This compilation brings together currently open opportunities published on Opportunity Desk for international travel, conference participation, public speaking, journalism, writing, photography, music, arts and creative practice. Each application hyperlink leads to the corresponding Opportunity Desk listing. Applicants should review the full eligibility requirements and apply early, as opportunities may close once places are filled.
1. Aga Khan Foundation Goals for Tomorrow: Call for Youth Presenters
The Aga Khan Foundation invites young leaders, artists, innovators, activists, entrepreneurs, researchers and community builders living in Canada to present at Goals for Tomorrow, a national youth-led virtual festival focused on global citizenship, international development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Applicants may propose TED-style talks, workshops, panel contributions, poetry, spoken word, photography exhibitions, visual-art showcases, film screenings, performances, peer-learning sessions or social-innovation case studies. Selected presenters will gain national visibility, strengthen their public-speaking and facilitation skills, connect with other youth changemakers and contribute practical ideas to conversations about social change.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 26.
2. World Forum for Democracy Youth Delegation 2026 (Fully-funded)
The Council of Europe is selecting up to 50 young people to join the Youth Delegation at the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, France. Participants will attend preparatory online sessions, a dedicated youth training programme, the main Forum and the Youth Day. The opportunity is suited to young people aged 18 to 30 who are active in youth organisations, civic movements, democratic participation or innovative governance initiatives. Travel and visa costs are covered, while accommodation and meals are provided at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg. Delegates are expected to bring youth perspectives into discussions and share the Forum’s outcomes with their organisations and communities.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 14.
3. ICANN Fellowship Program 2026 (Funded)
The ICANN Fellowship Program supports individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities to participate meaningfully in the global Internet governance ecosystem. Fellows learn about ICANN’s policy-development processes, the Domain Name System and the security and stability of the Internet while engaging directly with technical experts, policymakers and community representatives. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and demonstrate a clear interest in Internet governance or related digital-policy issues. The programme is especially valuable for professionals, researchers, advocates and community leaders seeking international exposure, cross-sector networks and experience within a major global multistakeholder forum.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 21.
4. CGIAR Early Career Researchers Spring School 2026 (Fully-funded)
The University of Fort Hare and the CGIAR Climate Security team are inviting early-career researchers based in South Africa to a three-day Spring School on climate, peace and security. The programme will take place from 2 to 4 September and will provide intensive learning, peer exchange and practical engagement with the links between climate change, conflict, peacebuilding and human security. Selected participants will deepen their research capacity, connect with specialists and build relationships with other emerging scholars working on urgent climate-security questions. The opportunity is fully funded and is particularly relevant to researchers in development studies, peace and conflict studies, environmental policy and related fields.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 14.
5. Council of Europe Youth Advocacy for Democracy & Human Rights Training Course 2026 (Funded) The Council of Europe is offering a funded training course for young people working on democracy, civic participation and human rights. The programme will run from 27 September to 4 October and will help participants strengthen advocacy, campaigning, communication and movement-building skills. It is designed for young activists, youth workers and representatives of civil-society organisations who want to improve their ability to influence public debate and defend democratic values. Participants will learn alongside peers from different countries, develop practical advocacy plans and gain exposure to European human-rights frameworks and youth-sector approaches.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 14.
6. UNITAR Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026 (Funded)
UNITAR is inviting 500 motivated learners to join a Japan-funded leadership and disaster-risk-reduction programme focused on resilient livelihoods and inclusive communities. The first phase will run online from August to November, with top performers progressing to an advanced phase in 2027. Pacific participants may be invited to an in-person component. The programme is open to adults aged 18 and above, with applicants from Pacific Island countries and the Asia-Pacific particularly encouraged. Participants will build leadership, planning and community-resilience skills and receive a UNITAR certificate after completing the requirements. Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 21.
7. Arab Youth Council Global Youth Water Envoys Program 2026
The Global Youth Water Envoys Program brings together emerging young leaders committed to water security, climate resilience and sustainable development. Participants will represent youth perspectives, strengthen their advocacy and communication skills and contribute to public conversations on water-related challenges. The initiative is suitable for young professionals, researchers, environmental advocates and community organisers who want to build an international profile and connect with a global network of peers. Selected envoys are expected to participate actively in learning, public engagement and collaborative activities linked to water diplomacy and youth leadership.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 13.
8. Thomson Young Journalist Award 2026
The Thomson Young Journalist Award recognises outstanding journalists aged 30 and under from eligible lower- and middle-income countries. Applicants submit three pieces of published or broadcast work produced within the previous year, in formats including print, audio, video or multimedia. Three finalists will be invited to London for the Foreign Press Association Media Awards, newsroom visits and a bespoke professional-development session. The award offers young journalists international recognition, editorial exposure and valuable connections within the global media industry. Entries should demonstrate strong reporting, originality, public-interest value and the ability to hold institutions and decision-makers accountable.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 9.
