The IRENA Youth Forum 2027 is accepting applications from young leaders worldwide for its eighth edition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with up to 40 participants receiving fully funded participation covering travel, accommodation and visa support.

Organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Forum brings together young people working across renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, research, entrepreneurship and advocacy to contribute to discussions shaping the global energy transition.

The 2027 edition will take place from 6 to 13 January 2027, with the main IRENA Youth Forum scheduled for 6–7 January, followed by participation in activities connected with the Seventeenth IRENA Assembly and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Applications are open to young people aged 18–35 from all countries, and there is no application or participation fee.

The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time.

IRENA Youth Forum 2027 at a Glance

Category	Details
Opportunity	IRENA Youth Forum 2027
Organizer	International Renewable Energy Agency
Edition	8th
Location	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dates	6–13 January 2027
Main Youth Forum	6–7 January 2027
Age requirement	18–35 at the time of the Forum
Nationality	All countries
Fully funded places	Up to 40
Travel	Covered for fully funded participants
Accommodation	Covered for fully funded participants
Visa support	Included for fully funded participants
Application fee	None
Participation fee	None
Application language	English
EOI deadline	30 September 2026
Deadline time	Midnight, Abu Dhabi local time
Results	By 15 November 2026
Other participation	Partially funded and self-funded places available

What Is the IRENA Youth Forum 2027?

The IRENA Youth Forum is the International Renewable Energy Agency’s flagship platform for:

Youth empowerment
Intergenerational dialogue
Renewable energy innovation

Since 2020, the Forum has brought together young leaders from around the world alongside the IRENA Assembly to contribute to discussions about the global energy transition.

The 2027 event will mark the:

eighth edition of the IRENA Youth Forum.

The programme provides young people with opportunities to strengthen their knowledge, share solutions, develop partnerships and contribute their perspectives to global energy and climate discussions.

What Is the Theme of the IRENA Youth Forum 2027?

The official theme for the 2027 Forum is:

“Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems.”

The theme reflects some of the major technical and policy challenges associated with increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity systems.

The Forum will explore how young people are contributing to areas such as:

Grid modernisation
Energy storage
Energy-system flexibility
Renewable energy integration
Reliable energy access

Why Grids, Storage and Flexibility Matter

Expanding renewable energy requires more than installing additional renewable generation capacity.

Electricity systems also need the infrastructure and flexibility necessary to integrate growing shares of renewable power reliably.

The Forum therefore focuses on the role young innovators and professionals can play in areas such as grid infrastructure, storage technologies and the policy and regulatory frameworks supporting these systems.

What Are the Objectives of the IRENA Youth Forum?

IRENA identifies several objectives for the 2027 programme.

Amplifying Youth Voices

The Forum seeks to increase youth participation in:

Global energy policy
Climate policy

Young people are given a platform to contribute their experiences, ideas and solutions to international energy-transition discussions.

Building Youth Understanding

Participants will strengthen their understanding of:

Grid infrastructure
Storage technologies
System flexibility
Relevant policy frameworks
Relevant regulatory frameworks

Capacity Building and Skills Development

The programme aims to help young people develop the skills needed to:

design and scale impactful solutions.

This makes the Forum relevant not only to established young professionals but also to innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and advocates developing energy-transition initiatives.

Exploring Energy-Transition Finance

The Forum will also highlight the role young people can play in:

financing the energy transition.

Participants will explore how young innovators can access capital for projects and solutions.

Strengthening Partnerships

IRENA intends to strengthen collaboration between youth and:

Governments
Private-sector organizations
Academia
International organizations

This multi-stakeholder structure can create opportunities for participants to build professional and institutional networks.

IRENA Youth Forum 2027 Programme

The broader programme runs from:

6–13 January 2027.

Different activities take place throughout this period.

6–7 January 2027 — IRENA Youth Forum

The main Youth Forum will take place in Abu Dhabi.

Activities will include:

High-Level Opening
Interactive workshops

These two days form the core of the Youth Forum programme.

