Fully Funded Youth Leadership Forum in Iceland Aims to Tackle Climate Change

Applications are now open for the Youth Leadership Forum 2025, a fully funded leadership program focused on climate action, culminating in an in-person event in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October 2025. The program, a collaboration between the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Arctic Circle, seeks to empower young leaders from the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) and Arctic regions to address shared environmental challenges.

A Unique Opportunity for Cross-Regional Collaboration

The forum will select 12 youth leaders to participate in a year-long virtual fellowship, featuring monthly online meetings, webinars, and workshops. The selected fellows will engage in cross-regional collaboration, sharing experiences and developing solutions to climate-related issues. The in-person event in Iceland will provide an opportunity for intensive training and networking.

Program Objectives and Benefits

Enhance leadership skills of young people from the HKH and Arctic regions. Provide a platform to share perspectives and opinions on climate change. Facilitate cross-regional collaboration and knowledge exchange. Empower youth to organize local, regional, and global climate campaigns. Offer opportunities to participate in international forums and conferences. Provide certification of participation and reference letters upon successful completion. Build a network of HKH and Arctic youth leaders, activists, policymakers, and climate advocates.

Expert Perspective: Bridging the Arctic and Himalayan Divide

"The connection between the Arctic and the Himalayas, often referred to as the 'Third Pole,' is crucial to understanding global climate change," explains Dr. Anya Sharma, a climate policy expert at the University of Oslo, specializing in Arctic and Himalayan climate studies. "Both regions are experiencing accelerated warming and glacial melt, impacting water resources, ecosystems, and livelihoods. This forum provides a vital platform for young leaders from these regions to learn from each other and develop collaborative solutions." She further adds, "Empowering youth voices in climate action is essential for long-term sustainability and resilience."

Eligibility and Application Details

To be eligible for the Youth Leadership Forum 2025, applicants must:

Be aged 19–35 years. Be citizens of an HKH or Arctic country. Be part of a youth organization or program related to climate or environment. Demonstrate interest in Arctic and/or HKH environmental and climate issues. Possess leadership potential and be involved in volunteer work or climate-related activities. Be ready to collaborate with other youth climate networks. Demonstrate dedication to gender equality and inclusive engagement. Possess excellent English language and public speaking skills. Be comfortable with content creation and social media. Be available for 4–7 hours per month for 1 year. Have a laptop and good internet connection. Have passport validity for minimum 6 months after October 2025.

Application Process

Interested applicants must apply through the online nomination form, providing contact and personal information, educational background, and details of their involvement in youth-focused climate or environmental organizations. Required documents include a CV, a letter of endorsement, a short personal statement, a 2-minute video pitch, and a copy of the passport's personal information page.

Historical Context: The Growing Importance of Climate Leadership

The Youth Leadership Forum builds upon decades of international efforts to address climate change, from the early assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to the landmark Paris Agreement. However, increasingly, the focus is shifting towards empowering local communities and fostering youth leadership. "The youth are not just inheriting the problem; they are key to the solution," notes Professor Kenji Tanaka, a leading scholar in sustainable development at Kyoto University, specializing in international environmental cooperation. "By investing in youth leadership programs like this one, we are equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to drive meaningful change."

Funding and Logistics

The fully funded fellowship covers all costs associated with the in-person event in Iceland, including travel, accommodation, and participation fees. There are no participation fees for the virtual fellowship program. Participants will also benefit from capacity-building and training sessions led by climate experts from the Arctic and HKH regions.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The deadline to apply for the Youth Leadership Forum in Iceland 2025 is 31 July, 2025. Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline.

This forum represents a significant opportunity for young leaders to contribute to climate action and build a more sustainable future. It provides a unique platform for cross-regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leadership development, empowering youth to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.