EUROPEAN YOUTH SUMMIT 2027

Second Edition

A Fully Funded International Youth Summit in Madrid, Spain

Join 300 young leaders, students, entrepreneurs and young professionals from 120+ countries for four days of diplomacy, leadership and real-world project building in Madrid, 13–16 April 2027. Organised by the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA), following the landmark 2026 edition in Geneva.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IN

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Scholarship applications are now closed.
Summit dates
13–16 April 2027

Location

Madrid, Spain
Scholarships
300
50 fully funded · 100 partially funded · 150 forum access
Scholarship deadline
20 January 2027
Results
5 February 2027
Organiser
CDA

EUROPEAN YOUTH SUMMIT 2027

Second Edition

A Fully Funded International Youth Summit in Madrid, Spain
Join 300 young leaders, students, entrepreneurs and young professionals from 120+ countries for four days of diplomacy, leadership and real-world project building in Madrid, 13–16 April 2027. Organised by the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA), following the landmark 2026 edition in Geneva.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IN

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Scholarship applications are now closed.

20 January 2027, 23:59 CET

Summit dates
13–16 April 2027

Location

Madrid, Spain
Scholarships
300
50 fully funded · 100 partially funded · 150 forum access
Scholarship deadline
20 January 2027
Results
5 February 2027
Organiser
CDA
01 / ABOUT THE SUMMIT

What Is the European Youth Summit?

The European Youth Summit (EYS) is the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement’s annual gathering where young people from every continent learn diplomacy by practising it. The first edition in Geneva in June 2026 brought 207+ delegates from 120+ countries into the institutions of international Geneva, including the World Trade Organization and the Palais des Nations, and closed with the adoption of the EYS 2026 Summit Declaration.

EYS 2027 moves to Madrid, Spain, from 13 to 16 April 2027. Where Geneva asked delegates to understand how multilateral diplomacy works, Madrid asks them to use it: the 2027 edition is built around a theme of Diplomacy in Action: From Dialogue to Delivery, and every delegate leaves with a mentor, a project team and access to CDA project funding.

Diplomacy in Action: From Dialogue to Delivery.

EYS 2027 brings 300 young leaders to Madrid to turn negotiation, cooperation and policy skills into funded projects that outlast the summit.

What delegates do in four days:

01.
Attend high-level sessions with ambassadors, Spanish and EU institutions, UN agencies and civil-society leaders
02.
Train in negotiation, mediation, public speaking and cross-cultural leadership
03.
Deliver a Global Youth Leadership Statement on the summit floor
04.
Form international project teams and pitch for post-summit project funding
05.
Join study visits to Madrid’s diplomatic and institutional landmarks
06.
Adopt the EYS 2027 Madrid Declaration with delegates from 120+ countries
02 / SUMMIT THEMES

Six Themes, One Goal: Diplomacy That Delivers

Geneva 2026 covered diplomacy, global governance, peacebuilding, negotiation and global trade. Madrid 2027 keeps that diplomatic core and adds the tools today’s young leaders are asked to use: climate diplomacy, digital governance and youth-led project delivery.

01

Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Practical negotiation labs, mediation simulations and a Madrid Model Negotiation on a live global issue

Geneva introduced negotiation skills; Madrid runs full simulations with scored outcomes

02

Climate Diplomacy and Sustainable Development

How states, cities and youth movements negotiate climate commitments; SDG financing; Spain’s renewable-energy transition as a case study

NEW FOR 2027

03

Digital Governance and AI in Diplomacy

Data, AI and disinformation in international affairs; digital rights; how young people shape emerging-technology policy

NEW FOR 2027

04

Multilateralism, Trade and Europe's Global Partnerships

Europe-Latin America, Europe-Africa and Europe-Asia cooperation; the EU and Ibero-American networks that make Madrid a diplomatic bridge
Geneva focused on the UN and WTO system; Madrid widens to Europe’s partnerships with the Global South
05

Inclusive Leadership and Youth Participation

Representation, cross-cultural leadership, public speaking and the Global Youth Leadership Statements
Carried forward and expanded from Geneva
06

From Idea to Impact: Youth Project Delivery

Project design, budgeting, partnerships and pitching; teams compete for post-summit project funding

NEW FOR 2027

Each theme feeds the EYS 2027 Madrid Declaration, adopted on the final conference day.

03 / MEET THE ORGANISER

Organised by the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement

The Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA) is an international organisation that trains the next generation of diplomats, policymakers, entrepreneurs and activists through youth summits, diplomatic-skills programmes and cross-cultural exchange. Since 2023 CDA has convened thousands of delegates from 120+ countries across Europe.

The Geneva legacy.

EYS 2026 speakers included the Director of Beyond Lab at the UN Office at Geneva, the Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the UN in Geneva, and experts from GICHD, the Negotiation Council Geneva and the Geneva Graduate Institute.

