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Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 Portugal
The Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 (GYIS) is an international youth leadership summit organised by the Council for Global Affairs and Development (CGAD) in Porto, Portugal, from 3 to 6 September 2026, open to students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, and changemakers of all nationalities aged 15 and above with no IELTS or TOEFL requirement. Offering 25 fully funded and 35 partially funded seats, the summit covers airfare, accommodation, meals, visa support, and certification for fully funded delegates. A non-refundable application fee of $15.99 applies. The deadline is 1 July 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Funded International Youth Leadership Summit |
| Organising Body | Council for Global Affairs and Development (CGAD) |
| Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 4 Days |
| Location | Porto, Portugal |
| Last Date to Apply | 1 July 2026 |
About the Program
The Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 Portugal is CGAD’s flagship international youth initiative, designed to empower young people from across the globe through structured leadership development, innovation programming, expert mentorship, and deep intercultural exchange in Porto — a UNESCO World Heritage city internationally recognised for its vibrant youth culture, innovation ecosystem, and sustainable urban development. The summit brings together young leaders, changemakers, entrepreneurs, NGO workers, and activists for four intensive days of leadership workshops, expert panel discussions, mentorship sessions, leadership simulations, and networking opportunities with peers from diverse national and professional backgrounds. Consequently, participants leave Porto with applied leadership skills, a meaningful international network, and direct exposure to some of the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. Furthermore, a single application to the GYIS 2026 automatically considers candidates across all funded participation tiers — fully funded, partially funded, and self-funded — simplifying the process and maximising each applicant’s chances of receiving financial support.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Open to applicants from all countries worldwide with no restriction on academic background or discipline
- No IELTS, TOEFL, or formal English language proficiency certificate is required
- Must demonstrate an interest in leadership, the UN SDGs, and social impact
Experience & Other Conditions
- Applicants must be at least 15 years of age
- Must be passionate about global collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development
- Students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, NGO workers, youth leaders, and changemakers are all eligible to apply
- Must be available and able to participate fully in summit activities from 3 to 6 September 2026
- A non-refundable application fee of $15.99 applies for scholarship category applicants
Benefits & Funding
Fully Funded Category (25 Seats)
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airfare | Airfare support for fully funded delegates |
| Accommodation | Provided for the full summit duration |
| Meals | All meals during the summit covered |
| Visa Support | Visa assistance provided |
| Delegate Kit | Summit materials and delegate kit included |
| Cultural Activities | Cultural exchange activities included |
| Certification | Certificate of participation issued |
| Workshop Access | Full access to all workshops and networking sessions |
Partially Funded Category (35 Seats)
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Provided for the summit duration |
| Meals | All meals during the summit covered |
| Summit Materials | Delegate materials included |
| Cultural Activities | Cultural exchange activities included |
| Certification | Certificate of participation issued |
| Networking Access | Full networking opportunities included |
| Airfare | Not covered |
Scholarship Categories Overview
| Category | Seats | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Funded | 25 | $15.99 (non-refundable) |
| Partially Funded | 35 | $15.99 (non-refundable) |
Topics / Themes Covered
- Leadership Development: Workshops, simulations, and mentorship sessions on applied youth leadership
- Sustainable Development and SDGs: Practical approaches to global sustainability challenges
- Innovation and Social Impact: Creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking for positive change
- Expert Panel Discussions: Insights from leading voices in global affairs, development, and social innovation
- Intercultural Exchange: Cross-cultural collaboration and dialogue among delegates from diverse nationalities
- Networking: Structured peer and professional networking opportunities throughout the four-day summit
Selection Process
- Online application submitted via the official CGAD GYIS 2026 portal before 1 July 2026
- A single application automatically considers candidates across all funded participation tiers
- Payment of a non-refundable $15.99 application processing fee for scholarship category applicants
- Evaluation based on interest in leadership and SDGs, passion for global collaboration, and overall application quality
- Fully funded (25 seats) and partially funded (35 seats) categories are highly competitive
How to Apply
- Visit the official Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 Portugal application portal at https://thecgad.org/gyis-2026.
- Complete the online application form with your personal, academic, and professional background details.
- Clearly articulate your interest in leadership, the SDGs, social impact, and global collaboration throughout your application.
- Pay the non-refundable application processing fee of $15.99 for scholarship category consideration.
- Submit your completed application before the 1 July 2026 deadline; one application automatically considers you for all funded participation categories.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Applicants (Fully & Partially Funded) | USD $15.99 (non-refundable) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 13 May 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1 July 2026 |
| Summit Dates | 3–6 September 2026 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | https://thecgad.org/gyis-2026 |
| Official Website | https://thecgad.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 Portugal?
Students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, NGO workers, youth leaders, and changemakers aged 15 and above from any country are eligible; notably, no IELTS, TOEFL, or academic background restriction applies.
What does the fully funded scholarship for the Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 Portugal cover?
The fully funded category covers airfare support, accommodation, all meals, visa assistance, a delegate kit, cultural exchange activities, a participation certificate, and full access to all workshops and networking sessions.
Do applicants need to submit separate applications for each funding category?
No – a single application automatically considers candidates across all funded participation tiers, maximising each applicant’s chances of receiving financial support from CGAD.
How many funded seats are available for the Global Youth Impact Summit 2026 Portugal? Twenty-five fully funded and thirty-five partially funded seats are available, making both categories competitive; early and well-evidenced applications are strongly advised.
Is the $15.99 application fee refundable?
No – the $15.99 application processing fee is non-refundable for both fully funded and partially funded scholarship applicants, regardless of selection outcome.