NATO South Caucasus Winter School for Young Leaders 2026: Fully Funded Youth Programme in Georgia

The NATO South Caucasus Winter School for Young Leaders 2026 is now accepting applications from young people in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan who are interested in NATO, international affairs, regional cooperation, and community engagement.

The five-day programme will bring together selected young professionals, students, and recent graduates for an educational experience focused on NATO’s mission, values, structure, history, and partnership with countries in the South Caucasus.

About the NATO South Caucasus Winter School 2026

The NATO South Caucasus Winter School for Young Leaders is designed to provide young participants with a deeper understanding of NATO and its engagement in the South Caucasus region.

The 2026 programme will take place from 30 November to 4 December 2026 in Lopota, Georgia.

Throughout the five-day programme, participants will have the opportunity to learn about NATO while engaging with topics relevant to the region. The programme will also include practical learning, including an exercise focused on countering disinformation.

What Participants Will Learn

The programme will focus on several important areas, including:

• NATO’s mission and purpose
• NATO’s core values
• NATO’s structure and functioning
• The history and development of NATO
• NATO’s partnerships in the South Caucasus
• Regional issues and cooperation
• Countering disinformation
• Ways young people can contribute to raising awareness about NATO within their communities

The practical exercise on countering disinformation is intended to give participants an opportunity to apply what they learn during the programme.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is specifically open to young people from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 to 25 years old
• Be a student or recent graduate
• Be from Georgia, Armenia, or Azerbaijan
• Have a high level of English proficiency
• Be able to participate in a programme conducted entirely in English
• Demonstrate an interest in using the knowledge and experience gained through the Winter School within their communities

APPLY HERE

Participation Costs Are Covered

Selected participants will have their main programme-related costs covered by the organisers.

This includes:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Programme-related expenses

This makes the Winter School an accessible opportunity for eligible young people who want to participate in an international educational programme without having to cover the main costs associated with attendance.

Application Requirements

As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit a short video of no more than 90 seconds.

In the video, applicants should:

1. Introduce themselves by stating their full name.
2. State their country of origin.
3. State the region they are originally from.
4. Provide specific examples and plans explaining how they intend to use the knowledge and experience gained from the NATO South Caucasus Winter School 2026.
5. Explain how they plan to raise awareness about NATO within their communities.

Applicants should use the video to communicate their own story, ideas, motivation, and plans clearly.

Important: AI Is Prohibited

The organisers have explicitly stated that the use of AI is strongly prohibited as part of the application process.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their application materials, particularly the required video, represent their own ideas, experiences, voice, and personal perspective.

Programme Location and Dates

The Winter School will be held at:

Lopota, Georgia

Dates: 30 November – 4 December 2026

The programme will last five days.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is:

31 August 2026 at 23:59

Applicants should ensure that their application and required video are submitted before the stated deadline.

Why Young People Should Consider This Opportunity

The NATO South Caucasus Winter School provides an opportunity for young participants to develop their understanding of an important international organisation and its relationship with the South Caucasus.

It can be particularly valuable for students and recent graduates interested in areas such as:

• International relations
• Diplomacy
• International security
• Political science
• Regional affairs
• Public policy
• Youth leadership
• Community engagement
• Countering disinformation

Beyond learning about NATO, participants will also be expected to think about how they can take what they learn and use it to raise awareness within their own communities.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants should complete the official application form and include the required 90-second video.

Before submitting, applicants should carefully check that their application:

• Meets the age requirement
• Is submitted by someone from an eligible country
• Demonstrates a strong level of English
• Includes the required personal information
• Contains a video of no more than 90 seconds
• Clearly explains how the applicant intends to use the programme’s knowledge and experience in their community

Applicants should also remember that AI use is strongly prohibited.

Visit HERE to learn more about the NATO South Caucasus Winter School for Young Leaders 2026

Conclusion

The NATO South Caucasus Winter School for Young Leaders 2026 offers students and recent graduates from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan an opportunity to deepen their understanding of NATO, explore its partnerships in the South Caucasus, and develop practical knowledge around issues such as countering disinformation.

With accommodation, meals, and programme-related expenses covered, the five-day programme in Lopota, Georgia, provides an opportunity for young people to learn, engage and develop ideas for creating greater awareness about NATO within their communities.

Eligible applicants should prepare their applications and required 90-second video carefully and submit them by 31 August 2026 at 23:59.

For more global grants, scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, conferences, competitions, and other career opportunities for young people, visit the Opportunities for Youth (OFY) website at www.opportunitiesforyouth.org.