Lead the Change: Youths wanted to shape Global Education

Deadline: 10-Jul-25

The SDG4 Youth & Student Network, managed by UNESCO, is inviting applications for its 2026–2027 cohort. This initiative offers young leaders a platform to influence global education policy and advocate for inclusive, equitable, and quality education.

🌍 About the SDG4 Youth & Student Network

The SDG4 Youth & Student Network is a global platform that unites young leaders and experts dedicated to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) – Quality Education. Managed by UNESCO, the Network empowers youth and students to contribute to educational policy, advocacy, and innovation. Members engage in various activities, including workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects, to promote inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
UNESCO

The Network also serves as the official youth and student voice within the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, which includes Ministers of Education, international organizations, and other key stakeholders.

🧭 Eligibility Criteria

– To be eligible for the SDG4 Youth & Student Network 2026–2027 cohort, applicants must:

– Be between the ages of 16 and 30 at the time of application.

– Actively participate in a national, regional, or global non-governmental or not-for-profit youth or student organization focused on SDG4 and related education areas.

– Have demonstrable experience or ongoing involvement in education-related advocacy, policy engagement, innovation, or community development efforts that align with the SDG4 – Education 2030 agenda.

– Be free of any conflicts of interest, such as holding a government position or working with a for-profit entity that may compromise the impartiality required by the Network’s Code of Conduct.

– Current and past members of the Network may reapply, but returning members must not exceed 10% of the incoming cohort.

🎯 Roles and Responsibilities

Members of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network are expected to take an active role in driving educational change through various collaborative and advocacy-based functions:

1. Thematic Working Groups

Inclusive education
Education for sustainable development
Education in emergencies
Global citizenship education
Digital learning and artificial intelligence

These groups work together to develop policy briefs, conduct research, organize awareness campaigns, and host webinars or other educational events that drive attention to important issues in education.

2. Executive Committee & Regional Representation

Members elect representatives from each region to form an Executive Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and daily operations of the Network. The Executive Committee ensures coordination among members, liaises with UNESCO, and manages external communications.

Two members of this Committee also sit on the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee. In this role, they represent youth and student perspectives in high-level global dialogues and contribute to education policy decisions. These representatives conduct regular consultations within the Network and beyond to ensure their positions reflect the broader youth and student community.

3. Regular Participation and Engagement

– Being part of the Network involves a time commitment. Members are expected to:

– Actively contribute to working groups, campaigns, consultations, and events.

– Participate in monthly Network meetings to collaborate, report progress, and exchange ideas.

– Represent the Network in national, regional, and global forums as needed.

New members will also participate in onboarding activities alongside the current cohort between October and December 2025 before officially beginning their term in January 2026.

🎁 Benefits of Joining

– Youth can benefit as follows:

– You will have the opportunity to share global-to-local experiences with other young education advocates and collaborate to discover answers to complicated social challenges.

– You’ll have access to resources and networking opportunities to help you make your voice heard at major educational events.

– You’ll have access to training opportunities to help you improve your leadership skills in areas like advocacy, negotiation, community organizing, and facilitation, among others.

– Keep up with the latest news and developments in the field of youth and student education.

📅 Application Timeline

Application Deadline: 10 July 2025 (midnight Paris time)

Selection Process: July – August 2025

Notification of Results: September 2025

Transition Period: October – December 2025

Cohort Mandate Duration: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027

To apply, please fill in the online Application Form by clicking on the “Apply Now” button on UNESCO’s official platform. A facsimile of the form is available to review before submitting.

For more information, visit UNESCO.

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