The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), with the generous support of the Government of Japan, is pleased to announce the launch of the second Call for Applications for the Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear Weapons (YLF), covering 2025 to 2026.
Following the successful completion of Phase I, UNODA is seeking to select the next 100 young leaders from around the world to participate in an innovative online learning programme. Fifty of these participants will be given the opportunity to travel to Japan for a week-long study visit to Nagasaki and Hiroshima. During this visit, they will meet with hibakusha (survivors of the atomic bombings), engage with other youth advocates, and gain firsthand insight into the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons.
The programme aims to bring together a diverse and geographically representative group of advocates for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, aged 18 to 29. We encourage applications from young people with backgrounds in international affairs, government or civil society organizations, education, academia, journalism, and related fields.
Phase II of the programme is particularly focused on communication and storytelling as powerful tools for advocacy. Recognizing the role of narratives in shaping public opinion and policy, the curriculum will incorporate media and communications training, making this phase especially appealing to participants with aspirations in journalism or media. This approach ensures that the cohort will be well-equipped to effectively communicate the urgency of nuclear disarmament.
The programme is open to youth from all countries, including both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States.