8 January 2027 — Closing Session

The Forum’s Closing Session will take place during the:

Seventeenth IRENA Assembly

at:

St. Regis Saadiyat Island.

This provides participants with exposure to the wider institutional environment surrounding IRENA’s global work.

9–13 January 2027 — Youth-Led Activities

Youth-led activities will continue after the main Forum.

These include:

Youth Booth
Youth Lounge
IRENA Pavilion activities

The Youth Booth and Lounge will be hosted at the St. Regis, while the IRENA Pavilion will form part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at ADNEC.

Who Can Apply for the IRENA Youth Forum 2027?

The Forum is open to young people who are:

18–35 years old at the time of the Forum.

Applicants should also be actively involved in areas connected to the global energy transition.

IRENA specifically welcomes young people who are:

Actively engaged in renewable energy
Involved in sustainability
Working in innovation
Active in related fields

Candidates may also be leading or contributing to:

Projects
Startups
Research
Advocacy initiatives

These activities should contribute to advancing the energy transition.

Are All Nationalities Eligible?

Yes.

IRENA states that applications are welcomed from:

all countries around the world.

The opportunity is therefore not restricted to applicants from a particular region or group of countries.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be:

18 to 35 years old at the time of the Forum.

Because eligibility is tied to age at the time of the event, applicants close to the upper age limit should calculate their age based on the January 2027 Forum dates.

What Background Do Applicants Need?

Applicants should demonstrate active engagement in:

Renewable energy
Sustainability
Innovation
Related fields

The programme is particularly suited to young people already contributing to the energy transition through professional, academic, entrepreneurial or advocacy activities.

Do You Need to Be an Engineer?

No engineering requirement is stated in the supplied eligibility information.

IRENA welcomes candidates engaged in a range of activities, including:

Projects
Startups
Research
Advocacy

This means applicants can potentially come from different professional and academic backgrounds as long as their work demonstrates meaningful engagement with the energy transition.

Do You Need to Be a Student?

No student-status requirement is stated.

The programme is open to eligible young people who meet the age and engagement criteria.

This could include, depending on their relevant work:

Students
Researchers
Young professionals
Entrepreneurs
Startup founders
Innovators
Advocates
Project leaders

These are examples of profiles that may fit the stated categories rather than separate eligibility categories guaranteed by IRENA.

Are Startup Founders Eligible?

Yes, startup involvement is explicitly included in the eligibility description.

Candidates who lead or contribute to startups advancing the energy transition can apply, provided they satisfy the other requirements.

Can Researchers Apply?

Yes.

IRENA specifically identifies young people contributing to:

research

as part of its target applicant group.

Research should be relevant to renewable energy, sustainability, innovation or related energy-transition areas.

Can Climate and Energy Advocates Apply?

Yes.

Advocacy initiatives advancing the energy transition are explicitly included in the eligibility description.

What Does IRENA Look for During Selection?

IRENA states that selection will consider:

Geographic balance
Gender balance
Demonstrated commitment to the energy transition

Applicants should therefore ensure that their application clearly communicates what they have already done in the renewable-energy or sustainability space.

Demonstrated Commitment to the Energy Transition

This is one of the most important selection considerations explicitly identified by IRENA.

Candidates should avoid relying solely on statements such as:

“I am passionate about renewable energy.”

Instead, where the application permits, demonstrate that commitment through concrete examples.

These could include relevant:

Projects
Research
Startup work
Professional responsibilities
Advocacy
Community initiatives
Innovation activities

Fully Funded IRENA Youth Forum Places

One of the biggest benefits of the 2027 programme is financial support.

IRENA states that:

up to 40 participants will be selected for fully funded participation.

For these selected participants, support covers:

Travel
Accommodation
Visa support

Is Travel Covered?

Yes, for the participants selected for fully funded participation.

IRENA explicitly states that the fully funded package covers:

travel.

The source does not provide the detailed travel policy, such as airfare class, booking procedures or reimbursement limits.

Applicants should therefore follow instructions provided to successful participants.

