Hamburg Sustainability Conference HSC Youth Ambassador Program 2027

Applications are open for the Hamburg Sustainability Conference HSC Youth Ambassador Program 2027, an international opportunity for young sustainability leaders from the Global South to participate in high level discussions on sustainable development and help shape the global sustainability agenda.

The Hamburg Sustainability Conference brings together policymakers, private sector leaders, researchers, civil society representatives and other decision makers to develop partnerships and practical solutions for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The conference is a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations Development Programme, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the Michael Otto Foundation.

Through the Youth Ambassador Program, selected young leaders become active contributors rather than observers. Youth Ambassadors can contribute to panels, workshops, moderations and high level dialogues, while sharing their experiences, expertise and sustainability initiatives with international decision makers and other participants.

About the Youth Ambassador Program

The HSC Youth Ambassador Program is designed to amplify the voices of young community leaders who are already working to address sustainability challenges and create measurable impact in their communities.

The programme connects young leaders from the Global South with policymakers, business leaders, experts, journalists, local youth and fellow sustainability advocates. It also provides opportunities for Youth Ambassadors to exchange knowledge and experiences and develop lasting international connections.

The Hamburg Sustainability Conference focuses on building partnerships and accelerating practical action toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The Youth Ambassador Program gives young leaders an opportunity to contribute their perspectives directly to these conversations and help develop solutions for a more sustainable future.

Opportunity Benefits

• Fully funded participation at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference

• Travel costs covered

• Accommodation costs covered

• Opportunity to participate in conference sessions as a speaker or attendee depending on expertise

• Opportunity to contribute insights, experiences and sustainability solutions to global leaders

• Access to more than 1,600 international leaders and decision makers

• Networking opportunities with policymakers, business leaders, experts and press representatives

• Opportunity to connect with young people and sustainability leaders in Hamburg

• Participation in the global HSC Youth Ambassador community

• Opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow Youth Ambassadors before, during and after the conference

• Opportunity to contribute to panels, workshops, moderations and high level dialogues

• Participation in the HSC Youth Roundtable Series planned for December 2026, subject to selection and programme arrangements

Programme Areas

Applicants can select the sustainability and social impact themes that best reflect their work. These include:

• Climate mitigation and decarbonization

• Renewable energy and energy access

• Sustainable food systems and agriculture

• Biodiversity and nature conservation

• Water security, sanitation and hygiene

• Circular economy and waste management

• Sustainable cities, housing and urban development

• Sustainable mobility and transport

• Technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation

• Climate finance and impact investing

• Public policy and governance

• Good health and wellbeing

• Gender equality and women's empowerment

• Other relevant sustainability and social impact areas

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old.

• Applicants must come from and reside in a Global South country included on the current OECD Development Assistance Committee list of Official Development Assistance recipients.

• Applicants must be young leaders actively driving sustainability efforts in their communities.

• Applicants should have a demonstrated record of delivering concrete solutions to sustainability challenges.

• Applicants should be able to show how they mobilize supporters or communities to advance their work.

• Applicants may have founded their own initiatives or contributed to existing networks and organizations.

• Applicants must be able to communicate confidently in English.

• Applicants must be able to dedicate sufficient time to participate actively in the programme.

• Applicants must be prepared to contribute to preparatory activities before the main conference.

• Selected participants are expected to be available for the planned Youth Roundtable Series from December 7 to 11, 2026.

• Previous participation in international sustainability conferences or youth programmes is not required.

Required Application Information

Applicants will be asked to provide information including:

• First name and surname

• Date of birth

• Gender

• Email address

• Country of origin

• Country of residence

• Current occupation or professional activity

• Name of organization, company, startup or initiative where applicable

• Selected sustainability and social impact themes

• Description of sustainability work, projects, achievements and future plans

• Information about the impact of the applicant's work and the communities or audiences reached

• Description of challenges encountered in sustainability work

• Response explaining which HSC 2026 session the applicant would most like to have participated in and why

• Example of private sector collaboration with government or civil society to address a sustainability challenge in the applicant's country

• Information about participation in other sustainability related international conferences or youth programmes

• LinkedIn profile

• Links to social media, websites or other communication channels that showcase the applicant's work

• Agreement to the programme's privacy policy

Selection Process

Applications open on October 6, 2026, with the deadline set for October 19, 2026. Shortlisted candidates are expected to participate in interview rounds toward the end of October.

Participation confirmations are expected by the end of October or early November 2026. Selected Youth Ambassadors will then take part in the planned Youth Roundtable Series in December 2026 before joining the Hamburg Sustainability Conference in May 2027.

The selection process is intended to identify young leaders with genuine sustainability engagement, concrete community impact, strong communication abilities and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to international discussions on sustainable development.

How to Apply

1. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that your country of residence is included in the eligible Global South countries based on the OECD Development Assistance Committee list.
2. Prepare information about your sustainability work, including projects, achievements, impact, challenges and future plans.
3. Identify the sustainability themes that best represent your work.
4. Prepare your responses to the programme questions, particularly the questions about sustainability impact, private sector collaboration and the Hamburg Sustainability Conference.
5. Gather your LinkedIn profile and relevant links showing your work through websites, social media, publications or other communication channels.
6. Complete the official HSC Youth Ambassador Program 2027 application form.
7. Submit your application before October 19, 2026.
8. If shortlisted, participate in the interview process and remain available for the programme activities beginning with the Youth Roundtable Series in December 2026.