United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership Program 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 4d
- 4 min read
If you’re looking for an exciting, fully funded leadership opportunity in sustainability — especially one that empowers young changemakers to take real action — then the United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership Program 2026 is one to watch. Below is a detailed breakdown of this program, structured to help your blog readers (or prospective applicants) understand what it is, why it matters, and how to apply.
✨ Programme Summary
Location: Global (online), with a 1-week immersive experience in the USA
Host: United People Global (UPG)
Type: Leadership training / capacity building program
Target Group: Young adults aged 18–35 from any country
Focus: Sustainability broadly (environmental, social, economic); aligned with the UN SDGs
Coverage: Free online training; selected participants get fully-funded USA trip (travel, accommodation, meals, local transport)
Program Duration: 9-week online training + optional 1-week in-person (for selected)
Application Deadline: 31 December 2025
Start Date: Training in 2026 (exact dates per cohort)
Eligible: All nationalities; aged 18–35 (between 1 March and 31 July 2026)
🌐 Program Overview
UPG Sustainability Leadership is not just a “course” — it’s a global movement. Its vision is to mobilize citizen-leaders to take positive, local action on sustainability, leveraging the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework.
Here’s how the program works:
Online Training (9 Weeks)
Over 500 participants globally are selected for a free, intensive online leadership course.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics: project management, stakeholder engagement, storytelling, fundraising, leadership, sustainability in economics/politics/law/culture/tech.
Participants also learn how to design and run a sustainability project in their local community.
Immersive In-Person Experience in the USA
A select number (e.g., around 60) of online participants are invited to a 1-week immersive experience at the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership, Maine, USA.
This trip is fully funded: UPG covers round-trip flights, accommodation, meals, and local transport.
On-site, participants engage in hands-on sustainability challenges, leadership sessions, field investigations, and team-building.
Certification & Continued Impact
On completion of the training, participants become UPG Sustainability Leaders.
As leaders, they commit to:
a. Implementing a sustainability project in their own community.
b. Organizing mini-training sessions locally to share what they learned.
Graduates join a global network, where they can continue learning, collaborating, and scaling their impact.
🎁 Benefits & What’s Covered
Training cost: Free (except the small application fee, see below)
Certification: Yes — you receive a UPG Sustainability Leader certificate.
Global Network: Access to UPG’s network of changemakers, mentors, and alumni from around the world.
Fully Funded USA Trip (for selected): All major costs covered (flight, lodging, food, transport)
Real-world Impact: The program is designed so that participants don’t just learn — they launch actual projects in their communities.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the UPG Sustainability Leadership Program 2026, you need to:
Be 18–35 years old (specifically, your birthday must fall between 1 March and 31 July 2026)
Be motivated and have a strong commitment to sustainability change.
Demonstrate leadership potential and ability to implement a project.
Be willing to commit to:
Leading a local project after the training
Organizing at least one mini-training in your community to share what you’ve learned
Know English: Training is offered in English, so you should be able to read, write, and speak English well.
Pay a mandatory application fee of CHF 5 (around USD 6) — this covers administrative costs.
ℹ️ Selection is based on four main criteria:
Profile diversity — UPG aims for a broad mix of participants.
Motivation — Why you want to join, what drives you.
Capabilities — Your skills, potential to lead and manage.
Impact potential — How strong and feasible your project ideas are.
They also encourage submitting a short video (up to 2 minutes) as part of your application to present yourself, discuss your motivation, or explain your ideas.
Organisations (such as NGOs, companies, or institutions) can also nominate candidates, and that can strengthen an application.
📝 Application Process & Timeline
Apply Online
Applications are submitted through UPG’s official portal.
Video submission (if you choose) can be done at a separate link after you fill out the form.
Pay Application Fee
After submitting the form, you’ll be asked to pay CHF 5.
Selection
Applications are evaluated based on the four criteria listed above.
Training Period
The 9-week online training runs in 2026.
Immersive USA Experience
Selected participants attend 1 week in the U.S. (Hurricane Island) — dates to be confirmed.
Post-Training Commitment
After certification, leaders must run a local project and organize at least one mini-training in their community.
👌🏻 Why It’s a Great Opportunity
Truly Global: Open to young people from any country.
Low Barrier to Entry: No need for prior formal sustainability experience — passion and commitment matter more.
Hands-On Impact: Not just theory — you’ll design real-world projects and reach out to your community.
Professional Growth: Learning from experts, building leadership skills, scaling your network.
Fully Supported Trip: The in-person component is fully funded — rare in many youth leadership programs.
Long-Term Network: Even after training, you stay connected with a global network of sustainability leaders.
📖 Tips for Applicants
Be Authentic: Express your genuine motivation. Why does sustainability matter to you personally?
Think Big, But Act Local: Propose projects that can realistically be implemented in your community, even if small.
Show Leadership Potential: Even small experiences of organizing, volunteering, or leading can count.
Prepare Your Video Thoughtfully: Use the 2-minute video to make a personal connection — tell your story, your dreams, and how you plan to act.
Be Committed: Demonstrate that you’re ready not just to learn, but to act — to deliver a mini-training and run a project afterward.
🚀 Final Thought
The UPG Sustainability Leadership Program 2026 is a powerful chance for young people to become real agents of change — equipped with skills, backed by a global community, and empowered to act locally. If you (or someone you know) believe in the power of citizen-led sustainability, this could be the moment to step in, learn, connect, and make a tangible impact.
