Funding for youth working on chemicals and waste to attend the 8th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly | Samarkand, Uzbekistan | 30 May – 6 June 2026
We are pleased to share this call for applications to represent Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP) at the upcoming Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly, scheduled for 30 May - 6 June 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Overview
As the youth constituency associated with the chemicals and waste focal area of the GEF and its supported international agreements (BRS, Minamata and GFC), Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP) is one of several youth networks invited by the GEF Secretariat to nominate 1-2 representatives for GEF-funded participation in the Assembly. CWYP will also financially sponsor travel expenses for an additional 3-4 youth.
What is the GEF?
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established in 1992, just before the Rio Earth Summit, and is the world's largest fund for the environment that supports projects across a range of portfolios, particularly: (a) biological diversity; (b) climate change; (c) international waters; (d) land degradation; and (e) chemicals and waste.
Over the past 30 years, the GEF has provided more than $27 billion in grant funding and mobilized $155 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 national and regional projects. The GEF works with 18 agency partners, including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national entities and international NGOs.
The GEF Assembly is the main governing body of the GEF, bringing together governments, civil society, youth, Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders. The Assembly meets every four years to review and take decisions on the GEF's policy and strategic direction ahead of the next financial replenishment cycle, and discuss solutions to the world's biggest environmental challenges.
Why is it important for youth to engage in GEF assembly?
The GEF funds the implementation of chemicals and waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and policy frameworks, such as the Stockholm Convention (persistent organic pollutants) and Minamata Convention (mercury) for which the CWYP serves as the youth constituency mobilizing and coordinating youth engagement. In other words, the policies and commitments that CWYP advocates for in these processes ultimately rely on GEF funding to translate to action on the ground. It is vital that youth views are incorporated at each stage - from policy development through implementation.
Priority placed on meaningful youth engagement in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has been steadily building in recent years. At the 7th GEF Assembly in 2023, youth constituencies participated in the Assembly proceedings and delivered a joint youth statement for the first time, calling for inclusion of youth in the design and implementation of GEF projects and for a GEF youth engagement strategy to be developed. The GEF Secretariat also committed to investing in youth skills development through the launch of the Gustavo Fonseca Youth Conservation Fellowship Program. Since the previous Assembly, youth networks and constituencies working across the GEF focal areas have continued to advocate for stronger and more structured pathways for youth engagement in GEF processes.
Governments and partners are currently negotiating the ninth replenishment cycle of the GEF (GEF-9), covering the period 2026–2030. Financial allocations for the chemicals and waste focal area have steadily increased with each replenishment cycle (USD 800 million in GEF-8). GEF-9 is expected to provide the largest boost in chemicals and waste funding to date, making it especially important that youth weigh in on how these resources are prioritized and used.
It is also anticipated that the upcoming Assembly will see the launch of a GEF Youth Network, which would help formalize and strengthen coordination among youth constituencies engaging with the GEF.
Eligibility
Travel grants are open to youth who:
- Are age 35 and younger;
- Have not received travel support from the CWYP within the last 12 months at the time of application; and
- Are able to demonstrate active engagement in policy, research, advocacy, or on-the-ground initiatives related to the sound management of chemicals and waste, as well as an interest in how environmental financing mechanisms such as the GEF support national and global implementation of environmental commitments.
Preference will be given to youth from low and middle-income countries, LDCs, and SIDs. Filling out this form and/or selection does not guarantee your participation. It is subject to the final availability of funded spots and registration approval by the GEF.
NOTE: Copy-pasted AI / ChatGPT / LLM responses are not permitted. They can be used as a tool to help organize your thoughts or for editing your own writing, but not to generate responses for you. Sincere, personalized applications generally stand out and receive greater support from the selection team, even if they aren't grammatically "perfect." Share with us what specifically excites you about participating, discuss a project you are working on, tell us a story. We want to learn about you, in your own voice.
Expectations of CWYP delegates
Youth selected for financial support and representing CWYP will be expected to actively contribute to youth coordination before and during the Assembly, including participation in preparatory meetings, supporting preparation of youth positions on GEF programming and policy, and engaging in outreach and reporting activities following the conference. Participation in all days of the GEF Assembly (30 May - 6 June) is required.
Expected travel support coverage
The following is an overview of travel arrangements and financial support to be provided to youth selected for travel grants. More detailed logistics will be shared with successful applicants.
Fully-Funded Travel Grants [Open to youth from Global South countries, especially LDCs and SIDS]
- Economy-class, round-trip flight tickets booked by the Organizing Team
- Hotel accommodation arranged by the Organizing Team
- Reimbursement of meals, visa fees and transportation costs against receipts and as approved by Organizing Team
Partially-Funded Travel Grants [Open to all youth]
- Hotel accommodation arranged by the Organizing Team
- Reimbursement of meals, visa fees and transportation costs against receipts and as approved by Organizing Team
Support with selections
If you are not applying for a funded spot to attend the 8th GEF Assembly and would like to join the Selection Team to evaluate and select youth candidates to represent the constituency, please email chemicals.admin@unmgcy.org with subject line "Selection Team Volunteer - GEF Assembly," and include your name, date of birth and contact information in the body of the email.
Privacy Notice
The personal information you provide in this form will only be accessed by the Organizing Team for the purpose of facilitating participation in this conference. Your information will not be shared outside of the organizing team and will not be retained beyond the conference dates.
For travel grant applications, all submissions are anonymized before being shared with the independent selection team.
Other opoortunities to participate
External funding opportunities (not managed by CWYP) are indicated with [EXT] and are provided for information only.Earth Journalism Network (EJN) - Funded Fellowship for Journalists from LMIC Countries to Cover the 8th GEF Assembly | Deadline: 31 March 2026
Open to professional journalists from or representing an established media house from a low- or middle-income country. They will be mentored by an EJN trainer, who is a senior journalist with experience in covering international environmental conferences. Fellows must produce stories in print, online, radio or broadcast formats. Stories produced as a result of this fellowship can be in any language.
GEF Open Registration Form for Self-Funded Delegates | Deadline: 30 April 2026
Please fill this form if you a) are not applying for a travel grant through CWYP; b) are able to support your own travel costs to participate in the 8th GEF Assembly or have a confirmed financial sponsor for these costs; and c) plan to join the conference in-person Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Please inform CWYP of your registration and plan to participate in a self-funded capacity by sending an email to chemicals.admin@unmgcy.org, so that we can include you in the on-ground youth coordination channels.