Is Accommodation Covered?

Yes.

Accommodation is included for the:

up to 40 fully funded participants.

The source does not specify the hotel, room arrangement, number of nights or accommodation value in the supplied information.

Is Visa Support Included?

Yes.

Visa support is explicitly included for fully funded participants.

However, applicants should distinguish:

visa support

from a guarantee that a visa will be issued.

Final visa decisions remain subject to the relevant immigration authorities.

Is There an Application Fee?

No.

IRENA states that there is:

no application fee.

Is There a Participation Fee?

No.

There is also:

no participation fee.

Are All Selected Participants Fully Funded?

No.

This is an important distinction.

IRENA states that:

up to 40 participants

will receive fully funded participation.

Additional participants may be invited on either:

Partially funded basis
Self-funded basis

Therefore, selection for the Forum does not automatically mean selection for full funding.

Partially Funded Participation

IRENA may invite additional applicants to participate with:

partial funding.

The supplied information does not specify exactly which expenses are covered under partial funding.

Candidates receiving such an offer should review the individual funding conditions before accepting.

Self-Funded Participation

Some additional participants may also be invited on a:

self-funded basis.

Those participants should expect to cover expenses according to the terms communicated by IRENA.

Application Language

All applications must be submitted in:

English.

Applicants should therefore prepare their responses carefully and ensure that they clearly communicate their experience and motivation.

Do You Need IELTS or TOEFL?

The supplied information does not state that applicants must provide:

IELTS
TOEFL
Another standardized English-language test

The confirmed requirement is that applications must be submitted in English.

How to Apply for the IRENA Youth Forum 2027

Applications are completed online through an:

Expression of Interest.

Interested applicants should use the official application form provided by IRENA.

Step 1 — Confirm Your Age

Make sure you will be between:

18 and 35

at the time of the Forum.

Step 2 — Review Your Energy-Transition Experience

Identify the strongest examples demonstrating your involvement in renewable energy, sustainability or innovation.

Step 3 — Identify Your Most Relevant Project or Contribution

Applicants who have worked on projects, startups, research or advocacy should identify their strongest contribution.

Step 4 — Explain Your Impact

Where the application asks about your work, explain what you have actually achieved.

Use measurable outcomes where possible.

Step 5 — Demonstrate Collaboration Potential

IRENA wants participants motivated to collaborate with peers and partners to scale impact globally.

Show that you can contribute to a collaborative international environment.

Step 6 — Complete the Application in English

All responses must be submitted in English.

Step 7 — Submit Before the Deadline

The Expression of Interest must be submitted by:

30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time.

International applicants should convert the deadline into their own local time rather than assuming it closes at midnight in their country.

When Will Applicants Receive Results?

IRENA expects applicants to be notified of the results:

by 15 November 2026.

Selected candidates should then have additional time to prepare for the January event.

How to Strengthen Your IRENA Youth Forum Application

The official criteria provide useful clues about what applicants should emphasize.

Show Evidence of Your Work

Demonstrated commitment matters.

Describe specific activities rather than generic interest.

Connect Your Experience to the Energy Transition

Explain how your work contributes to renewable energy, sustainability or related areas.

Highlight Innovation

If you have developed a new approach, product, project or solution, communicate why it matters.

Demonstrate Potential to Scale Impact

IRENA specifically refers to helping youth design and scale impactful solutions.

Where relevant, explain how your work could grow or be replicated.

Show That You Can Collaborate

The Forum aims to connect youth with governments, businesses, universities and international organizations.

Demonstrating collaborative experience can strengthen the relevance of your profile.

Understand the 2027 Theme

Applicants should familiarize themselves with:

grids, storage and flexibility for renewable energy systems.

Even if your current work is not exclusively focused on these areas, understanding the theme can help you explain how your experience connects with the Forum.

Application Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting Generic Motivation

Statements about being passionate about sustainability are much stronger when supported by evidence.

Ignoring Your Actual Impact

Explain your contribution to projects, research, startups or advocacy.

