Call for applications: Young Climate Leaders – Ideas Lab 2026

❗IMPORTANT INFORMATION❗

Please note that, due to a technical issue in the original application form, the applications submitted before 25 November 2025 were recorded without an email address. This prevents us from contacting the applicants.

If you submitted your application before this date, we kindly ask you to either:

🔹Resubmit your application OR 🔹Send an email to [email protected], indicating the name you used in the application so we can match it with your submission.

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure that all applications can be duly considered.

The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), with the support of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue, is pleased to launch an open call for young climate leaders to join us for our annual flagship event, Ideas Lab, on 2 and 3 March 2026. We are looking for young people from countries that are located in the 'Global South' who have a passion for climate action.*

Ideas Lab provides a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of EU policymaking, make new contacts from all over Europe and learn how one of the largest events of its kind in Brussels is put together.

About Ideas Lab

Now in its second decade, Ideas Lab continues to be one of the most influential public policy events in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, researchers, business leaders and civil society to debate the major challenges and opportunities facing Europe. The forum is widely appreciated for its open, forward-looking, and interdisciplinary exchanges.

In 2025, Ideas Lab attracted nearly 800 participants and more than 200 speakers, including several European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, ambassadors, prominent academics, and leaders of industry from Europe and beyond.

We are looking for young people who

• are aged 20-35;
• hold nationality of one of the countries listed in the application form;
• have a good command of English;
• are passionate about climate action;
• are available to travel to Brussels between 1 and 4 March 2026;
• have not participated in Ideas Lab in the past.

How to apply

Please complete this application form by 10 December 2025, 23:59 CET. Only applications submitted through this form will be accepted. If you have any questions about the application process or the programme, please contact Laura Nicolás at [email protected]. You will be notified about the status of your application by 16 January 2026. Selected participants will have their travel, accommodation, meals and visas covered but will not be remunerated for their participation in the programme.

*see the full list of eligible countries in the application form.