The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially launched the call for expressions of interest for the third term of the WHO Youth Council, which will run from 2026 to 2028. This initiative offers youth-led and youth-focused organizations a chance to play a direct role in shaping global health policies and strengthening health systems worldwide.
Amplifying Youth Voices
The WHO Youth Council was established to ensure that young people are meaningfully engaged in WHO’s work. It provides a platform for diverse youth voices to influence health strategies, advocate for public health, and contribute innovative ideas. The Council is designed to amplify youth perspectives while supporting WHO’s mission to strengthen health systems through advocacy and creative initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations interested in joining must meet the requirements outlined in the revised Terms of Reference. Eligible applicants include youth-led groups, youth-focused organizations, and youth chapters within larger international organizations. WHO is seeking a diverse mix of both health and non-health organizations to ensure broad representation. Membership in the WHO Civil Society Commission is also required. Organizations not yet members must apply before submitting their expression of interest for the Youth Council. Applications will still be considered while the Civil Society Commission membership is under review.
Application Process
To apply, organizations must complete the WHO Youth Council Application Form and submit the Tobacco-Arms Disclosure Form. Submissions will be evaluated based on eligibility, diversity, motivation, and the organization’s experience and plans.
Key Dates
The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026, at 23:59 CEST. The first in-person meeting of the new Council will take place in October 2026. This call represents a significant opportunity for youth organizations to influence global health policy. As WHO stated: “The WHO Youth Council amplifies youth voices and strengthens youth contributions to health systems.”
Related Opportunities
In similar news, the United Nations has opened new job opportunities for qualified Nigerians. The Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York announced several UN job openings available to qualified Nigerian nationals. These positions are open for direct application through the official UN Careers portal. Applicants must apply directly via the UN Careers portal, searching by the Job Opening (JO) number listed, and ensure applications are submitted before the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered. Recruitment is managed solely by the respective UN hiring departments. The Mission encourages all eligible Nigerian nationals to apply through legitimate channels.
