UNESCO intercultural leadership programme is a transformative initiative that aims to empower emerging leaders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to promote intercultural dialogue as a means to address urgent global issues. Through this program, UNESCO is nurturing a new generation of advocates for dialogue, unity, and peace, enabling them to drive impactful change at the local, national, and global levels. In its inaugural year, the theme of the Programme will focus on ‘Learning to collaborate for a shared future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move’.
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Selected participants will have the opportunity to join a vibrant, international network of young leaders and change-makers, where they can champion intercultural dialogue and make a meaningful difference in their communities. This immersive experience includes training sessions, financial support, ongoing mentorship, and a platform to amplify their voices on a global scale. More importantly, it encourages sustained engagement within a community of leaders dedicated to utilizing dialogue to generate solutions and shape policies that promote unity and peace. The program plays a crucial role in UNESCO’s “Road to Peace: Dialogue and Action for Tolerance and Intercultural Understanding” initiative, amplifying youth-led initiatives and contributing to systemic change worldwide.
What the program offers:
1. Capacity-Building: Participants will engage in a structured capacity-building program that includes:
– Online Training Workshops: Immersive sessions designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to embody intercultural leadership and implement tangible projects that promote intercultural solutions within their communities.
– Ongoing Learning and Exchange: Continuous training and exchange opportunities to further enhance the skills and knowledge of participating Young Leaders as they put their plans into action through community projects.
– Peer-to-Peer Learning and Mentorship: Regular knowledge-sharing sessions and personalized coaching to support participating Young Leaders as they implement projects in their communities.
2. Financial Grants for Community Projects: Following the initial training workshops, participants will develop and submit plans to execute a project within their community, focusing on the theme of ‘Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move’. Upon approval, they will receive a grant of 10,000 USD to implement their project, along with ongoing training, peer support, and mentorship.
3. A Global Network and Lasting Impact: Participants will have the opportunity to engage in various activities to scale and institutionalize the impact of their work within global policy discussions, including:
– Access to a unique Global Alumni Network for ongoing exchange, learning, and opportunities.
– Participation in the Global Youth Dialogue for Peace, a global forum that brings together Young Leaders and established decision-makers to share best practices, influence policy development, and strengthen networks.
– Access to UNESCO resources, toolkits, and methodologies for scaling best practices.
– Opportunities to contribute to the UNESCO Global Intercultural Action Observatory, a repository of insights and good practices to support ongoing policy advocacy for intercultural leadership for peace and cohesion.
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The program timeline includes online training workshops in September 2025, project implementation from November 2025 to May 2026, and participation in the in-person UNESCO Global Youth Leaders Dialogue for Peace in April 2026. The program will continue to engage participants through the Global Alumni Network and other UNESCO-led opportunities for learning, advocacy, tion process involves submitting an online applicatin form by June 22, 2025, pre-screening, technical review by an international jury, and final notification to the selected 50 participants by August 2025.
Click here to access the application form and embark on your journey to become a champion for intercultural dialogue.
The application deadline is June 22, 2025, 23:59 CET (Paris time).Â
Please read theÂTerms and Conditions carefully before applying.ÂÂ
