CYMG Global Steering Committee Open Call

The Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (CYMG) is the formal youth engagement mechanism to the UN Environment Programme. Its open call fills five unpaid volunteer leadership roles: one North America Regional Focal Point on the Global Steering Committee, and two Interim Co-Chairs each for its Youth Plastic Action Network and its Ocean Science and Governance Youth Network. You must be a CYMG member before you apply.

What you get:

• A volunteer leadership role in UNEP's formal youth constituency, working with UNEP offices, Member States and partners
• Onboarding sessions from CYMG's Global Coordinators covering tools, knowledge and contacts for the role
• No pay: CYMG states all positions are voluntary, with no financial benefit

What you'll do:

• North America Regional Focal Point: coordinate youth input into UNEP governance processes and regional consultations, about 3 hours a week
• YPAN Interim Co-Chairs: lead the youth network engaging in the global plastics treaty negotiations, at least 10 hours a week
• OSG Interim Co-Chairs: lead youth engagement in ocean science and governance, including Regional Seas processes, at least 10 hours a week
• Draft and lead formal youth inputs such as statements and submissions, and run working groups and task forces

Key dates:

• Applications close 18 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC
• Mandate starts on selection, on or before 1 December 2026

More information:

• Join CYMG first, free, through the Join page on CYMG's website
• The Terms of Reference for the Global Steering Committee are linked from the application form

• Under the age of 35 at the time of application
• A member of CYMG before applying (individually or through a member organisation); the form says applications from non-members cannot be processed. Membership is free and open to all interested youth
• Time: at least 3 hours a week for the Regional Focal Point; at least 10 hours a week, likely more, for the Interim Co-Chairs
• Able to commit to the responsibilities of the position in its Terms of Reference
• Agree to CYMG's Processes and Procedures, the principles of the UN Charter and CYMG's Vision