Application Process & Rules
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is delighted to announce the call for applications for Ireland’s nomination to the EU-UN Youth Delegate Programme 2025-2026. NYCI will nominate one individual to proceed to the selection process for the EU-UN Youth Delegate role. This role is jointly managed by the European Union Delegation to the United Nations in New York and DG INTPA of the European Commission in Brussels. NYCI has no say in the selection procedure beyond Ireland’s nomination.
The EU-UN Youth Delegate Programme
The UN Youth Delegate (UNYD) programme aims at enhancing the participation of young people in the work of the United Nations. The participation of the EU in the UNYD programme allows the EU to be present in relevant youth dialogues at the UN, to advocate for the interests and rights of young people in Europe and to increase the representation and geographic coverage of the EU’s youth.
Two EU-UNYDs will be selected, following nomations from EU Member States, to participate in the programme for 2025-2026. Their mandate will include, inter alia:
- Participate on behalf of the EU Delegation to the UN in New York in relevant discussions, including on youth affairs and other matters as appropriate, in the UN General Assembly and its committees, and the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
- Ensure close coordination and information sharing with EU Member States’ Youth Delegates, including through the organisation of regular coordination meetings with EU Member States’ Youth Delegates, with the support of the EU Delegation.
- Provide input to EU Delegation staff when needed, to ensure that a youth perspective in reflected across the three pillars of the UN (Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights) and in all strands of work.
- Liaise and coordinate with and report back to National Youth Councils and organisations at the EU and EU Member States’ level, as well as the EU Youth Sounding Board, to ensure that their voices are reflected and that they are aware of important discussions at the UN which touch on subjects of interest for European youth.
- Communicate on their activities in the context of the Youth Delegate programme, in line with the communication strategy created by the EU Delegation which includes, inter alia, hosting/participating in the preparation of the “Who Rules the World” podcast episodes, promotion of the same social media and other channels to their networks, and communicating about other aspects of their work as Youth Delegates.
- Provide guidance to the subsequent cohort of EU-UNYDs, including through the provision of a written handover and a virtual meeting with the selected candidates.
The programme will begin in September 2025 and will run for a duration of 12 months. The selected EU-UNYDs will be tentatively expected to travel to New York around three times during the year (e.g. during the session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Commission on Social Development, the Commission on the Status of Women, the ECOSOC Youth Forum, or the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development). They will be embedded in the EU Delegation to the UN, and will participate in EU coordination meetings and other relevant meetings as appropriate, including at Ambassadorial level. They will attend and organise events and negotiations to promote a youth perspective across a range of topics.
The two selected EU-UNYDs will notably be expected to prepare and deliver statements during the Third Committee debate on Social Development. A visit to Brussels might also be organised during their mandate. Delegates will be expected to engage for approximately 40 days per year, which includes travel to New York and Brussels. All visits and activities will be defined in coordination with the Youth Delegates and according to their availability and priorities.
The two selected EU-UNYDs will also have introductory meetings with EU officials, in preparation of their mandate, and the opportunity to discuss the applicable communication strategy and general expectations with the responsible members of staff at the EU Delegation to the UN. The EU-UNYDs will be responsible for consulting and informing National Youth Councils and relevant youth organisations in the EU, as well as the UNYDs of EU Member States. Close coordination will also be sought with the EU’s Youth Sounding Board.
The EU-UNYD programme is a voluntary extracurricular programme aimed at exposing young people to the work of the UN, and at facilitating intergenerational dialogue. Whenever travel is involved, the EU will cover all travel costs including flights, accommodation, daily subsistence allowances and insurances. Visa requests are arranged by the EU Delegation to the UN.
Call for Applications
The selection process for the 2025-2026 EU-UNYDs will be managed by the EU Delegation in New York. NYCI has been invited to submit one candidate for Ireland, who should respond to the following criteria:
- Be resident in the Republic of Ireland and hold Irish citizenship,
- Be aged over 18 but under 30 at the time of national application,
- Be willing and able to devote up to approximately 40 days per year, to give energy to advocacy and actions for youth rights,
- Demonstrate an interest in international relations, political science, law, human rights, international development, public health, climate, or any other field related to UN activities,
- Be motivated and/or have experience in and knowledge of youth advocacy and organisations and movements, and have a vision for youth participation at EU and UN levels,
- Be available to travel to New York around three times during the year, as well as to Brussels,
- Have excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
The EU and NYCI are committed to the principle of non-discrimination. Applications from young EU citizens of various backgrounds are encouraged. Respect for gender equality, balance in regional representation and diversity, will be key criteria during the EU-UNYD selection process.
Please Note: Applicants must be available on the following dates, in case they progress to subsequent rounds.
- 10th March: Online Interview with NYCI
- 14th-18th April: Interviews with the EU Delegation to the UN (likely online, but tbc)
- 1st-20th July: Handover meeting with previous EU-UNYDs (exact date tbc)
- 1st September: Start date.
Submitting an Application
Please send the following to diandra@nyci.ie by 5pm (Irish time) on Friday 28th February. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered. Please allow time for application review following this date. All applicants will be contacted after this review period on the outcome of their application.
Your application should strictly consist of the following (in PDF form):
- A 1-page single-sided CV, outlining your relevant experience for this role
- A 1-page single-sided Cover Letter, outlining your motivations for applying for this role
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I apply for both Ireland’s EU-UNYD nomination and Ireland’s UNYD selection?
Yes. However, note that if you progress after each application and are successful for both roles, you will not be able to hold both positions concurrently due to overlapping commitments.
Is the EU-UNYD role paid?
No, this is a voluntary role. Whenever travel is involved, the EU will cover all travel costs including flights, accommodation, daily subsistence allowances and insurances.
I was unable to meet the deadline, can I get an extension to apply?
Unfortunately not. We must adhere to deadlines set by the EU Delegation to the UN in New York.
How is NYCI involved in the EU-UNYD role?
NYCI, along with National Youth Councils from across the EU, will nominate one candidate for the EU-UNYD role. NYCI has no say or involvement in the selection process. This is managed by the EU Delegation to the UN in New York.