Deadline: February 12, 2025
Applications are now open for the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2025 taking place from 15 to 17 April at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Forum provides a platform for young people to engage in a dialogue with Member States and other stakeholders to share their views and concerns as well as galvanize actions and recommendations to transform the world into a fairer, greener and more sustainable place led by the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Youth leaders from around the world will have the opportunity to engage with government representatives, youth delegates, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in civil society and the private sector and make their voices heard in advancing their interests and concerns.
About
Convened by the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the ECOSOC Youth Forum gathers young people from all horizons to contribute to policy discussions through their unique expertise, innovative ideas, and concrete solutions. The Forum provides a platform for representatives of youth-led and youth-focused organizations and networks to engage in a dialogue with Member States with a view to further advance young people’s own development as well as their contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Forum will take place from 15 to 17 April 2025 in the United Nations Headquarters in New York City (USA).
The ECOSOC Youth Forum will focus on a theme that aligns with the 2025 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.”
Event Details
The three-day event will feature plenary sessions as well as interactive thematic and regional breakout sessions to facilitate deeper discussions on advancing the 2030 Agenda, implementing the Pact for the Future and contributing to different intergovernmental processes in 2025 such as the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the Second World Summit for Social Development – WSSD2.
Young people are also invited to share best practices, lessons learned, solutions as well as creative and innovative ideas with Member States, other youth participants and stakeholders on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals under review at the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum in July 2025.
Side events will be encouraged, taking place virtually and in-person from 15 to 17 April 2025.
Benefits
The United Nations Youth Office will support up to 15 young persons (18-35 years old) to participate in person at the ECOSOC Youth Forum.
This is your chance to:
- Engage with Global Leaders: Interact directly with policymakers and decision-makers at the highest levels
- Share Innovative Ideas: Present your solutions for advancing sustainable development
- Network Globally: Connect with youth advocates from diverse backgrounds and regions
- Shape International Policies: Contribute to formulating global strategies on sustainable development
- Drive SDG Progress: Actively participate in advancing the 2030 Agenda within the UN system and beyond
Eligibility
- Open to Youth leaders from around the world
- Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years to qualify for the support
- Selection of eligible young persons will be made by the UN Youth Office with support of partners, including its Youth Reference group. Selection will consider gender balance, geographical representation and other under-represented youth.
- Preference will be given to applicants with limited or no prior engagement with the UN. Additionally, please note that they are unable to sponsor youth who are currently under contract with the UN.
Application
All applicants will be notified of the final decision regarding their application up to four weeks after the deadline.
For more information, visit ECOSOC Youth Forum.
