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Young education leaders wanted: Join the SDG4 Youth & Student Network!
What is the SDG4 Youth & Student Network?
The SDG4 Youth & Student Network is a global community of young leaders and experts dedicated to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) - Quality Education. Managed by UNESCO, this Network empowers youth and students to contribute to educational policy, advocacy, and innovation. Members engage in various activities, including workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects, to promote inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The SDG4 Youth & Student Network is also the official body representing youth and students in the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, the global apex body for decision-making in education, composed of Ministers of Education and representatives of civil society, international organizations, donors, private sector and foundations.
Members participate in the Network in their personal capacity and serve for a period of 2 years: from January 2026 to December 2027. New members will also participate in inception activities together with current members between October and December 2025.
Who can join?
To join the SDG4 Youth & Student Network you need to meet the following criteria:
- Between the ages of 16 and 30.
- Be an active member of a national, regional and/or global non-governmental and not-for-profit organization of youth and students working in a field related to SDG4 鈥 Education 2030.
- Be active in the fields related to SDG4 鈥 Education 2030.
- Have no conflict of interest as per the Network Code of Conduct (e.g. hold government positions or employment in for-profit organizations and companies that may generate a conflict of interest).
Current and past members of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network are eligible to apply for the new cohort 2026-2027. However, the number of renewed members cannot represent more than 10% of the new cohort.
What do members do?
Members of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network play an active role in advancing global education objectives. Here are some examples of their work:
- They constitute thematic working groups (such as on inclusive education, education for sustainable development, education in emergencies, global citizenship education, digital learning & AI etc.) to collaborate on a wide range of initiatives, such as writing policy briefs and factsheets, organizing events and webinars, and leading advocacy campaigns to promote inclusive and equitable quality education.
- They elect regional representatives to serve in an Executive Committee. This committee ensures effective coordination and decision-making on all Network-related matters and ensures liaison with UNESCO.
- Additionally, two elected members of the Executive Committee sit in the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee, serving as youth and student representatives. They are responsible for regularly consulting network members and other youth and students on education topics, to ensure that the voices of these groups are amplified in high-level discussions, and contribute to policy dialogues and decision-making processes.
By joining the Network, members commit to dedicating part of their time to organize and participate in consultations, campaigns and working groups. They also commit to regularly participate in the regular Monthly Network Meetings.
Membership is free and unremunerated. Joining the Network does not create any work relation with UNESCO nor any right to use UNESCO鈥檚 name and logo.
Listen to current members talking about what they do
How to apply?
To apply, please fill in the online Application Form by clicking on the 鈥淎pply Now鈥 button below.
Deadline for applications: 10 July 2025 (midnight Paris time).
Throughout the application, you will need to provide detailed information about your current work as SDG4 鈥 Education 2030 advocate. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the questions ahead of starting the application process. A fac-simile of the Application Form is available at this link (coming soon).
What is the selection process?
The 2026-2027 cohort will be composed of 60 to 100 members. The selection will be carried out as follows:
- May-July 2025: Call for applications
- July-August 2025: Analysis of applications by a Selection Committee composed of UNESCO personnel and volunteer SDG4 Youth & Student Network Executive Committee members. At least another UN organization or office with a mandate on Youth will participate as observer to ensure transparency and fairness.
- September 2025: Notification of selection
In analyzing the applications, the Selection Committee will pay particular attention to the following aspects:
- Strong interest and expertise in education and sustainable development, at grassroots level.
- Leadership qualities.
- Active involvement in candidates鈥 communities or educational institutions.
- Commitment to participating in the network for a two-year period (2026-2027).
- Diversity, inclusion, geographical and gender balance.
2026-2027 Cohort calendar:
For more information
Potential candidates are invited to carefully read the SDG4 Youth & Student Network Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct.
Beware of scams! UNESCO does not charge any fee at any stage of the process.
For more information, don鈥檛 hesitate to consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below. Should you not find the answer you are looking for in the FAQ, you can contact sdg4youth@unesco.org.
General questions
The SDG4 Youth & Student Network is a platform established to engage and amplify the voices of youth and students in global discussions on quality education for all. It involves youth and students as advocates and change-makers in shaping global education policies.
Members engage in policy- and decision-making processes, particularly through their active involvement in the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC).
Applicants must:
- Between the ages of 16 and 30 included at the time of their application.
- Be active members of national, regional, and/or global non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations focused on SDG4 鈥 Education 2030.
- Be actively engaged in fields related to SDG4 鈥 Education 2030.
- Have no conflict of interest as per the Network Code of Conduct (e.g., not holding government positions or employment in for-profit organizations that may generate a conflict of interest).
Members of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network participate in the Network in their personal capacity. While they may hold leadership positions within their youth or student organizations, their involvement with the Network does not imply formal representation of those organizations.
By joining the Network, members accept its Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct.
The Network's activities are organized around a workplan elaborated the Network at the beginning of its cycle. The workplan implementation is facilitated by three bodies:
- Thematic Area Working Groups: Focus on specific themes and implement the workplan.
- Executive Committee: Composed of 10 members (5 youth representatives and 5 student representatives, one from each UNESCO geographical region), responsible for strategic planning and regular communication. Its members are elected by their peers within the Network.
