Country: Italy
Location: Rosolina Mare, Italy
Organization: UNESCO
Program Name: 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum
Category: Forum
Deadline: 23 March 2026 at 23:59 CET
UNESCO has announced the 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum, which will be held in Rosolina Mare, Italy from 18 May 2026 to 22 May 2026. The official event page identifies it as an in-person event.
Overview
UNESCO describes the forum as a key milestone for strengthening youth participation in the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The 2026 edition follows the previous Global MAB Youth Forums held in 2017 and 2019.
Theme
The official theme of the forum is “Committed to the Future We Want.” UNESCO states that this edition is aligned with the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) and reflects a strengthened MAB Youth commitment to addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development.
What the Forum Aims to Do
The objectives published by UNESCO include helping MAB Youth contribute to the implementation of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan, turning findings from the World MAB Youth Mapping Survey into shared priorities and concrete action pathways, encouraging exchange of youth-led practices in Biosphere Reserves, strengthening coordination and capacity-building among youth actors, producing youth-led recommendations for governance and future action, and identifying ways to better integrate youth into MAB governance structures and decision-making.
Eligibility
The forum is intended for young people aged 18 to 35 who are actively engaged in or connected to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The page gives examples such as living, working, studying, volunteering, conducting research, or supporting Biosphere Reserve-related activities. UNESCO also states that the forum has a maximum of 200 participants.
Application Categories
UNESCO provides two distinct application pathways. One is for designated National MAB Youth Focal Points applying as official representatives. The other is the open call for MAB Youth Participants who meet the eligibility conditions and apply through an Expression of Interest process.
For National MAB Youth Focal Points, UNESCO states that participation is not subject to a competitive selection process if the required documentation is submitted. For MAB Youth Participants applying through the open call, selection is competitive and based on merit, geographical balance, gender parity, and relevance to the forum’s objectives.
Closing Date
The Call for Expression of Interest will close on 23 March 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Application Process
Applicants must submit an online expression of interest through the application form. UNESCO states that the application includes basic information and category-specific supporting documents. The UN event page also says that registration is currently open.
Documents for National MAB Youth Focal Points
This category requires a confirmation letter of designation from the MAB Secretariat, a short description of experience or engagement related to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, a brief statement of contribution to the forum, a brief statement on follow-up at national or regional levels after the forum, and an indication of confirmed travel funding if applicable. UNESCO sets a 250-word limit for the narrative statements.
Documents for Open Call Participants
Applicants under the open call must submit a recent CV, a short description of their Biosphere Reserve-related experience or initiatives, a statement on their planned contributions and expected outcomes from the forum, a brief explanation of how they will apply the forum’s outcomes afterward, a letter of endorsement or support from a Biosphere Reserve or the relevant MAB National Committee or National Commission for UNESCO, and an indication of confirmed travel funding if available. UNESCO applies a 250-word limit to the written narrative items.
Support Provided
The official page states that food and accommodation costs in Italy during the forum will be covered by the organizers. It also states that limited financial support for travel expenses may be available, depending on funding availability and eligibility criteria.
Organising Bodies
The organizers named by UNESCO are Po Delta Biosphere Reserve, Colli Euganei Biosphere Reserve, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo, the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, the UNESCO MAB Secretariat, the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, and the Veneto Region.
Contact
For enquiries, the official contact is the UNESCO MAB Secretariat at mab@unesco.org.
