Call for Applications: EU-India Young Leaders Exchange Programme 2025-26

This programme will bring together 20 outstanding young leaders (10 from India and 10 from European Union Member States) under the age of 35 to engage in structured dialogue, share perspectives, and co-develop youth-led policy recommendations on key global challenges.   

Through a series of interactive policy labs, workshops, and thematic discussions, participants will engage directly with government officials, diplomats, think-tank researchers, and industry experts on pressing global policy themes, including:

• Democracy in the Digital Age

• Climate Action and Green Transition

• Inclusive Growth and Social Equity

• Geopolitics and Global Governance

The initiative will foster cross-border partnerships, learning, innovation, and leadership. It will reinforce the EU’s commitment to building a dynamic EU-India relationship and empowering youth to shape a sustainable and inclusive future.     

 Eligibility Criteria      

• Citizen of an EU Member State or of India.

• Aged under 35 years on the date of application.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and demonstrated interest in cooperation between individual EU Member States and India, in a relevant field such as public policy, political science, international relations, economics, development studies, social sciences, or related disciplines. Note: This aspect will be evaluated during the assessment process.

• Postgraduate qualification is desirable but not mandatory, if compensated by relevant professional (including internship) or leadership experience. 
  Note: Age will be considered when assessing relevant experience.

• Relevant experience in public policy, diplomacy, international relations, research, civic engagement, or social innovation through internships, voluntary work, professional assignments, or research projects.

• Focus on EU-India cooperation demonstrated through studies, research, internships, or work projects.

• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).

• International, research, or public speaking experience is an advantage.

• Availability to participate in all programme activities and online sessions between February and April 2026.

Note: 
The programme strongly encourages applications from individuals of all genders, abilities, ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. The programme will ensure support for selected candidates with specific needs, such as sign language interpretation or live captioning. While meeting all eligibility criteria is preferred, exceptions may be made/priority given to candidates who demonstrate leadership potential, commitment to EU-India relations, and the ability to contribute constructively to policy discussions.     

The selection process will uphold the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring balanced representation in terms of region (EU/India), gender identity, and professional and cultural background.      

Why Apply?

• Gain exposure to EU-India policymaking processes and strategic partnership building.

• Collaborate with peers from diverse professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds.

• Co-create policy recommendations to be presented to EU and Indian policymakers.

• Join the EU-India Young Leaders Network and become part of a growing community of changemakers.

• Contribute to shaping a sustainable and inclusive EU-India partnership.

Participation in the programme is entirely free of cost.
There are no fees for application or participation at any stage.

Programme Format and Duration

The 2025-26 edition will be conducted entirely online, ensuring equal access for participants across all regions.     

The programme will include 10 interactive sessions across three thematic areas - between January and April 2026, featuring expert-led workshops, thematic dialogues, and collaborative policy labs, guided by senior experts from both the EU and India.

Programme timeline:

• Mid-November 2025: Launch of the open call and application period

• 7 December 2025, 23:59 IST: Application deadline

• 8 December 2025 – 10 January 2026: Selection of 20 participants (10 from the EU Member States and 10 from India)

• January – February 2026: Programme design and setup 

• March – April 2026: Online policy labs, workshops, and thematic discussions

     
Participation in all scheduled sessions is mandatory. The virtual meeting dates will be communicated well in advance to help selected candidates plan their availability accordingly.

Note: 
Participants may be featured in EU Delegation visibility materials, such as website articles, social media posts, or video highlights, to showcase youth engagement in EU-India relations. Applicants’ consent for this will be obtained as part of the application process.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials through the link below:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) – maximum 2 pages, in Europass or EuropeAid format

2. Cover letter – maximum 1 page (2,500 characters with spaces), outlining your motivation and areas of interest in EU-India relations.     

3. Video statement – a one-minute video explaining why you would like to participate in the programme and how it aligns with your professional or academic goals

4. (Optional) Professional profile – include a link to your LinkedIn profile, organisation’s Who is Who, or similar.

To apply, please use the following link: https://events.eprd.pl/pcd-india/eu-india-young-leaders-exchange-programme-2025-26/ 

Application Deadline: 7th December 2025, 23:59 IST

Note: Applications will be jointly reviewed by representatives of the EU Delegation to India and the programme’s expert team. Due to the expected high number of applications, individual feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

For any clarifications or questions, please contact: euindia.youngleaders@eprd.pl