The UNESCO SDG4 Youth & Student Network 2026/2027 for young education leaders.

Reach us on

Applications are now open for the UNESCO SDG4 Youth & Student Network. The SDG4 Youth & Student Network, managed by UNESCO, is looking for the next cohort of young education leaders for 2026-2027.

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.

SDG4 Youth & Student Network Program Details

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.

Eligibility Criteria

To join the SDG4 Youth & Student Network you need to meet the following criteria:

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).

What do members do?

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.

Membership is free and unremunerated. Joining the Network does not create any work relation with UNESCO nor any right to use UNESCO’s name and logo.

SDG4 Youth & Student Network Selection Process

The 2026-2027 cohort will be composed of 60 to 100 members. The selection will be carried out as follows:

May-July 2025: Call for applications
July-August 2025: Analysis of applications by a Selection Committee composed of UNESCO personnel and volunteer SDG4 Youth & Student Network Executive Committee members. At least another UN organization or office with a mandate on Youth will participate as observer to ensure transparency and fairness.
September 2025: Notification of selection

In analyzing the applications, the Selection Committee will pay particular attention to the following aspects:

Strong interest and expertise in education and sustainable development, at grassroots level.
Leadership qualities.
Active involvement in candidates’ communities or educational institutions.
Commitment to participating in the network for a two-year period (2026-2027).
Diversity, inclusion, geographical and gender balance.