The UN in Cyprus and the British Council are pleased to offer for the third consecutive year the UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme that will focus on environmental peacebuilding and climate activism on 26 and 27 November and 3 and 4 December 2022 (both online and in person in Nicosia).

The programme will take place in the backdrop of the COP 27 UN Climate Conference and is echoing the UN Secretary’s General’s urgent call for action to confront the climate crisis - the defining issue of our time - and aims to nurture climate and peace activists, as well as young people that are demanding change and a more peaceful future with no inequalities.

We seek to engage with dynamic young people from all communities living in Cyprus to undertake an exciting online and in person two weekend long learning journey with us. Together with experts, youth activists and trainers from Cyprus and abroad, you will learn about environmental peacebuilding and the climate crisis, climate advocacy and work with the other participants.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to participate in custom made workshops and sessions open to Youth Champions alumni, learn about opportunities to receive support to develop initiatives as groups and become connected with local and international organisations, activists and the inspiring network of Youth Champions.

If you are living in Cyprus, aged 18-30 and like the sound of this, we would like to hear from you! The programme will run online and in person in the Nicosia buffer zone during two weekends:

Saturday, 26 November  

Sunday, 27 November

Saturday, 3 December

Sunday, 4 December

We will announce the days that the programme will be in person and online soon.

The deadline for applications is 6 November.

Eligibility criteria: 

• Aged 18-30, from any community living in Cyprus  
• A strong will to make a significant contribution towards a peaceful and sustainable future on the island 
• An interest in the climate crisis and climate advocacy and becoming active in these issues
• Commitment and motivation to actively participate throughout the 2 weekends long programme

• Fluency in English  
• A wish to develop interpersonal relations with participants from all communities living in Cyprus and work together for a common cause 
• A desire to find out more about the work of the UN and the British Council related to youth action on climate crisis and what the UN does in Cyprus  

The call is open only to people that did not benefit from previous UN Youth Champions programmes.  ***Opportunities to UN Youth Champions alumni to develop their skills and develop actions in teams will be offered in 2023.

No previous experience in environmental peacebuilding, climate crisis, climate advocacy and activism are required. 

We strive for gender diversity and equal representation among youth from all communities living in Cyprus. Based on availability and relevant interest, spots may be available for persons over 30 years old. Local transportation options to Nicosia and accommodation in Nicosia during the in-person days of the programme will be available based on demand for those unable to commute to Nicosia.

What to expect:  

A full day long online and in person programme that will focus on joint learning. It will include taught sessions, discussions, and workshops with experts from the UN and UN agencies in Cyprus and abroad, the British Council, young climate activists from Cyprus and abroad, and group work. In the group work sessions, you will get to know more closely the other participants and work together in different challenges with the support of our team.

Participation during all days of the programme is necessary and we will request that all participants keep their cameras turned on during the online sessions.

Certificates of participation to those that will attend all days of the programme will be provided. 

After the end of the programme, additional activities that will be open to all Youth Champions alumni and other youth, will be organized. These will include climate advocacy related workshop/s, networking sessions with environmental activists and organizations and other. Participation in these activities is encouraged but not obligatory. Furthermore, we will provide opportunities through other programmes for teams to implement and develop actions, receive mentoring, request seed funding, etc.

Please note that being a part of the Youth Champions initiative does not imply a full-time role nor any form of employment by the UN. Participation in the initiative is honorary, nonremunerated (no UN emoluments nor entitlements) and does not entail speaking on behalf of the UN or UNFICYP, nor UN privileges and immunities for participants. 

How to apply: 

Fill in the application form by clicking here by Sunday, 13 November. 

Applicants may be contacted for an interview. We aim to notify successful applicants by 16 November. Selected participants will receive a detailed programme for the two weekends. More information about additional workshops and opportunities will be announced later. Please note that some programme points may be subject to change but not the dates. 

For any queries, please contact us at unficyp-youthchampions@un.org.  

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by the individuals or group designated as UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace are expressed in their personal capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of the United Nations, UNFICYP and the British Council their officials or personnel.