01

European Youth Summit 2026

Geneva, Switzerland (207+ delegates, 120+ countries, study visits to the WTO and Palais des Nations)

02

World Youth Forum 2026

Porto, Portugal

03

Civic Youth Forum 2026

Copenhagen, Denmark (sessions at UN City with UNFPA and UNHCR)

04

Youth Vision Assembly 2025

Netherlands

05

Youth Action Summit 2025

Milan, Italy

06

Global Diplomats Forum 2024 and World Youth Forum 2024

Belgium

07

Mandela Residential Fellowship 2023

Türkiye

08

Youth Action Summit 2027

Italy

04 / ABOUT THE SUMMIT

Why Attend a Fully Funded Youth Summit in Spain?

If you have been searching for fully funded international conferences in Europe in 2027, youth summits with free airfare and accommodation, or international opportunities for students and young professionals, the European Youth Summit 2027 in Madrid is built for you. Here is what sets EYS 2027 apart:

01

300 merit-based scholarships

50 fully funded, 100 partially funded and 150 Forum Access seats, awarded on the strength of your application, not your connections

02

Post-summit mentorship

Every scholarship delegate is matched with a mentor from CDA's network of diplomats, policy experts and alumni for structured follow-up after Madrid

03

Project funding

Delegate teams pitch youth-led projects at the post-summit and compete for CDA project funding to implement them at home or their host countries.

04

Truly international

Delegates from 120+ countries, with visa support and an official invitation letter for anyone who needs a Schengen visa for Spain

05

Learn diplomacy by doing

Negotiation simulations, leadership statements on the summit floor and a declaration you help write

06

Official certification

A certificate from the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement for your CV, LinkedIn and scholarship applications

07

Global alumni network

Join a CDA alumni community spanning 165+ countries, with priority access to future programmes

05 / ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Who Can Apply for the European Youth Summit 2027?

AGE
Age

18–50 years (For Scholarship Category)

NAT
Nationality

All nationalities; applicants from developing countries, underrepresented communities and first-time international travellers are strongly encouraged

EDU
Education

All educational backgrounds

LNG
Language

Working knowledge of English (the official summit language)

EXP
Experience

No minimum experience required

PRO
Profile

Students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, activists, researchers, journalists, civil servants and community leaders

CMT
Commitment

Available for all four days (13-16 April 2027)

The European Youth Summit 2027 is open to applicants aged 18 to 50 of all nationalities and educational backgrounds, with a working knowledge of English. No previous conference or diplomatic experience is required.
06 / SCHOLARSHIPS

300 Scholarships in Three Categories

Submit one application and you are considered for all three categories at once. Scholarships are awarded on merit; the selection committee reviews motivation, leadership potential and the project idea you describe.

Fully Funded Scholarship

Everything covered: airfare, shared accommodation, visa reimbursement, meals, full summit access, post-summit mentorship and project funding eligibility.

You arrange: Nothing but yourself

50 seats

Partially Funded Scholarship

Shared accommodation, meals, full summit access, mentorship and project funding eligibility. You cover your own airfare.

You arrange: Your airfare and visa fee

100 seats

Forum Access Scholarship

Meals, full summit access, mentorship and project funding eligibility. You cover your own travel and stay.

You arrange: Your airfare, visa fee and accommodation

150 seats
07 / GUARANTEED PARTICIPATION

Paid Participation Categories

If you are not selected for a scholarship, or you want a guaranteed seat without waiting for the 5 February 2027 results, EYS 2027 offers three paid categories. Each builds on the one before it, and you can upgrade from a lower category to a higher one at any time before the summit.

$99

INVITATION LETTER

For delegates who need an official document to start their Schengen visa application. Includes the Summit Official Invitation Letter, direct delegate-to-embassy coordination to assist visa processing, a visa documentation checklist with guidance, processing within 24–48 hours, delegate support by email and WhatsApp, and the option to upgrade to Summit Access or Self-Funded later. Does not include summit entry.

Visa Only

$249

SUMMIT ACCESS PASS

Everything in the Invitation Letter, plus full access to all summit sessions, workshops, simulations, study visits and networking events, meals during the summit, post-summit mentorship, eligibility for project funding, and the official CDA certificate and delegate kit. You arrange your own airfare and accommodation.

Summit + Visa

$499

SELF-FUNDED (ACCOMMODATION PACKAGE)

Everything in the Summit Access Pass, plus shared accommodation in Madrid for the summit nights of 13–16 April 2027. The complete delegate experience; you arrange only your airfare.

