What if your sustainability work could reach the same room as policymakers, business leaders and international decisionmakers?
The HSC Youth Ambassador Program 2027 is inviting young leaders from the Global South to join the Hamburg Sustainability Conference and bring their ideas, experiences and community work to an international platform.
Selected Youth Ambassadors receive fully funded participation, including travel and accommodation. They can also take part in conference sessions, connect with global leaders and join a youth roundtable series before the main conference.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Youth Ambassador Program
- Host Organization: Hamburg Sustainability Conference
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Duration: Program activities leading up to and during the conference
- Age: 18 to 30 years
- Mode: In-person + preparatory activities
- Nationality: Global South countries listed under the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients
- Minimum Degree Required: No specific degree requirement stated
- Work Experience: No specific professional experience requirement stated
- Start of Activities: December 2026
- Main Conference: May 31 to June 1, 2027
- Application Deadline: October 19, 2026
- Application Fee: No fee
- Stipend / Salary / Financial Support: Fully funded participation, including travel and accommodation
- English Requirement: Applicants must be able to communicate confidently in English
- Age Limit: 18 to 30
What Is the HSC Youth Ambassador Program?
The HSC Youth Ambassador Program is designed to bring young sustainability leaders into international discussions around sustainable development.
Youth Ambassadors are not simply conference attendees.
They are expected to actively contribute to conference formats, share their experiences and ideas, and engage with other young leaders, experts and decision-makers.
The program is particularly interested in people who are already working on sustainability challenges in their communities.
What Do Selected Youth Ambassadors Receive?
Fully Funded Participation
Selected Youth Ambassadors receive coverage for:
- International travel
- Accommodation
This allows selected participants to attend the program without having to finance the major travel and accommodation costs themselves.
Participate in Conference Sessions
Depending on their expertise and the format, Youth Ambassadors may participate in conference sessions as speakers or attendees.
This gives selected participants an opportunity to bring their perspectives directly into international sustainability discussions.
Meet Global Decision-Makers
The Hamburg Sustainability Conference brings together more than 1,600 leaders from different sectors.
Youth Ambassadors can interact with policymakers, government representatives, business leaders, experts and other stakeholders involved in sustainability and development.
Build an International Network
Participants become part of a global network of young sustainability leaders.
They can connect with:
- Fellow Youth Ambassadors
- International experts
- Decision-makers
- Journalists and media representatives
- Local youth in Hamburg
HSC Youth Roundtable Series
The Youth Ambassador experience begins before the main conference.
Selected participants are expected to take part in the HSC Youth Roundtable Series, scheduled for December 7 to 11, 2026.
The Roundtable Series will take place in one of the program’s partner countries.
Applicants should therefore be prepared for an additional international trip before the main Hamburg conference.
Further details about the Roundtables are expected to be shared during the selection process.
Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2027
The main Hamburg Sustainability Conference will take place in Germany on:
May 31 to June 1, 2027
Youth Ambassadors will participate alongside international leaders and organisations working on sustainable development.
The program gives young leaders a chance to take their community-level experience into a much larger international setting.
Who Can Apply?
The program is looking for young community leaders who are already taking action on sustainability issues.
A strong applicant should be able to demonstrate things such as:
- A sustainability initiative they have started or contributed to
- Concrete solutions to a sustainability challenge
- Community-level impact
- Experience mobilising people or supporters
- Work through an organisation, network or their own initiative
- A clear commitment to sustainable development
Simply being interested in sustainability is unlikely to be enough.
The program is looking for young people who are already doing the work.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Age
You must be between 18 and 30 years old.
2. Global South Country
You must come from and currently reside in a country classified as eligible under the program’s Global South criteria.
The program uses the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients as its reference.
Your country must appear in the Country of Residence options on the application form.
3. Sustainability Leadership
You should be actively driving sustainability efforts within your community.
This could include:
- Climate action
- Environmental initiatives
- Sustainable development
- Community development
- Awareness campaigns
- Social or environmental innovation
- Mobilising communities around sustainability challenges
4. English Communication
You must be able to communicate confidently in English.
This is important because the program involves international discussions, networking and active participation in conference activities.
5. Availability
You must be able to dedicate time to the program, including preparation before the main conference.
You should also be available to travel during December 7 to 11, 2026 for the Youth Roundtable Series.
You will then need to attend the main conference in Hamburg from May 31 to June 1, 2027.
Is There a Degree Requirement?
No specific academic degree is listed as a requirement.
The program focuses on your leadership, sustainability work, community impact and ability to contribute to international discussions.
Can Indian Applicants Apply?
Yes.
India is represented among the HSC Youth Ambassador cohort, and the current application is open to eligible applicants from Global South countries.
Indian applicants must still satisfy all other requirements, including the age range, current residence requirement, sustainability leadership criteria and English communication requirement.
Is the HSC Youth Ambassador Program Fully Funded?
Yes, for the stated program participation costs.
The official application page states that travel and accommodation costs are covered for selected Youth Ambassadors.
There is no monthly stipend or salary specified.
So this should not be presented as a salaried fellowship. It is better described as a fully funded youth ambassador and conference opportunity.
Application Timeline
- Applications Opened: October 6, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 19, 2026
- Shortlisted Interviews: End of October 2026
- Participation Confirmation: End of October / Early November 2026
- HSC Youth Roundtable Series: December 7 to 11, 2026
- Hamburg Sustainability Conference: May 31 to June 1, 2027
The current deadline is October 19, 2026.
How to Apply
Applicants need to complete the online HSC Youth Ambassador application form.
You should be prepared to demonstrate:
- Your sustainability work
- The problem you are addressing
- What you have already done
- The impact of your work
- How you have engaged or mobilised others
- Why your perspective would add value to the HSC Youth Ambassador community
The application also asks for your LinkedIn profile, with the option to provide additional social media or communication links that showcase your sustainability work.
Application Fee
No application fee is stated for the HSC Youth Ambassador Program.
Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay money to submit or process your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a scholarship?
No. It is a Youth Ambassador Program connected to the Hamburg Sustainability Conference.
Do I need a university degree?
No specific degree requirement is stated.
Do I need professional experience?
No specific employment requirement is listed. The important factor is demonstrated sustainability leadership and community-level action.
Is travel to Germany covered?
Yes. Travel and accommodation costs are covered for selected Youth Ambassadors.
Is there a stipend?
No monthly stipend or salary is specified.
Do I need to live in the Global South?
Yes. Applicants must come from and currently reside in an eligible Global South country under the program’s criteria.
Can I apply if I am 30?
Yes, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.
Do I need to attend the December Roundtable Series?
The application states that participants need to be available to travel during December 7 to 11, 2026, for the planned Youth Roundtables.
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