Global Citizen Challenge
(February 26 - March 1, 2026)
Fostering peace through building bridges!
About the Challenge.
The Global Citizens Challenge is an online dynamic program that provides young people with a transformative and collaborative way to meet and work with peers worldwide.
Why is this Important?
Travel is often inaccessible to many young people due to a lack of awareness, location, budgets, and other barriers. As a result, many miss out on a cultural exchange experience that offers long-lasting benefits, such as increased confidence, enhanced employability, and greater empathy.
The Global Citizens Challenge (GCC) offers young people a safe space to explore cultural connections and differences, fostering meaningful exchanges within their communities both virtually and through valuable opportunities.
This is a free, virtual program, open to all youth 15 - 20 years old. We provide dynamic, online sessions that provides you with a transformative, and collaborative ways to meet and work with peers worldwide. By participating, you will gain skills in digital collaboration, social impact, cultural awareness, and ways to foster peace while traveling and ways to enhance your community back at home.
Since 2000, thousands of young leaders from 106 countries have already participated!
Who Should Apply?
The Committee is seeking self-driven, diverse individuals who bring passion, energy, and a desire to learn. We don’t judge by traditional credentials but by alignment with our values:
Passionate about making a change
Eager to learn about different cultures from peers from across the world
Desire to meet and connect with a variety of people
Wish to grow as a young leaders and future Global Citizen through a robust online experience
Aim to grow personally, gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and your community
Seek to make a meaningful impact in your life and the world!
Apply for Free Today
Global Citizen Challenge application deadline: February 20, 2026
Common Questions:
Who can sign up for classes?
Educators, program leaders, organizations and parents! Must be 15 - 20 years old.
How can classrooms participate?
There are several ways in which educators can utilize this opportunity to enhance their student’s learning in the classroom.
You can integrate it into class projects (For example language teachers, global studies and geography teachers have closely related topics)
Into your class curriculum (example was that one teacher who teaches Spanish had her class practice speaking Spanish within the event and had them focused on meeting peers from Spanish-speaking countries).
Extra curricular or bonus points (your students can participate individually for extra points. Our team would work with you to report back on their participation)
How do you ensure the classroom is prepared?
We work closely with the educator to ensure that their group is prepared. This includes:
Specific orientation during your classroom period
A point of contact will be provided by the YBY Team that will be available throughout the entire Global Citizens Challenge (before, during and after the event).
