that is intended to account for all incurred costs during the trip, including lodging, meals, gratuities and other expenses. UNFCCC will not provide additional DSA outside the duration of the event.
Participants should have available funds to cover expenses prior to and during the event. Due to possible delays in DSA disbursement, participants may not receive payment until the last day of the event.
Accreditation for SB64 may be provided to selected participants who express interest in attending the ACE Dialogue 2026. In such cases, participants will be registered as an “invited participant” (sometimes referred to as Global Climate Action badges) and will have access to non-negotiation meetings and events during the session. Please note that no additional DSA will be provided.
Selected participants who are unable to attend the event will need to reapply to attend any future ACE Hub events; deferrals will not be possible.
By attending the event, participants agree that pictures and videos will be taken and may be used for promotional and outreach purposes, and consent to potentially being included in such materials. Participants who do not wish to be photographed or recorded should inform the event organizers in advance.
The UNFCCC code of conduct applies to all participants of meetings organized by the UNFCCC (Link to the Code of Conduct: https://unfccc.int/about-us/code-of-conduct-for-unfccc-conferences-meetings-and-events)

Terms and conditions for Self/Externally Funded Applicants

The event is only open to new youth participants. Participants of the 2022 ACE Youth Exchange, 2022 ACE Hackathon and 2023, 2024 & 2025 ACE Hub Youth Event are ineligible to apply.
Applicants should have already received or plan to receive accreditation to attend SB64 should they have interest in attending the ACE Dialogue 2026. Please note that UNFCCC is unable to provide accreditation.
UNFCCC is unable to support travel, accommodation or other related expenses. Participants should have available funds to cover expenses prior to and during the event.
Participants are responsible for organizing and funding their own health and travel insurance, and accommodation.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own visas if applicable. UNFCCC is unable to support contacting local, national, or international authorities regarding visa requests. The UNFCCC can provide visa support letters to facilitate the visa-issuance process if needed.
By attending the event, participants agree that pictures and videos will be taken and may be used for promotional and outreach purposes, and consent to potentially being included in such materials. Participants who do not wish to be photographed or recorded should inform the event organizers in advance.