Apply to Host the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) 2026: Lead Climate Action in Your Region

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Application Deadline: June 12, 2026

Young climate leaders and youth-led organizations now have an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of climate action. Applications are officially open to host the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) 2026, a major youth-led climate event recognized under YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

As climate challenges continue to affect communities worldwide, particularly across Africa and other vulnerable regions, young people are increasingly becoming powerful voices in environmental advocacy, policy engagement, and sustainable development. Hosting an RCOY provides a unique opportunity for youth organizations to facilitate meaningful regional conversations and contribute directly to global climate discussions.

RCOY events serve as important platforms where young people from different countries can collaborate, share ideas, develop solutions, and create collective recommendations that feed into larger international climate processes, including the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP).

If your organization is passionate about climate action and youth engagement, this could be your chance to lead one of the most influential youth climate gatherings in your region.

About the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY)

The Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) is one of the three official youth climate conferences coordinated under YOUNGO. These conferences were established to strengthen collaboration among young climate advocates across different countries and ensure that regional perspectives are represented in international climate negotiations.

YOUNGO serves as the official constituency representing children and youth within the UNFCCC framework. Through its global network of youth-led organizations and activists, YOUNGO provides structured pathways for young people to contribute to climate policy and sustainable development discussions.

The three key youth climate conferences under YOUNGO include:

Local Conference of Youth (LCOY)

LCOYs are organized at national or sub-national levels and bring together young people within a specific country to discuss local climate challenges and priorities.

Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY)

RCOYs unite youth from multiple countries within a geographic region to coordinate regional climate perspectives, strengthen partnerships, and prepare collective inputs for global climate discussions.

Global Conference of Youth (GCOY)

GCOY is the annual global youth climate conference that typically takes place ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), bringing together youth representatives from around the world.

By hosting an RCOY, organizations become part of a broader movement that ensures youth voices are heard in climate decision-making at regional and global levels.

Why Hosting RCOY 2026 Matters

Climate change continues to impact food security, livelihoods, health systems, biodiversity, and economic development worldwide. Young people are often among the most affected groups, yet they are also among the most innovative and proactive in developing solutions.

Hosting an RCOY allows organizations to:

  • Strengthen youth participation in climate governance.
  • Facilitate regional collaboration across borders.
  • Build networks among climate activists, researchers, policymakers, and youth leaders.
  • Generate regional climate recommendations and policy inputs.
  • Increase visibility for local and regional climate initiatives.
  • Create opportunities for capacity building and leadership development.

For African organizations especially, hosting an RCOY can amplify regional climate priorities and ensure that the voices of young Africans contribute meaningfully to global climate negotiations.

Benefits of Hosting the Regional Conference of Youth 2026

Organizations selected to host an RCOY can expect several valuable benefits, including:

  • Official recognition and endorsement from YOUNGO.
  • Increased visibility within international climate networks.
  • Opportunity to convene youth leaders from multiple countries.
  • Stronger partnerships with climate-focused organizations and stakeholders.
  • Contribution to regional and global climate policy discussions.
  • Enhanced organizational credibility and leadership in youth climate engagement.
  • Access to YOUNGO frameworks, guidance, and support processes.
  • Opportunity to shape regional youth climate priorities and recommendations.

Beyond the event itself, hosting an RCOY can create lasting partnerships and strengthen an organization’s role within the global climate movement.

Eligibility Criteria

To be officially recognized as a Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY), proposed conferences must meet several key requirements.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed event:

  • Is youth-led and youth-driven.
  • Represents participants from multiple countries within a defined geographic region.
  • Aligns with YOUNGO’s frameworks, values, and policies.
  • Produces a Regional Youth Statement.
  • Coordinates with relevant Local Conferences of Youth (LCOYs).
  • Complies with YOUNGO’s Conflict of Interest standards.
  • Submits all required reporting and documentation.
  • Demonstrates the capacity to organize and coordinate a regional climate event.

Youth-led organizations, climate networks, youth coalitions, environmental groups, and other eligible youth-focused entities are encouraged to review the official application guidelines carefully before applying.

Application Process

Interested organizations should review all supporting documents before completing the application.

Required resources include:

  • Updated RCOY Policy document.
  • Application questions.
  • Review and evaluation criteria.

Applicants are encouraged to study these documents thoroughly to understand hosting responsibilities, reporting requirements, and selection expectations.

Application Deadline

Deadline: 12 June 2026 at 23:59 UTC

Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered, so early preparation is strongly recommended.

Tips for a Strong Application

Competition to host major international youth events can be significant. If you plan to apply, consider the following strategies:

Demonstrate Regional Reach

Show evidence that your organization has strong connections across multiple countries and can engage diverse youth stakeholders.

Highlight Previous Experience

Include examples of conferences, trainings, climate campaigns, or youth engagement initiatives you have successfully organized.

Showcase Your Team

Clearly explain the expertise, leadership, and organizational structure behind your proposed event.

Present a Clear Vision

Explain how your RCOY will contribute to youth climate engagement, regional collaboration, and policy advocacy.

Prioritize Inclusion

Strong applications often demonstrate how they will include underrepresented groups, indigenous communities, rural youth, women, and other marginalized voices.

Why Youth Climate Leadership Is More Important Than Ever

Young people are no longer waiting for change—they are driving it. Across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and beyond, youth-led climate initiatives are influencing policy, mobilizing communities, and creating innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

The Regional Conference of Youth serves as a critical bridge between local action and international climate negotiations. It empowers young leaders to move beyond awareness and become active participants in shaping climate policy and sustainable development agendas.

For organizations committed to climate justice, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment, hosting RCOY 2026 represents a remarkable opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Final Thoughts

The call to host the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) 2026 is more than an event application—it is an opportunity to strengthen youth climate leadership, foster regional collaboration, and contribute to global climate action.

If your organization has the vision, commitment, and capacity to bring together young climate leaders across borders, now is the time to step forward. Review the application requirements carefully, prepare a compelling proposal, and submit your application before the deadline.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE

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