Young people are key agents for social change, economic growth, environmental protection and technological innovation.

As countries across the world continue to take bold steps towards decarbonizing their energy systems, the need to include youth in the energy transformation is becoming increasingly clear.

Today's youth will lead the sustainable development agenda of tomorrow.

It will be incumbent upon them to inject renewed momentum into the global energy and development discourse, and it is therefore only fit that they have a seat at the table.

IRENA’s aim to spread awareness on the multiple benefits of renewable energy is not limited to information dissemination alone – the Agency strives to ensure that various stakeholders including the youth are given a platform to voice their input, and that their voice propels the renewable energy discourse to greater heights.

IRENA’s inaugural youth event will be held on 10 January 2020, in the margins of the Agency’s tenth Assembly.

Structured under the theme Renewables beyond 2030: The Key Role of Youth in the Global Energy Transformation,

the Agency’s first major event for and on youth recognizes the vital role that young people play in achieving climate stability and advancing the sustainable development agenda and energy transformation at large.

Through a series of interactive sessions, including open dialogues, participants will be able to initiate concrete contributions to the global energy discourse from the perspective of youth, alongside government representatives and energy thought leaders.

The IRENA Youth Forum is open to youth of a minimum age of 16 years. The event strives for global and balanced geographical representation of youth, and highly encourages applications from youth in LDCs, SIDS and developing countries.

The pioneer group of youth will comprise 40 participants selected to take part in the IRENA Youth Forum: The New Generation of Decision Makers.

Minimum age of 16 years to apply for the IRENA’s inaugural youth event by submitting a completed application form and the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Brief essay on a topic of special interest to youth pertaining to renewable energy and sustainable development; this could also include a project the applicants have worked on or are working on at the moment (1.000/1.200 words)

The deadline for individual applications is 25 October 2019 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time). Participants will be selected based on their commitment to raise awareness on or advance the deployment of renewable energy and sustainable development in their community.

Submit an application and be part of the new generation of decision-makers with IRENA.

If you have any questions, please contact youth@irena.org.