With a focus on delegates from the least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS), indigenous peoples, and other minority groups worldwide, the International Youth Climate Delegate Program (International YCDP) offered by the United Nations Climate Change  will integrate 100 youth into the process of negotiating global climate policy.

Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui, the COP28 Youth Climate Champion, will be in charge of this activity, which will be run in conjunction with YOUNGO, the UNFCCC’s official children and youth constituency (UNFCCC).

Mentioned below are just a few of the program’s set targets::

• Ensure that youth views and proposals are fully integrated into global climate policymaking and dialogues.
• Build youth skills, capacity, knowledge, and networks, particularly in the most impacted countries, to engage in climate processes.
• Provide a model for the COP process on youth inclusion.

The timeframe in which the program will run:

The International YCDP runs from March to December 2023. The timeline for the selection period is expected to be as follows:

Applications open March 15 and will close by 7 April, 2023.

A selection committee, run and staffed by YOUNGO, will shortlist candidates and invite them for interviews on a rolling basis.

Shortlisted candidates will also be asked to submit a short essay on a climate-related topic specified by the committee.

Final interviews will be conducted between mid-to-end April.

Candidates interested in selection for the June SB58 Bonn intersessional are encouraged to apply early and indicate existing EU travel authorization in their applications.

YOUNGO will inform candidates of selection by early May and the 100 selected delegates will be announced later that month.

The program will run from May through December 2023.

More information and the application form ca be found through: https://cop28.com/en/youth-program