ACWAY Global Youth Forum 2026

From intercultural & interfaith Dialogue to Action

We are delighted to announce that applications are open for our upcoming ACWAY Global Youth Forum 2026, which will be taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from the 8th of June to the 10th June 2026.

This year’s forum will bring together emerging leaders between the ages of 18-30, from diverse regions, genders, and faiths, particularly those who have previously been involved in the fields of interfaith/intercultural peacebuilding or in relevant local projects or organisations.

This forum is organised by A Common Word Among Youth, in partnership with the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, supported by our longstanding partner, The Stirling Foundation, and in collaboration with the Dialogue Center Singapore, and the United Religions Initiative.

Objectives

Building skilled, action-ready youth leaders: This forum will equip Fellows with targeted training in advocacy, dialogue, and project design, ensuring they leave with practical tools to drive interfaith and intercultural change in their own communities.
Strengthening a global network with a unified vision: The forum will bring together 80+ youth leaders, to collaborate, facilitate knowledge sharing, and co-create a unified interfaith statement that serves as a collective legacy and blueprint for future action.
Turning ideas into lasting impact: Through our Interfaith Development Goals (IDGs) and structured cross-sector partnerships between grassroots and international organisations, participants will design and launch community-based initiatives built for long-term scalability and real-world results.

Forum Details

Duration: 8 June 2026 to 10 June 2026 (7 June arrival and 11 June departure)
Format: The forum will be held in person, featuring a mix of workshop-style sessions, peer-to-peer learnings, and cultural activities. The forum will be centred around three key tracks: Advocacy, Design, and Action.
What is covered: International flights, airport transfers (to and from the venue/hotel in Tashkent), accommodation, and all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be covered during the 3 days of the Forum.
What is not covered: Any additional costs incurred during this time will not be reimbursed or covered by ACWAY or its partners. Selected participants will be responsible for covering visa fees, as well as transportation costs to and from their airport of departure in their home country. Participants are also required to arrange and cover their own health and travel insurance.

Eligibility Criteria

All eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

Active in the fields of interfaith/intercultural peacebuilding and/or Involvement in a relevant local or international project or organisation OR Active in university campus or local youth centres on intersectional issues affecting young people of faith and no faith
First time participant in an ACWAY forum (this does not apply to returning fellows who are invited based on their activity reporting)
Good level of English (no translation services will be provided)
Aged 18-30 (by 7 June 2026)

Commitment to:

Participate in the two (2) pre-forum sessions to be conducted online
Travel to Uzbekistan and stay throughout the programme from 7th – 11th June, 2026
Deliver at least one interfaith/intercultural project between June – December 2026
Actively engage in post-forum activities throughout 2026 – 2027

Deadline for applications: April 10, 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Apply Now

Why this Forum matters

This forum is built around three strategic pillars:

Advocacy: Through advocacy, participants will build a shared foundation for inclusion, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence across cultures and faiths.
Dialogue: Through dialogue, they share their experiences, lessons learned, and insights from their communities.
Action: Through action, they turn those conversations into real projects, leaving the forum with practical tools to create change where they live and work.

Together, these three pillars form a participatory and practice-oriented methodology that is grounded, people-centered, and built for impact, ensuring both immediate learning and longer-term impact.

About ACWAY

A Common Word Among Youth (ACWAY) is an international youth network which brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to increase the understanding of different cultures and faiths and to promote peace and coexistence through delivering local community projects. Over the last decade, ACWAY has brought together over 1000 young people through eight international training forums globally.