Apply For UNESCO-AYCH Africa Youth Research Challenge 2026

UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN) and African Youth Climate Hub (AYCH) call for participation for the Africa Youth Research Challenge 2026. The Challenge is a research paper competition for young African researchers, students or young professionals aged 18-35 on climate change impact and solutions for the African continent, where 10 papers will be selected, and reformulated by their young authors into policy briefs to inform policy makers.

Who can apply:

a. Must be a young African aged 18-35, either living in Africa or be enrolled in an academy or university based in Africa, and possess a Bachelor’s Degree (minimum).

How to apply:

The African Youth Research Challenge (a joint initiative of UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network, and the African Youth Climate Hub) call for papers is OPEN NOW. Apply here https://youthclimatehub.org/research-challenge

Why Participate?

1. Join a high-level capacity-development programme in Morocco alongside African climate experts

2. Be one of 10 selected young researchers contributing to climate action through science-based insights.

3. Engage in an intergenerational policy dialogue, amplifying youth voices in decision-making spaces.

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4. Co-develop a policy brief with concrete recommendations to support climate strategies across Africa.

5. Collaborate and exchange knowledge with leading African researchers and experts.

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