Young Leadership Programme 2026

Are you ready to shape the future of Europe’s forests? We are seeking dynamic young professionals who meet the following criteria:

• Young professionals (e.g., practitioners, entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, scientists, artists, journalists, conservationists and environmentalists, government and NGO employees, and experts from investment and philanthropic networks) from diverse backgrounds interested in the forest-based bioeconomy.
• The programme is primarily aimed at participants aged 35 or younger who are in the early stages of their careers in the forest-based bioeconomy. However, applicants of all ages are welcome.
• Demonstrate a track record of leadership, whether through active roles in professional associations, community-led initiatives, or environmental advocacy.
• A keen interest in, or knowledge of, the Northern European forest sector, research, innovation, or futures thinking.
• A willingness to fully contribute to the group and engage in exploratory activities to overcome ambiguities of concepts, identify and challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of what is thought to be possible.

Studying or working at an EFI member organisation, or being affiliated with the Forest Joensuu or other leading sectors through Business Joensuu, is an asset.

Fluency in English is essential for full participation.

A registration fee of €250 per participant will be charged upon acceptance and must be paid in advance.

Available to attend the full programme in person from 24 to 28 August 2026.

All application materials must be submitted in English. Please prepare:

• A CV (max 2 pages).
• A letter of recommendation written by an employer, PhD advisor, or another person who can speak to your leadership potential. You may submit the letter with your application or later. If so, send the letter to ylp@efi.int.
• Link to your motivation video (max 2 minutes). In your video, please address any of the following:
  • an innovation challenge you have tackled / identified and developed ideas to address (professionally or in another context) with a short reflection on learnings from the process, or
  • a question about the future of the bioeconomy or forest sector that excites or concerns you, why it does and some exploratory ideas of how you think it might be approached.

Questions? Contact us at ylp@efi.int.

A fee of €250 per participant will be charged upon acceptance and must be paid in advance.

A limited number of fee waivers are available to cover the programme participation fee. Please indicate in your application if you wish to be considered for a fee waiver and provide a supporting reason for that. This will not affect the selection process.

In addition, selected participants of YLP 2026 who are enrolled in a UEF Summer School 2026 course in Joensuu may be exempt from the participation fee. This exemption is subject to availability, as only a limited number of fee waivers can be granted.

All participants are responsible for their own organisation and financing of their travel arrangements, accommodation and other personal costs related to their stay.

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