Young Peacebuilders Programme in South Caucasus and Central Asia

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is accepting applications for the 9th edition of the Young Peacebuilders Programme, a peace education initiative designed for young leaders from South Caucasus and Central Asia. The programme equips participants with practical peacebuilding skills, mentorship, regional networks, and opportunities to implement community-based peace projects that promote social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable peace.

Overview

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme is a flagship youth peacebuilding initiative that empowers young civil society leaders to become agents of positive change in their communities. Implemented under the Peace4Culture Global Call framework, the programme focuses on strengthening youth leadership, promoting intercultural understanding, and supporting community-driven peace initiatives.

The programme combines online learning, in-person training, project implementation, and regional networking to help participants develop the skills and knowledge needed to address conflict, polarization, prejudice, and social divisions.

Programme Details

Organizing body: United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Programme: 9th Edition of the Young Peacebuilders Programme
Target group: Young leaders from South Caucasus and Central Asia
Number of participants: 20 young leaders
Programme format: Blended learning approach
Framework: Peace4Culture Global Call
Focus: Peacebuilding, intercultural dialogue, and social cohesion

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports initiatives and learning in the following areas:

Peacebuilding
Social cohesion
Intercultural dialogue
Interfaith dialogue
Conflict transformation
Peace education
Prevention of violent extremism
Youth participation in peace and security
Community-based peace initiatives
Cultural diversity
Nonviolence and inclusion
Youth leadership development

What is the Young Peacebuilders Programme?

The Young Peacebuilders Programme is a peace education and leadership development initiative that equips young people with practical tools to address community tensions and foster peaceful coexistence.

Participants learn how to:

Promote dialogue across diverse communities.
Challenge stereotypes and prejudice.
Address polarization and social divisions.
Design and implement local peace initiatives.
Strengthen community resilience.
Build inclusive and peaceful societies.
Engage constructively in peace and security efforts.

The programme also provides access to regional networks and mentorship opportunities that support long-term peacebuilding engagement.

How the Programme Works

The programme is structured around four interconnected phases that combine learning, practical experience, and networking opportunities.

Phase 1: Online Learning and Engagement

Participants begin with online educational modules and collaborative activities that introduce core peacebuilding concepts and practices.

Topics may include:

Conflict analysis
Peacebuilding frameworks
Social cohesion strategies
Intercultural communication
Nonviolent approaches to conflict
Community engagement techniques

Phase 2: Face-to-Face Peacebuilding Workshop

Participants attend an intensive in-person workshop focused on developing advanced peacebuilding skills.

The workshop includes:

Interactive learning sessions
Dialogue exercises
Conflict transformation methods
Leadership development activities
Intercultural exchange opportunities
Practical peacebuilding simulations

Phase 3: Community Peace Projects

Following the workshop, participants develop and implement their own peacebuilding initiatives within their communities.

Projects provide opportunities to:

Apply acquired skills in real-world settings.
Promote social cohesion.
Encourage intercultural understanding.
Address local challenges through dialogue and collaboration.
Create sustainable community impact.

Phase 4: Results-Sharing Symposium

The final phase brings participants together to present their experiences and project outcomes.

Participants will:

Share achievements and lessons learned.
Present project results.
Exchange best practices.
Engage with practitioners and policymakers.
Provide recommendations for future peacebuilding efforts.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Be between 18 and 25 years old.
Be a national of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.
Be actively involved in youth-led organizations, initiatives, or networks.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to peacebuilding and nonviolence.
Show interest in diversity, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue.
Possess sufficient English language proficiency to participate fully in programme activities.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be nationals of one of the following countries:

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan

Benefits for Selected Participants

Participants will receive:

Specialized peacebuilding training.
Practical leadership development opportunities.
Mentorship and guidance from experts.
Access to a regional network of young peacebuilders.
Experience in designing and implementing community projects.
Opportunities for intercultural exchange.
Enhanced understanding of conflict transformation and social cohesion.
Connections with civil society leaders and practitioners.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the following steps:

Review the eligibility requirements carefully.
Complete the online application form.
Prepare a valid passport or identification document.
Record a 30–45 second video in English.
Explain:
- Why you want to join the programme.
- What you hope to learn.
- How you plan to contribute.
Submit all required documents before the application deadline.
Await the competitive selection process results.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

Completed online application form.
Passport or national identification document.
A 30–45 second motivation video in English.

The video should clearly communicate:

Personal motivation.
Interest in peacebuilding.
Expected learning outcomes.
Potential community impact.

Why This Programme Matters

Young people play a critical role in preventing conflict and promoting peaceful societies. The Young Peacebuilders Programme helps develop the next generation of leaders capable of addressing social divisions through dialogue, inclusion, and cooperation.

Key impacts include:

Strengthening youth participation in peace processes.
Promoting intercultural understanding.
Encouraging community-driven solutions.
Building regional cooperation among young leaders.
Supporting long-term peace and social cohesion.
Creating sustainable local peace initiatives.

Tips for a Strong Application

Clearly demonstrate your commitment to peacebuilding.
Highlight your involvement in youth organizations or community initiatives.
Show genuine interest in intercultural dialogue and diversity.
Make your motivation video concise and authentic.
Explain how the programme aligns with your goals.
Provide examples of leadership or community engagement experience.
Focus on the impact you hope to create after completing the programme.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting incomplete application materials.
Providing a vague or generic motivation video.
Failing to explain community involvement.
Exceeding the required video duration.
Demonstrating limited understanding of peacebuilding objectives.
Not highlighting previous leadership or volunteer experiences.
Waiting until the last minute to submit the application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Young Peacebuilders Programme?

Young people aged 18–25 who are nationals of the eligible South Caucasus and Central Asian countries and actively engaged in youth initiatives can apply.

How many participants will be selected?

A total of 20 young leaders will be selected through a competitive process.

Is English proficiency required?

Yes. Participants must be able to communicate effectively in English throughout all programme activities.

What type of projects will participants implement?

Participants will design and implement community-based peacebuilding projects that promote dialogue, inclusion, and social cohesion.

Is prior peacebuilding experience required?

While extensive experience is not mandatory, applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to peace, diversity, inclusion, and nonviolence.

What should be included in the application video?

The video should explain your motivation for joining, what you hope to gain from the programme, and how you plan to contribute to peacebuilding efforts.

What happens after the training phases?

Participants implement community projects and later present their results, lessons learned, and recommendations during the final symposium.

Conclusion

The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders Programme offers a unique opportunity for young leaders from South Caucasus and Central Asia to develop practical peacebuilding skills, expand regional networks, and create meaningful change within their communities. Through training, mentorship, project implementation, and collaboration, participants gain the tools needed to promote intercultural understanding, social cohesion, and sustainable peace while becoming part of a growing network of young peacebuilders across the region.