Youth Travel Grants · Geneva, Switzerland.
Applications are now open for Youth Travel Grants to attend the first International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals, GFC IC 1, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 16 to 20, 2026. The opportunity is designed to support meaningful participation of children and youth in global chemicals and waste governance.
The travel grants are being coordinated through the Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform, CWYP, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP. Selected young delegates will have the opportunity to represent the children and youth constituency during an important international policy process addressing the safe management of chemicals and waste.
The GFC IC 1 will be preceded by the fourth Global Youth Forum on Chemicals and Waste, taking place from November 14 to 16, 2026. Youth delegates participating through the grant programme can engage in the Youth Forum as well as the main conference, contribute to collective youth policy recommendations, and participate in discussions with governments and other stakeholders.
The first International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals will bring governments, civil society organizations, researchers, businesses, youth representatives, and other stakeholders together to advance international cooperation on chemicals and waste management.
The Global Framework on Chemicals, formally known as the Global Framework on Chemicals: For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, was adopted in September 2023 at the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management.
The framework addresses a broad range of issues related to chemical safety, including hazardous pesticides, endocrine disrupting chemicals, pharmaceutical pollutants, and other sources of chemical exposure. It builds on the earlier Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and provides a coordinated framework for governments and stakeholders to strengthen chemicals and waste management.
The framework contains five strategic objectives and 28 targets, with most targets intended to be achieved between 2030 and 2035. Although the framework is voluntary rather than legally binding, it provides a common platform for strengthening international cooperation, mobilizing political support, and promoting safer management of chemicals throughout their life cycle.
Successful applicants may receive support through one of three participation options:
• Round trip international airfare for recipients of the fully funded travel grant.
• Accommodation with breakfast for fully funded travel grant recipients.
• Reimbursement of meals for fully funded travel grant recipients.
• Transportation support for fully funded travel grant recipients.
• Visa fee support for fully funded travel grant recipients.
• Low cost airfare or train travel within Europe of up to CHF 150 round trip for partially funded grant recipients.
• Accommodation with breakfast for partially funded grant recipients.
• Conference accreditation and registration support for applicants receiving the non funded registration option.
• Opportunity to participate in the fourth Global Youth Forum on Chemicals and Waste.
• Opportunity to contribute to youth policy recommendations.
• Opportunities to engage directly with country and stakeholder delegations.
• Opportunity to deliver spoken and written interventions during the conference.
• International networking with young people and stakeholders working on chemicals and waste governance.
Applicants can indicate the type of support for which they wish to be considered.
The fully funded option is intended for children and youth from low and middle income countries, as well as Indigenous youth from any region.
Selected participants receive international airfare, accommodation with breakfast, reimbursement of meals, transportation, and visa fee support.
The partially funded option is available to children and youth from any country or region.
Selected participants receive support for low cost airfare or train travel within Europe, up to CHF 150 round trip, together with accommodation including breakfast.
Applicants who are able to cover their own travel and accommodation costs can apply for registration support. Successful applicants under this option will receive an accreditation letter and support with registration for GFC IC 1.
Applicants selecting this option may be asked to provide additional information about how they intend to finance their travel and stay in Geneva.
Applicants for the GFC IC 1 Youth Travel Grants must meet the following requirements:
• Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Applicants must be available to travel and remain in Geneva from November 13 to 20, 2026.
• Applicants must be committed to participating in the full duration of the programme.
• Applicants must submit the completed application before the stated deadline.
• Applicants for the fully funded option must be from a low or middle income country or be Indigenous youth from any region.
• Applicants for the partially funded option can be from any country or region.
• Applicants for registration support can be from any country or region.
• Previous United Nations or policy experience is not required.
• Applicants with experience or interest in chemicals and waste through advocacy, science, research, journalism, storytelling, education, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
• Personal information.
• Date of birth.
• Country and region of residence.
• Information demonstrating eligibility for the selected funding option.
• Information about their experience or interest in chemicals and waste issues.
• Details about relevant advocacy, research, science, journalism, storytelling, education, or community engagement activities.
• Information about their availability to participate in the Youth Forum and GFC IC 1.
• Information required to assess their preferred travel grant category.
Applicants should ensure that all information provided in the application is accurate and clearly demonstrates their interest in youth participation in global chemicals and waste governance.
Applications will be assessed to identify young people who can meaningfully contribute to the children and youth constituency at GFC IC 1.
Important considerations include:
• Eligibility under the relevant age and geographic requirements.
• Availability for the full programme period.
• Demonstrated interest in chemicals and waste issues.
• Experience or potential in advocacy, science, research, journalism, storytelling, education, or related fields.
• Ability to contribute constructive youth perspectives to international policy discussions.
• Commitment to participating actively in the Youth Forum and conference.
• Potential to represent youth priorities effectively during engagement with stakeholders.
Previous United Nations or policy experience is not required, making the opportunity accessible to young people who are developing their experience in environmental and policy spaces.
Geneva, Switzerland.
Youth Travel Grants
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