- Secretariat: Hosted by UNESCO, supports coordination and sustainability of the Network.
Membership & selection process
Applications are open from 1 May to 10 July 2025 at this link (available on 1 May 2025).
Applicants are requested to fill in a detailed Application Form. It is suggested that potential applicants familiarize themselves with the questions ahead of starting the application process. A fac-simile of the questionnaire can be downloaded from this page.
The cohort consists of approximately 60 to 100 selected youth and students serving for a cycle of two calendar years (2026-2027).
The selection process is rigorous and transparent, involving a global open call for applications and a Selection Committee.
The Selection Committee is composed of UNESCO Personnel, volunteer current Executive Committee members and an observer from another UN organization or office with a mandate on Youth, with a view to ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process.
The Selection Committee uses a rubric based on knowledge, advocacy, and evidence of impact to rank eligible applicants.
The Selection Committee takes into account the need to ensure diversity among the cohort, based on geographic representation, gender and vulnerability among others.
- Global call for applications: Open between 1 May and 10 July 2025 (applications deadline) on the Secretariat's website (UNESCO).
- Selection process: Conducted by a Selection Committee between July and August 2025.
- Notification: Applicants are notified of the process outcome in September 2025 via email from the Secretariat (UNESCO).
Members serve for a cycle of two calendar years (from January 2026 to December 2027).
A 鈥渢ransition period鈥 exists between their notification of selection and the start of their mandate (from September to December 2025). During this 鈥渢ransition period鈥, newly selected members:
- Elect the new Executive Committee.
- Elect the Leader and Sherpa to represent them at the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee.
- Attend Monthly Network Meetings to get to know the 2024-2025 cohort and their work.
- Prepare for the International Day of Education celebrated each year on 24 January (as needed).
No, membership in the SDG4 Youth & Student Network is free and unremunerated. Members wishing to organize activities on behalf of the Network or attend external events must do so without cost implications for the Network or UNESCO. The implementation of the Network Strategic Plan and related outputs should not generate costs for UNESCO.
Network membership does not create any work relation with UNESCO nor any right to represent the organization. Members shall not introduce themselves as UNESCO representatives or UNESCO staff.
Members can end their mandate by submitting written notice to the Secretariat. The termination becomes effective once acknowledged by the Secretariat.
Yes, members of current (2024-2025) or previous cohorts can be part of the new cohort as long as they continue to meet the selection criteria and show proof of engagement with the Network鈥檚 activities. The number of renewed members cannot exceed 10% of the total number of members of the new cohort.
They must reapply by selecting the option 鈥淩enewed Members鈥 in the Application Form (available on 1 May 2025).
Terms of Reference & Code of Conduct
The Network Terms of Reference & Code of Conduct outline the framework, roles, activities, membership criteria, organizational structure of the Network, and set the standards for behavior and interactions among Network members, with UNESCO and with external stakeholders.
All members are required to carefully read and accept them while applying to join the Network.
Non-compliance can lead to corrective actions, temporary suspension, or permanent termination of membership, following a review process by the Executive Committee and the Secretariat (UNESCO).
Network members can, among others:
- Promote the work of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network through their organizations and networks.
- Share their work, initiatives, and joint advocacy opportunities with other Network members.
- Actively participate in Monthly Network Meetings and Thematic Area Working Groups.
- Invite the Network to participate in relevant activities of their organizations.
- Contribute to decisions and discussions at the HLSC and other relevant education meetings.
- Substantially contribute to the preparation of the Network鈥檚 work, including responding to consultations and surveys.
Detailed information on what members can do or shall refrain from doing are available in the Network Terms of Reference & Code of Conduct.
Network members are notably not allowed to:
- Use the UNESCO name or logo in such a way as to suggest they represent UNESCO, unless explicit consent has been given by UNESCO.
- Create their own communication materials for events organized as part of their involvement in the Network without approval from the Secretariat.
- Disclose information that has not been made public except with prior authorization.
- Advertise, display, or appropriate for personal use the name, emblem, or official seal of UNESCO, or any abbreviation of the name of UNESCO in connection with their activities or otherwise.
Detailed information on what members can do or shall refrain from doing are available in the Network Terms of Reference & Code of Conduct.
The Network being part of the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism, the UNESCO name and logo shall not be used in association to the SDG4 Youth & Student Network, unless specifically authorized by UNESCO, namely for activities organized, and documents published jointly with UNESCO.
Network members shall ensure that items such as personal documents, publications, public statements and communications, including on social media, do not lead to any misunderstanding about the existence of any work relation with UNESCO nor any right to represent the organization. Members shall not introduce themselves as UNESCO representatives or UNESCO staff.
A conflict of interest occurs when a Network member鈥檚 personal benefit may interfere with their ability to carry out their functions as a Network member. This includes situations where members hold government positions or employment in for-profit organizations and companies.
Network members are expected to be neutral and transparent. If a conflict of interest arises, members must:
- Inform the Secretariat and the Executive Committee immediately.
- Provide details about the nature of the conflict.
- Discuss potential solutions with the Executive Committee and the Secretariat to address the conflict.
Disclaimer: These FAQs are provided to facilitate understanding of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network and its Application Process. However, only the official Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct are considered official. Readers are invited to refer to the official Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct documents. In case of any discrepancy, the official Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct shall prevail.