9. Waging Nonviolence Fellowship 2026 (Stipend available)
The Waging Nonviolence Fellowship is a five-month journalism and writing programme for emerging reporters interested in social movements, activism and underreported struggles for justice. Fellows work closely with experienced editors and produce five in-depth feature articles during the programme, building a strong portfolio of published work. The fellowship is ideal for writers and journalists who want structured editorial mentorship, deeper reporting experience and a platform for covering grassroots movements that receive limited mainstream attention. A stipend is available, and participants gain both practical newsroom experience and meaningful professional clips.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 10.
10. City Bureau Civic Information Fellowship 2026 (Stipend available) The City Bureau Civic Information Fellowship is a paid six-month programme for Chicago residents who want to strengthen journalism, civic participation and community information systems. Fellows learn how to identify local information needs, build relationships, gather evidence and design projects that improve access to trustworthy public information. The programme includes weekly learning and co-working sessions, collaborative project development and stipends across two phases. It is especially suitable for community storytellers, organisers, aspiring journalists and residents with strong knowledge of Chicago’s South and West Side communities. Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 11.
11. Youth Facing Disinformation – Why Journalists Matter 2026 This international opportunity invites journalists, journalism students, creators, educators, researchers, youth leaders and civil-society representatives to explore the role of journalism in helping young people respond to misinformation and disinformation. Participants will engage in discussions on media literacy, public trust, responsible communication and the ways digital platforms shape young people’s understanding of events. The programme is well suited to applicants who work in media, education, advocacy or youth engagement and want to build stronger cross-border networks while contributing practical ideas for more resilient information environments. Click here to apply | Deadline: Sep. 1.
12. Berlin Prize at the American Academy in Berlin 2027-2028 ($5,000 stipend) The Berlin Prize supports distinguished and emerging scholars, writers, journalists, artists and public intellectuals whose work can strengthen cultural and intellectual exchange between the United States and Germany. Fellows spend a residential period in Berlin, where they receive time, space and institutional support to advance major projects in the arts, humanities, social sciences, law, journalism or public policy. The programme offers a monthly stipend, accommodation and access to a vibrant community of thinkers and cultural practitioners. It is particularly valuable for applicants seeking an international setting in which to research, write, create and engage public audiences. Click here to apply | Deadline: Sep. 25.
13. Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers 2027-2028 ($90,000 stipend) The Cullman Center at the New York Public Library offers residential fellowships to outstanding academics, independent scholars, journalists, creative writers, translators and visual artists. Fellows receive an office, full access to the Library’s research collections and a stipend of $90,000 to support a major project. Eligible work may span literature, history, art, philosophy, politics, popular culture, urban studies and many other fields. The fellowship is particularly strong for writers and creators whose projects will benefit from sustained research, intellectual community and access to one of the world’s most significant library collections. Click here to apply | Deadline: Sep. 25.
14. UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition 2026
The UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition invites photographers to capture how technical and vocational education equips people for employment, innovation, inclusion and sustainable development. Entrants should submit powerful images that show practical skills in real settings and communicate the human value of vocational learning. Selected photographs may receive international exposure through UNESCO-UNEVOC platforms and publications. The competition is suitable for photographers, students, educators and visual storytellers interested in work, education, youth opportunity and community transformation.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 31.
15. MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme 2026/2027 (Fully-funded)
The MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme provides fully funded professional music training for talented young Nigerians. The two-year, full-time Diploma in Music covers areas including piano, voice, strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, organ and classical guitar. Applicants are assessed through written examinations, auditions and interviews and should demonstrate both musical potential and commitment to intensive study. The programme is a strong pathway for emerging performers seeking formal training, technical development, recognised qualifications and access to Nigeria’s professional music community.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 23.
16. Dawn Project Climate & Health Challenge 2026 The Dawn Project Climate & Health Challenge invites creative people to explore how climate change affects human health and wellbeing. Participants can use compelling storytelling and creative communication to make complex environmental issues understandable, relatable and urgent. The challenge is suitable for writers, visual artists, filmmakers, designers, photographers and other creators who want to connect climate action with everyday human experience. Strong submissions should demonstrate originality, emotional clarity and the ability to inspire awareness or action.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 31.
17. Leading Scholarship to Attend the One Young World Summit 2026
The Leading Scholarship supports exceptional young leaders from countries that are often underrepresented in major global decision-making spaces to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. Selected scholars receive delegate access, hotel accommodation, meals and return travel. The scholarship is open to applicants aged 18 to 35 who can demonstrate measurable leadership, innovative ideas and a sustained commitment to addressing local or global challenges. It provides an international platform for speaking, networking, learning and joining the One Young World Ambassador Community.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Oct. 31.
