Deadline: September 30, 2025
Applications are open for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Youth Forum 2026. The IRENA Youth Forum 2026 will mark the eighth edition of the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) flagship platform for youth empowerment, intergenerational dialogue, and renewable energy innovation.
Under the theme “Youth Innovation and Digital Solutions: From AI to Access in Renewable Energy”, this year’s Forum will explore how young people are leveraging artificial intelligence, digitalization, and new business models to expand access to renewable energy worldwide. The Forum will bring together youth leaders, policymakers, industry representatives, and partners to co-create solutions for a just and inclusive energy transition.
The Forum aims to:
- Amplify youth voices in global energy and climate policy.
- Foster capacity building and skills development, enabling youth to design and scale impactful solutions.
- Highlight youth roles in financing the energy transition, exploring how young innovators can access capital.
- Strengthen partnerships between youth, governments, the private sector, academia, and international organizations.
Benefits
Selected participants will:
- Gain direct exposure to the global renewable energy policy arena.
- Network with high-level decision makers, innovators, and peers from across the world.
- Co-develop the Youth Forum Outcome Statement, presented at the Seventeenth IRENA Assembly.
- Access opportunities to join IRENA’s broader youth initiatives, including the NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator and the Energy Transition Education Network.
Eligibility
The Forum is open to young people aged 18-35 who are:
- Actively engaged in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, or related fields.
- Leading or contributing to projects, startups, research, or advocacy initiatives that advance the energy transition.
- Motivated to collaborate with peers and partners to scale impact globally.
Application
The Forum will take place on 8-9 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi and on 10-12 January at St Regis Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
For more information, visit IRENA Youth Forum.
