IRENA Youth Forum

The IRENA Youth Forum 2027 is an international platform organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency to strengthen youth participation in the global renewable energy transition. The 2027 edition will take place in Abu Dhabi alongside activities connected with the IRENA Assembly.

The Forum will focus on the theme “Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems.” Participants will explore the infrastructure, technologies, policies and partnerships needed to integrate larger shares of renewable energy into electricity systems.

IRENA aims to use the Forum to strengthen youth participation in energy and climate discussions, improve knowledge and skills, explore the role young people can play in energy-transition finance, and build connections between youth, governments, the private sector, academia and international organisations.

The core Youth Forum will take place on 6–7 January 2027 and will include a High-Level Opening and interactive activities. A closing session is scheduled for 8 January 2027 during the Seventeenth IRENA Assembly, followed by youth-led activities from 9–13 January 2027.

Applicants should understand that not every selected participant will necessarily receive full funding. IRENA confirms up to 40 fully funded places, while additional participants may be invited on partially funded or self-funded terms.

• Applicants must be 18–35 years old at the time of the Forum.
• Applications are welcome from all countries worldwide.
• Pakistani nationals are therefore eligible, provided they meet the other requirements.
• Applicants should be actively engaged in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation or a related field.
• Applicants should be leading or contributing to projects, start-ups, research or advocacy initiatives that advance the energy transition.
• Applicants should demonstrate motivation to collaborate with peers and partners and help scale impact globally.
• All applications must be submitted in English.
• No specific university degree, academic level or GPA requirement is published by IRENA.
• No specific prior work-experience duration is stated.

For up to 40 fully funded participants, IRENA confirms:

• Travel support.
• Accommodation.
• Visa support.
• No application fee.
• No participation fee.
• Participation in the IRENA Youth Forum in Abu Dhabi.
• Exposure to international renewable energy and energy-policy discussions.
• Opportunities to connect with youth leaders and stakeholders from government, industry, academia and international organisations.

Additional selected participants may be invited on:

• Partially funded terms.
• Self-funded terms.

IRENA does not currently publish a separate detailed supporting-document checklist on the public Youth Forum page.

For the initial application, applicants must:

• Complete the official online Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
• Submit the application in English.
• Provide the information and responses requested in the online form.

The official public information does not specifically state that the following are mandatory at the initial application stage:

• CV/résumé.
• Passport scan.
• Academic transcripts.
• Degree certificates.
• Recommendation letters.
• IELTS/TOEFL certificate.

IRENA specifically states that selection will consider:

• Demonstrated commitment to the energy transition.
• Geographic balance.
• Gender balance.
• Active engagement in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation or related fields.
• Contribution to projects, start-ups, research or advocacy initiatives.
• Motivation to collaborate with peers and partners to scale impact globally.

• Engage directly with international renewable energy and climate discussions.
• Learn more about grids, energy storage and flexible renewable-energy systems.
• Build knowledge of global energy policy and the energy transition.
• Network with young leaders, policymakers, researchers and industry stakeholders.
• Share youth-led projects, research and innovations with an international audience.
• Develop collaboration and professional connections across countries and sectors.
• Gain exposure to IRENA and activities connected with its global Assembly.
• Strengthen your profile in renewable energy, sustainability and climate leadership.