Applications for the UK–Germany Youth Summit 2026 are now closed.
Selected participants have been contacted. We look forward to welcoming them to Berlin from 19–22 March 2026.
What is the summit about?
The UK–Germany Youth Summit is a lighthouse project under the landmark UK–Germany Kensington Treaty, which strengthens cooperation between the UK and Germany, including in the areas of education, youth exchange, and democratic engagement.
The Summit brings together young people from the UK and Germany and offers a space to explore intercultural dialogue and deepen your understanding of different perspectives.
Who is involved?
- 70 young people from Germany and the UK, aged 18–25
Why take part?
- Connect with peers from the UK and Germany and build meaningful international friendships
- Develop key skills that strengthen your critical thinking and resilience
- Explore how democracy shapes your daily life and how you can contribute to sustaining it
- Gain confidence through speaking up, collaborating and sharing ideas
- Bring new perspectives back to your school, workplace or community
- Be supported by an experienced intercultural team throughout the fully funded programme
- Enjoy an enriching and memorable experience in Berlin!
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Youth Summit, you should:
- be between 18 and 25 years old at the time of the event
- should currently live in the UK and have done so for the past 2 years
- should have done at least two years of your formal education (which could be secondary, further or higher education) in the UK
- should have a good understanding of English, as the entire programme is in English
- be able to participate fully in the summit in Berlin from 19 to 22 March 2026 (no part-time participation)
- be available for a 2–3 hour online preparatory seminar in early March
You should also:
- be interested in topics such as democracy, civic engagement, disinformation and resilience
- be open and respectful towards different cultures, opinions and experiences
If you have any questions, please contact us at Youth.Summit@britishcouncil.org.
Who is organising the summit?
The UK–Germany Youth Summit is a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ), the UK Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The project is delivered by IJAB – the International Youth Service of the Federal Republic of Germany – and the British Council.
