UN Ocean Conference Youth and Innovation Forum

Applications are closed. 

About the Event

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From June 24-26, 2022, the governments of Portugal and Kenya and the UN Global Compact will organize the UN Ocean Conference Youth and Innovation Forum, in cooperation with CEiiA, Cascais, Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE), SOA, and with support from UN DESA.

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The Forum is an opportunity for youth to contribute to the implementation of SDG 14 in alignment with the 2022 UN Ocean Conference theme: Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions. 

The Forum will be a platform for ocean action and implementing youth-led solutions at scale to address SDG 14 targets. The Forum will seek to advance and inspire interdisciplinary thinking to address ocean challenges.

Forum Objectives

  • Feature youth-led solutions that address 2020 SDG 14 targets and propel the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
  • Provide training, mentorship, investor connections, and networking within the public and private sectors to help young entrepreneurs and innovators scale their ideas and maximize impact
  • Highlight the importance of a science-driven approach to businesses and policies that propel ocean action and innovation
  • Engage young leaders as key drivers for change
  • Give youth the opportunity to contribute to the UN Ocean Conference political process by facilitating input to the eight interactive dialogues
  • Support youth participants in creating solutions to challenges around the 5 Tipping Points for a Healthy and Productive Ocean during the Innovathon 

Forum Location

The Forum will take place at the Nova School of Business & Economics in Cascais, Portugal from June 24-26, 2022.

For further questions, please visit the FAQ page linked below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Apply to Join the Forum

Applications are open until April 26, 2022.

Applicants must be ages 18-35 to be eligible to participate. The Forum prioritizes acceptance and funding for nominees from Developing Countries and Middle-Income Countries.

Note: please review the FAQs to find information about visa applications, travel, etc.

Participants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Background: the extent to which the nominee’s area of focus professionally, academically, or in his/her civic engagement is relevant to the SDG14 targets
  • Vision: the extent to which the nominee’s current work aligns with the goals and values of the youth forum
  • Ocean Impact: the amount of impact the nominee’s current and previous work has had on an area of the ocean sector. This will be evaluated in terms of number of people reached, geographic area covered, scale of operations, impact on legislation etc.
  • Scalability: can the nominee’s work be scaled to new audiences, geographies, or sectors
  • Leadership: the applicant must demonstrate examples of leadership through projects or initiatives and/or attendance at other major events and forums.

General Questions: Read the FAQ. 

For further questions not on the FAQ page, contact us here.

Media Inquiries: contact us here.

Forum Agenda


Morning: Free time to explore Cascais or nearby Lisbon

Afternoon: Live-streamed opening plenary