Antalya: The Children and Youth Pavilion at COP31 has opened applications for young climate leaders to serve as COP31 youth spokespersons during the UN climate summit, with the application deadline set for 11 October 2026, according to the official call for applications.
FAKTA
- What: Applications for the Children and Youth Pavilion’s COP31 spokesperson team
- Who: Young people with confirmed COP31 accreditation and funding, and expertise in a thematic area
- Deadline: 11 October 2026
- Duties: Media interviews, thematic-day commentary, one-day social media takeover
- Not included: Funding or a Blue Zone badge
What the COP31 youth spokesperson role involves
Selected spokespeople will be matched to the thematic days of the conference that correspond to their knowledge and experience, where they will help explain key discussions, announcements and issues to the public and the media, the call states.
A major part of the role will be responding to media interview requests from journalists looking for young experts who can comment on issues connected to their area of expertise.
Each selected spokesperson will also receive one day to take over the Children and Youth Pavilion’s Instagram and TikTok pages, showcasing their COP31 experience, the Pavilion’s activities and youth participation in the climate discussions to audiences who cannot attend in person.
Nine thematic areas
The application lists nine areas of expertise candidates can identify with:
- Food, Agriculture and Health
- Energy and Transport
- Zero Waste
- Resilient Cities and Built Environment
- Finance and Trade
- Children, Youth, Education and Skills
- Science, Industry and Technology
- Ocean, Seas, Nature and Land Use
- Human and Social Development
The call notes that applicants do not need to be climate scientists — young professionals, activists, journalists, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders working in relevant fields may all have valuable expertise to contribute.
Who can apply
The opportunity is aimed at young people who already hold confirmed accreditation and confirmed funding to attend COP31, and who have knowledge or practical experience in at least one of the thematic areas.
Applicants should be able to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, particularly in interview settings, and be available to take part in one mandatory spokesperson training session before COP31. The exact date and time of that training has not yet been announced.
Experience in journalism, media, communications, advocacy, research, campaigning, content creation or public speaking is considered particularly valuable for the role.
This is not a funded role
The call makes one condition clear: this is not a funded position. The Children and Youth Pavilion will neither provide funding for participants to attend COP31 nor provide a Blue Zone badge.
Applicants should therefore only apply if they have already secured both confirmed accreditation and confirmed funding for their participation.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through an online form and must be completed before the 11 October deadline. Candidates are asked to provide their full name, age, country, primary geographical area of work, contact details, areas of expertise, dates available at COP31, media experience, a short biography, social media links and a statement of why they would be a strong addition to the spokesperson team.
The call comes as young people around the world prepare to engage with COP31, which takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026 — including at COY21, the global youth climate conference held in the days before the summit.
Conclusion
The spokesperson call offers a small group of young people a visible platform at COP31 — a chance to bring youth perspectives directly into the summit’s media coverage. For those who meet the conditions, the window to apply closes on 11 October.