Assuming Every Participant Is Fully Funded

Only up to 40 participants are specified for full funding.

Confusing Visa Support With a Guaranteed Visa

Visa support does not mean automatic visa approval.

Missing the Time Zone

The deadline is midnight in Abu Dhabi.

Applying in Another Language

Applications must be submitted in English.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

Technical problems close to the deadline could prevent submission.

How Competitive Is the IRENA Youth Forum 2027?

IRENA does not provide an acceptance rate or the total number of applications expected in the supplied information.

However, only:

up to 40 participants

will receive fully funded participation.

Selection also considers geographic and gender balance alongside demonstrated commitment to the energy transition.

Applicants should therefore submit a focused application that clearly demonstrates their contribution.

What Makes the 2027 Forum Different?

The 2027 edition focuses specifically on the infrastructure and technologies needed to support greater renewable-energy deployment.

Its theme brings attention to:

Modern electricity grids
Energy storage
Flexible energy systems
Renewable-energy integration
Energy access
Energy-transition finance

Participants will also engage with the broader IRENA ecosystem through the Assembly and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week activities.

Networking Opportunities

One of the potential benefits of the Forum is access to a diverse international network.

The programme seeks to strengthen partnerships between:

Young people
Governments
Private-sector organizations
Academia
International organizations

This environment may be particularly valuable for young professionals and innovators seeking partnerships for energy-transition initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IRENA Youth Forum 2027?

It is the eighth edition of IRENA’s flagship youth platform focused on youth empowerment, intergenerational dialogue and renewable-energy innovation.

Where will the Forum take place?

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

When is the IRENA Youth Forum 2027?

The broader programme runs from:

6–13 January 2027.

When is the main Youth Forum?

6–7 January 2027.

What is the 2027 theme?

“Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems.”

What is the age limit?

Applicants must be 18–35 years old at the time of the Forum.

Can international applicants apply?

Yes.

Applications are welcome from all countries.

How many fully funded places are available?

Up to 40 participants will receive fully funded participation.

What does full funding cover?

The source specifically confirms:

Travel
Accommodation
Visa support

Is there an application fee?

No.

Is there a participation fee?

No.

Are all participants fully funded?

No.

Additional participants can be invited on partially funded or self-funded terms.

Can researchers apply?

Yes.

Can startup founders apply?

Yes, provided their work relates to advancing the energy transition.

Can sustainability professionals apply?

Yes.

Can advocates apply?

Yes.

Do I need IELTS?

No IELTS requirement is stated in the supplied information.

What language is the application?

English.

What does IRENA consider during selection?

Geographic balance, gender balance and demonstrated commitment to the energy transition are explicitly identified.

When is the deadline?

30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time.

When will results be announced?

By 15 November 2026.

Why the IRENA Youth Forum 2027 Is Worth Considering

For young people already contributing to renewable energy and sustainability, the IRENA Youth Forum provides more than a conventional conference experience.

Participants can engage with discussions involving:

Renewable-energy systems
Grid modernization
Energy storage
System flexibility
Policy
Regulation
Energy-transition finance
Youth-led innovation

The programme also connects young leaders with governments, private-sector organizations, academics and international institutions.

For up to 40 selected participants, the opportunity becomes particularly accessible through funding for travel, accommodation and visa support.

Final Thoughts

The IRENA Youth Forum 2027 provides young leaders from around the world with an opportunity to contribute to international discussions about the future of renewable energy.

Taking place in Abu Dhabi from 6 to 13 January 2027, the eighth edition will focus on “Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems.”

Applicants must be 18–35 years old at the time of the Forum and should demonstrate active involvement in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation or related areas through projects, startups, research or advocacy.

Applications are welcomed from all countries, with selection considering geographic and gender balance as well as demonstrated commitment to the energy transition.

Most importantly, up to 40 participants will receive fully funded participation covering travel, accommodation and visa support, with no application or participation fee. Additional participants may be offered partially funded or self-funded places.

The application deadline is 30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time, and applicants are expected to receive results by 15 November 2026.

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