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.
Is there a Cost?
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.
Who Should Apply?
We are 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!
Since 2000, thousands of young leaders from 106 countries have already participated!
What are the Benefits?
Traveler’s become Peace Ambassadors
The Global Citizens Education Program helps students travel with confidence, curiosity, and purpose. Travelers gain practical skills for cross-cultural/cross community engagement, learn how to represent their community respectfully, and develop a deeper understanding of their role in our interconnected world. Travelers return home more self-aware, empathetic, and prepared to lead.
The Destination you Visit during your Trip
Host communities create stronger connections with travelers who arrive prepared, respectful, and genuinely interested in engaging. The program reduces cultural misunderstandings and encourages meaningful exchange built on curiosity and mutual respect. This creates stronger connections and a more positive, lasting impact for the destination(s) you visit and the people you meet.
The Community you return to after your Trip
Travelers return with more than memories—they bring perspective, maturity, and a global mindset. The program helps you translate travel experiences into a greater worldview, bringing home more empathy, civic awareness, and positive contribution. That growth strengthens schools, families, and the broader community.
Apply for Free Today
Global Citizen Challenge application deadline: February 20, 2026
Common Questions:
Who can sign up for classes?
Travelers, Group leaders, Educators, School Classes, Leadership Organizations and motivated individuals! Must be 15 - 20 years old.
How can classrooms or groups 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).
