A fully funded youth delegation to the Council of Europe's World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, including two days of preparatory training. For people aged 18-30 active in democracy organisations. Applications close 14 August 2026.
The World Forum for Democracy is the Council of Europe's annual gathering on the state of democratic practice, held at its headquarters in Strasbourg. The Youth Department selects a delegation of young people to take part rather than observe — delegates contribute to labs and plenaries alongside the wider forum.
The delegation programme includes two days of preparatory training before the forum opens, which is what makes the difference between attending an institutional conference and participating in one.
People aged 18 to 30 who represent a youth organisation or movement working on democracy or youth participation. This is an organisational nomination in substance: applicants are expected to be active in a structure, not applying purely as individuals.
English proficiency is required, and you must be available for the entire programme.
Travel costs, accommodation at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg, meals, and visa expenses in line with Council of Europe rules. The preparatory training is included.
Council of Europe travel reimbursement follows fixed rules and is usually paid after the event — worth knowing if fronting the cost of a flight is difficult.
Applications close 14 August 2026 at 14:00 Strasbourg time. A stated clock time in a deadline is usually enforced literally, so do not leave it to the day. Apply through the Council of Europe using the official link.
The distinction matters. The World Forum for Democracy draws a large institutional audience, and it would be easy to attend it as a spectator. The Youth Delegation is structured against that: two days of preparatory training before the forum opens, and a role in the labs and plenaries once it does.
If you want the experience of contributing to a Council of Europe process rather than watching one, this is the mechanism.
Applicants must represent a youth organisation or movement working on democracy or youth participation. In practice this means your application is read partly as an organisational one — the panel is interested in what you will take back and who to.
Applying purely as an interested individual, with no structure behind you, is unlikely to succeed however strong your personal case.
Travel, accommodation at the European Youth Centre, meals and visa costs are covered. Council of Europe travel reimbursement follows fixed published rules and is typically paid after the event, against receipts and within capped amounts.
If fronting the cost of a flight to Strasbourg for several weeks would be difficult, raise it with the organisers early rather than after selection.
Applications close 14 August 2026 at 14:00 Strasbourg time. Deadlines expressed to the minute are enforced to the minute, and Strasbourg is CEST in August — check the offset against your own timezone.
Places are no longer being allocated. Have a look at what else is coming up, or write to us if you think this is an error.
See upcoming eventsRegistration closed
Five days in Kazan, Tatarstan for young delegates from OIC, BRICS and Asia-Pacific countries, with accommodation, meals, local transport and one-way travel covered. Applications close 10 June 2026.
View details
Registration closed
A fully funded place at the World Health Summit in Berlin, 11-13 October 2026, for people from low- and middle-income countries working in global health. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until places fill.
View details
Registration closed
A three-day inter-regional human rights seminar in Ulaanbaatar for practitioners from Asia and Europe, followed by a two-day training. No fee, with accommodation and meals covered. Applications close 31 August 2026.
View details