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

Overview

The NATO South Caucasus Winter School for Young Leaders 2026 is a five-day programme for young people from Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan who are interested in NATO, international affairs, regional cooperation and community engagement. It takes place from 30 November to 4 December 2026 in Lopota, Georgia, and is run entirely in English.

Participants learn about NATO's mission and purpose, values, structure and functioning, history and partnerships in the South Caucasus, as well as regional issues and cooperation. A practical exercise on countering disinformation lets them apply what they learn, and they consider how to raise awareness about NATO in their own communities.

Who can apply

Applicants must be aged 18 to 25, be students or recent graduates, and come from Georgia, Armenia or Azerbaijan. They need a high level of English and should show an interest in using what they gain within their communities.

What you get

The organisers cover the main programme costs for selected participants, including accommodation, meals and programme-related expenses.

How to apply

Applicants complete the official application form and include a short video of no more than 90 seconds. In the video they give their full name, country of origin and home region, then offer specific examples and plans for using the knowledge and experience from the Winter School and for raising awareness about NATO in their communities. The organisers strongly prohibit the use of AI in the application, so the video and other materials should reflect the applicant's own ideas and voice. Before submitting, applicants should check that they meet the age and country requirements and that the application includes the required personal information.

Key dates

The application deadline is 31 August 2026 at 23:59. The programme runs from 30 November to 4 December 2026.