Deadline: May 30, 2025
Description of the Opportunity
Are you an undergraduate student interested in a career in sustainability? Do you want to take a leading role in developing solutions for local and global environmental challenges? Check out this free capacity development programme for youth. This capacity development programme empowers youth to develop solutions for local and global sustainability challenges.
The Global Youth MIDORI platform (GYM) was launched in 2024 by UNU-IAS and the AEON Environmental Foundation. It aims to empower youth to take a leading role in developing solutions for local and global environmental challenges. GYM offers various learning, capacity building and networking opportunities to equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to address biodiversity loss, climate change and other sustainability challenges.
The programme is a platform for expanding knowledge, engaging with other youth, networking and actively contributing to the global dialogue on sustainable development. It is open to undergraduate students from all countries who are committed to tackling environmental challenges and accelerating meaningful youth participation.
Benefits
- Participation in the programme is free.
- Successful applicants will participate in an intensive three-day online training, comprising lectures by experts on global environmental issues with a focus on climate change, biodiversity and meaningful youth participation.
- On the third day, participants will deliver a speech reflecting on what they have learned and awards will be presented to the top four participants based on their speech performances.
- All eligible participants will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the programme.
- Recipients of the Best Performance Award and the Runner-up Award in the speech contest will be granted the opportunity to participate in the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, where they will discuss their views at a side event, engage with other international stakeholders and present at a debriefing event upon their return to reflect and share experiences.
- For the speech contest winners who will attend COP30, the GYM Secretariat will cover the cost of round-trip airfare (economy class) and allowances (meals, accommodation and local transportation) based on the UNU travel regulations for approximately three days of the conference.
- All GYM participants are expected to join various follow-up activities (i.e. outreach events) that the secretariat will organize through 2025 and beyond.
- Participants are also expected to contribute to enhancing the platform by connecting with GYM alumni and engaging in next year’s GYM activities.
Prizes
Best Performance Award (1 person)
- Awarded to the top presenter
- Recipient will be invited to participate in the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil for approximately three days on-site between 10 and 21 November 2025 (exact date TBC)
Runner-up Award (1 person)
- Awarded to the second-best presenter
- Recipient will be invited to participate in UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil for approximately three days on-site between 10 and 21 November 2025 (exact date TBC)
Third Place (2 persons)
- Awarded to two third-best presenters
- Recipients will be invited to participate in an international conference(s) hosted by UNU-IAS (dates to be confirmed)
Eligibility
To be considered for participation, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in a university undergraduate programme in any country (as of 1 May 2025)
- Be proficient in English and able to follow and engage in discussions
- Have reliable internet access and equipment to fully participate in online sessions (a computer device with video and microphone capabilities)
- Be in good health and able to participate in all programme activities, including potential travel and international engagements
- Complete assignments on time and respond to the GYM Secretariat’s inquiries in a timely manner
- Be fully available to participate in the online training sessions, which will be conducted during in the daytime in Japan
- Not be funded by other schemes to participate in COP30
- Have experience in or be currently engaged in actions to address climate change or loss of biodiversity
- Not have previously participated in GYM
All applicants must agree to the following:
- UNU Policy on Personal Data Protection
- UNU Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment at UNU Events
- Use of Images, Audio, and Video
- GYM Participation Consent Form
For more information, please visit Global Youth MIDORI Platform
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