Deadline: July 10, 2025
Are you passionate about education and eager to make a difference? The SDG4 Youth & Student Network, managed by UNESCO, is looking for the next cohort of young education leaders for 2026-2027. Apply now and be part of a global community driving change in education!
The SDG4 Youth & Student Network is a global community of young leaders and experts dedicated to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) – Quality Education. Managed by UNESCO, this Network empowers youth and students to contribute to educational policy, advocacy, and innovation. Members engage in various activities, including workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects, to promote inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The SDG4 Youth & Student Network is also the official body representing youth and students in the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, the global apex body for decision-making in education, composed of Ministers of Education and representatives of civil society, international organizations, donors, private sector and foundations.
Members participate in the Network in their personal capacity and serve for a period of 2 years: from January 2026 to December 2027. New members will also participate in inception activities together with current members between October and December 2025.
Duties
Members of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network play an active role in advancing global education objectives. Here are some examples of their work:
- They constitute thematic working groups (such as on inclusive education, education for sustainable development, education in emergencies, global citizenship education, digital learning & AI etc.) to collaborate on a wide range of initiatives, such as writing policy briefs and factsheets, organizing events and webinars, and leading advocacy campaigns to promote inclusive and equitable quality education.
- They elect regional representatives to serve in an Executive Committee. This committee ensures effective coordination and decision-making on all Network-related matters and ensures liaison with UNESCO.
- Additionally, two elected members of the Executive Committee sit in the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, serving as youth and student representatives. They are responsible for regularly consulting network members and other youth and students on education topics, to ensure that the voices of these groups are amplified in high-level discussions, and contribute to policy dialogues and decision-making processes.
By joining the Network, members commit to dedicating part of their time to organize and participate in consultations, campaigns and working groups. They also commit to regularly participate in the regular Monthly Network Meetings.
Eligibility
- Between the ages of 16 and 30.
- Be an active member of a national, regional and/or global non-governmental and not-for-profit organization of youth and students working in a field related to SDG4 – Education 2030.
- Be active in the fields related to SDG4 – Education 2030.
- Have no conflict of interest as per the Network Code of Conduct (e.g. hold government positions or employment in for-profit organizations and companies that may generate a conflict of interest).
Current and past members of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network are eligible to apply for the new cohort 2026-2027. However, the number of renewed members cannot represent more than 10% of the new cohort.
Application
Throughout the application, you will need to provide detailed information about your current work as SDG4 – Education 2030 advocate. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the questions ahead of starting the application process.
For more information, visit UNESCO SDG4 Youth & Student Network.
