UN Youth Delegate Programme

Country: European/International Level 

Duration: 1 year 

Procedure for involvement: 

Candidates are first nominated at the national level by the National Youth Councils. A committee at the EU level then selects two Youth Delegates from among the national nominees. 

Specific Criteria: 

Applicants must: 

• Be citizens of an EU Member State. 

• Be under 30 years old at the time of application. 

• Commit approximately 40 days per year to programme activities. 

• Demonstrate interest in fields related to UN activities, such as international relations, human rights, or climate action. 

• Have experience or motivation in youth advocacy. 

• Be available for travel to New York and Brussels. 

• Possess excellent written and spoken English skills 

Description: 

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), serves as the focal point for the UN’s work on youth. Within the Department, the Division for Inclusive Social Development, Programme on Youth Unit, coordinates the UN Youth Delegate Programme at the global level. Participation in decision-making is one of the key priority areas of the United Nations agenda on youth. One form of youth participation at the United Nations is through the inclusion of youth delegates in a country’s official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and various functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council. It is the responsibility of Member States to establish a youth delegate programme at the national level, and to decide who will represent the young people of their country at the United Nations. 

The roles of a youth delegate varies from country to country, but normally includes providing input to their delegation on issues related to youth and participation in their delegation’s work, such as through attending meetings and informal negotiations.

Youth delegates can participate in several intergovernmental meetings at the United Nations. Most official youth delegates participate in the General Assembly, but some also attend functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council. 

The European Union – United Nations Youth Delegate Programme offers young Europeans a unique opportunity to represent EU youth perspectives at the United Nations. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the EU Delegation to the UN in New York, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), National Youth Councils, and the European Youth Forum. 

Each year, two EU Youth Delegates are selected for a 12-month mandate starting in September. Their responsibilities include: 

• Representing EU youth at the UN General Assembly and other key UN events. 

• Advocating for youth rights and interests across the EU and within UN frameworks. 

• Collaborating with youth organizations and National Youth Councils. 

• Engaging in outreach activities, such as the “Who Rules the World” podcast. 

• Providing guidance to future cohorts of Youth Delegate 

Source: 

European Union External Action: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/call-applications-european-union-%E2%80%93-united-nations-youth-delegates-2025-%E2%80%93-2026_en?s=63

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/youth/un-youth-delegate-programme