UN Youth Champion for Environment and Peace Programme (Cyprus)

Deadline: 20-Sep-2026

The UN Youth Champion for Environment and Peace Programme is inviting young people in Cyprus to participate in immersive environmental and peacebuilding workshops and develop community-focused environmental initiatives through intercommunal teams. Now in its sixth year, the programme brings together young people from different communities across Cyprus to address shared environmental challenges through dialogue, cooperation, and joint action. Participants will receive training and mentorship and work in intercommunal teams to develop environmental action plans, with each team receiving a small grant to implement its proposed activities.

About the UN Youth Champion for Environment and Peace Programme

The programme is a collaborative initiative of UNFICYP and the British Council’s Youth Connect programme. It is designed to empower young people from all communities in Cyprus to work together on environmental challenges while strengthening peacebuilding and cooperation. The programme recognises the connection between environmental challenges and wider social issues, particularly as climate change can contribute to insecurity and inequality. What Is the Focus of the 2026 Programme? The 2026 programme focuses on environmental peacebuilding. Participants will explore how environmental action can create opportunities for dialogue, trust, cooperation, and stronger relationships between communities. The programme combines environmental learning with peacebuilding activities and gives participants an opportunity to turn their ideas into practical environmental initiatives. When and Where Will the Workshops Take Place? Immersive workshops will be held in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia.

The workshops are scheduled for:

- 3 October 2026 - 4 October 2026 - 10 October 2026 - 11 October 2026

Participants are expected to attend all workshop days

What Will Participants Do? Participants will take part in a range of interactive activities designed to develop environmental and peacebuilding skills.

The programme includes:

- Interactive workshops. - Group work. - Mentorship from environmental and peacebuilding experts. - Collaboration with participants from different communities. - Development of environmental action plans. - Implementation of environmental initiatives. - Opportunities for networking with environmental and peacebuilding organisations. Participants will work in intercommunal teams to develop practical responses to shared environmental challenges. Intercommunal Environmental Action Teams A central feature of the programme is the creation of intercommunal teams. Teams will work together to develop environmental action plans that promote: - Dialogue. - Trust. - Cooperation. - Environmental sustainability. - Joint action across communities. The teams will then implement their environmental actions with financial support from the programme. Small Grants for Environmental Actions Each intercommunal team will receive a small grant to support the implementation of its environmental action plan. The supported actions must be completed by February 2027. The grants are intended to help participants turn their ideas developed during the workshops into practical environmental activities. What Skills Can Participants Develop? The programme provides opportunities for young people to strengthen a range of personal and professional skills.

Participants can develop skills including

- Confidence. - Adaptability. - Critical thinking. - Teamwork. - Communication. - Environmental awareness. - Peacebuilding and cooperation. The combination of training, group work, mentorship, and practical implementation allows participants to gain experience beyond the workshop environment. Mentorship and Expert Support Participants will receive mentorship from experts and practitioners working in environmental and peacebuilding fields. This support can help teams understand environmental challenges, develop realistic action plans, and strengthen their ability to work collaboratively across communities. Networking Opportunities Participants will also have opportunities to connect with a wider network of environmental and peacebuilding organisations. These connections can help young people learn about organisations and initiatives working on environmental sustainability and peacebuilding in Cyprus. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to young people who meet the specified eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be 18–30 years old. - Live in Cyprus. - Be from any community living in Cyprus. - Have not previously participated in the UN Youth Champions programme. - Demonstrate strong interest in environmental and peace issues. - Demonstrate motivation to participate. - Commit to attending all workshop days. - Have good knowledge of English. - Be able to enter the UN buffer zone in Nicosia. Is Participation Free? Yes. Participation in the programme is free. This allows eligible young people to take part in the workshops and programme activities without a participation fee. Is Accommodation Available? Accommodation in Nicosia may be available for participants who are unable to commute to the workshop location. Accommodation is subject to availability. Participants who require accommodation should therefore consider this requirement when applying. Why Is Environmental Peacebuilding Important? The programme connects environmental action with peacebuilding by bringing young people from different communities together to work on shared challenges. Climate change can intensify insecurity and inequality, making cooperation and resilience increasingly important. Through joint environmental initiatives, participants can explore practical ways to strengthen relationships and contribute to more sustainable and cohesive communities. Programme Timeline The main workshops will take place on four days in October 2026: - 3 October 2026 - 4 October 2026 - 10 October 2026 - 11 October 2026 Following the workshops, intercommunal