Summit + Stay

What is included in each paid category
Inclusion Invitation Letter$99 Summit Access Pass$249 Self-Funded Accommodation Package$499
Official Summit Invitation LetterIncludedIncludedIncluded
Direct coordination between delegate and embassy to assist visa processingIncludedIncludedIncluded
Visa documentation checklist and step-by-step guidanceIncludedIncludedIncluded
Processing within 24–48 hoursIncludedIncludedIncluded
Dedicated delegate support desk by email and WhatsAppIncludedIncludedIncluded
Option to upgrade to a higher category laterIncludedIncludedNot included
Access to all summit sessions, workshops and simulationsUpon upgradingIncludedIncluded
Study visits and networking eventsUpon upgradingIncludedIncluded
Meals during the summitUpon upgradingIncludedIncluded
Post-summit mentorshipUpon upgradingIncludedIncluded
Eligibility for project fundingUpon upgradingIncludedIncluded
Official CDA certificate, delegate kit and merchandiseUpon upgradingIncludedIncluded
Shared accommodation in Madrid (13–16 April)Upon upgradingNot includedIncluded
08 / KEY DATES

Application Timeline

01

November 2026

Scholarship applications open

02

20 January 2027, 23:59 CET

Deadline for scholarship applications
03

5 February 2027

Scholarship results announced by email
04

February–March 2027

Visa application window
05

13–16 April 2027, Madrid

European Youth Summit 2027

Scholarship applications close on 20 January 2027 and results are announced on 5 February 2027.

09 / APPLICATION PROCESS

How to Apply – Step by Step

If you have been searching for fully funded international conferences in Europe in 2027, youth summits with free airfare and accommodation, or international opportunities for students and young professionals, the European Youth Summit 2027 in Madrid is built for you. Here is what sets EYS 2027 apart:

01.

Complete the online scholarship application form.

You apply for one category and are automatically considered for all of them, from Fully Funded through to Forum Access.

02.

Tell us your story.

Answer short essay questions on your motivation, & your leadership experience.

03.

Selection and notification.

The selection committee reviews every application after the 20 January 2027 deadline. Results are emailed to all applicants on or before 5 February 2027.

04.

Prepare for Madrid.

Arrive in Madrid on 13 April 2027.

Selection criteria (published for transparency)

  • 45%Motivation and clarity of purpose
  • 45%Leadership and community impact to date
  • 10%Diversity of the cohort by region, gender and background
10 / HOST CITY

Why Madrid

Madrid is the seat of Spain’s government and foreign ministry, a bridge between Europe, Latin America and Africa, and home to the headquarters of UN Tourism and the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). For a summit about turning dialogue into delivery, it is a working classroom.

WYF 2026-65
11 / BEYOND THE SUMMIT

What Happens After Madrid?

EYS 2027 is the first CDA summit where every scholarship delegate continues with a mentor and a chance at project funding after the summit.

PROJECT FUNDING (team-based)

5 Projects

up to $5,000

01.

Delegates form international teams in Madrid around one of the six summit themes

02.

Teams submit a short project plan and pitch online post-summit

03.

Selected teams receive CDA seed funding and mentor support to implement the project in their communities - Grants will be awarded to 5 Projects, for up to $5000

04.

Funded teams report back through the alumni network and may be invited to present at a future CDA summit

WYF 2026-37

MENTORSHIP (all 300 scholarship delegates)

12 / SOCIAL PROOF

Powered by Real Experiences

13 / ALUMNI VOICES

What Our Alumni Say

12 / GOT QUESTIONS?

European Youth Summit 2027 – Frequently Asked Questions

Is the European Youth Summit 2027 fully funded?

Yes. The European Youth Summit 2027 offers 50 fully funded scholarships covering round-trip airfare, shared accommodation, visa fee reimbursement, meals, full summit access, post-summit mentorship and project funding eligibility. A further 100 partially funded scholarships and 150 Forum Access scholarships are also available, for a total of 300 seats.

The European Youth Summit 2027 takes place from 13 to 16 April 2027 in Madrid, Spain.
The deadline to apply for all scholarship categories is 20 January 2027. Results will be announced by email on 5 February 2027.
Applicants aged 18 to 50 from all countries and all educational backgrounds, with a working knowledge of English, are eligible. No prior experience is required.
Round-trip airfare, shared accommodation in Madrid for the summit dates, visa fee reimbursement, summit meals, access to all sessions and study visits, post-summit mentorship and eligibility for project funding.
Partially funded delegates receive shared accommodation, meals, summit access, mentorship and project funding eligibility, and pay for their own airfare. Forum Access delegates receive meals, summit access, mentorship and project funding eligibility, and arrange their own travel and accommodation.
No, because your one application gets considered for all three, at same time.
Yes. All selected delegates receive an official invitation letter and embassy coordination support for their Schengen visa application. Fully funded delegates also have their visa fee reimbursed.
Every scholarship delegate is matched with a mentor from CDA’s network of diplomats, policy professionals and alumni for a structured follow-up cycle after the summit.
Delegates form international teams in Madrid, pitch a project linked to one of the summit themes, and selected teams receive CDA seed funding and mentor support to implement it in their communities.
Negotiation and conflict resolution; climate diplomacy and sustainable development; digital governance and AI in diplomacy; multilateralism and Europe’s global partnerships; inclusive leadership and youth participation; and youth project delivery.
Yes. All delegates receive an official certificate of participation from the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement.
English is the official language of the European Youth Summit.
The Centre for Diplomatic Advancement organised the first European Youth Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 to 8 June 2026, with 207+ delegates from 120+ countries and study visits to the World Trade Organization and the Palais des Nations.
Yes, you can join by registering through paid participation categories.