U.S. Embassy in Sweden

High School Students and Adult Mentors invited to apply. Application deadline is December 1, 2021

• Have you dreamed of collaborating with peers from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA to build a more sustainable future?
• Do you want to better understand the Paris Agreement, securing global net-zero by 2050, and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) goals?
• Would you like to design and deliver sustainability impact projects using an entrepreneurial mindset?
• Will you be an innovator? Discover how science and entrepreneurship can deliver self-sustaining climate solutions

The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program (ODYLP): Climate Change is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by Legacy International.  

The program, which is scheduled to take place between January and May, 2022, includes a three-week virtual exchange followed by three months of community action work.  Between 4-5 high school students (ages 15-18) from each country and one adult mentor (ages 23+) will be competitively selected to participate and gain valuable training in community leadership and environmental sustainability.

Adult mentors will gain new skills in youth leadership development and environmental education and learn techniques to combine in-person-classroom learning with virtual instruction.  He/ she will guide young leaders through a four-month overall experience culminating in the implementation of community-based projects.

Program Goals

During the program, you will meet experts and collaborate with peers while exploring the following topics:

1. Examine what is being done in each participating country to secure global net-zero by 2050, support the Paris Agreement and COP26 goals.
2. Explore sustainable land-use initiatives as part of global action on climate change and clean, green recovery.
3. Explore practical solutions to mitigate climate change impacts and  U.S. Dept. of State Climate Change Initiatives.
4. Discover how science and tech innovations can deliver self-sustaining climate solutions.
5. Advance action in the places we live, from communities to cities and regions. What can the youth get involved in or create?
6. As a country group, design and deliver sustainability impact projects using an entrepreneurial mindset.
7. Share program impact – participants will SHARE YOUR ACTION– using the alumni.state.gov and Embassy platforms as well as the COP26 #TogetherForOurPlanet social media platforms.

Time Involvement – what does the virtual exchange program look like?  

There are two phases to the program.

Phase One: The virtual exchange (January 16 – February 6, 2022) consists of approximately 10-11 hours of engagement per week (8-9 hours of asynchronous activities and one 2-hour synchronous sessions each weekend.)  Asynchronous means – do anytime that works for you prior to the weekend session.

Phase Two:  The Community-Based Project Phase (Between March and May 2022)  consists of one synchronous weekend meeting per month (either on Saturday or Sunday) plus 8-10 hours of implementation work each month.

Is there a cost?  There is no application fee.  The program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), will cover all program-related costs, including internet stipends, as needed, and other incidentals.

The application opens October 20 and closes December 1, 2021.  Semifinalists will be selected for interviews with final notifications made by in mid-December. To apply, please visit https://legacyintl.org/odylp-on-climate-change/.

Questions? Please email ylp@legacyintl.org