Applications are now open for the UN Women Young Feminist AI School 2026, a free 12-week online programme designed to equip young changemakers with practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills for advocacy, civic engagement, and policy influence.
The programme, which runs from August to October 2026, is open to young people aged 18 to 30 worldwide, with at least 70% of available places reserved for young women and girls.
Participants will learn how to responsibly use AI to advance gender equality, strengthen democratic participation, influence public policy, combat misinformation, and develop civic technology solutions. No prior coding or technical experience is required.
Practical AI Training for Social Impact
Unlike traditional online courses, the Young Feminist AI School emphasizes hands-on learning from the very first week. Participants will spend each session experimenting with AI tools, developing effective prompts, testing ideas, and building projects that address real-world challenges.
By the end of the programme, every participant will complete one graduation project, choosing to develop:
- An AI-powered advocacy campaign
- A policy influence tool
- A civic technology prototype
- A democratic participation action plan
Each project will undergo a responsible AI and human rights review to ensure it meets standards on privacy, consent, bias mitigation, verification, and human oversight before it is shared publicly.
Who Should Apply?
The programme welcomes applications from young people working or interested in:
- Gender equality
- Youth leadership
- Civic engagement
- Human rights advocacy
- Social justice
- Digital rights
- Student leadership
- Civic technology
Applicants do not need a technical or programming background, as the curriculum begins with AI fundamentals before progressing to practical applications using no-code and low-code tools.
Programme Schedule
The fully online programme runs over 12 weeks from August to October 2026.
Participants should expect to dedicate approximately four hours per week, including:
- One two-hour live online session
- Around two hours of practical assignments
All sessions will be recorded, allowing participants to catch up if they miss a class.
Accessibility Support
To ensure broad participation, the programme offers several accessibility features, including:
- Recorded sessions
- Closed captions
- Screen-reader-friendly materials
- Plain-language summaries
- Low-bandwidth learning resources
Classes will be conducted in English, and applicants can indicate additional accessibility needs during the application process.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee based on several factors, including:
- Commitment to gender equality
- Interest in civic participation and policy
- Motivation to learn
- Potential impact of the proposed project
- Leadership potential
- Geographic and intersectional diversity
- Availability for the full programme
- Commitment to safeguarding principles
The organisers also aim to create a diverse global cohort representing different regions and backgrounds.
Application Deadline
Applications for the UN Women Young Feminist AI School 2026 close on 28 July 2026.
Young leaders passionate about using AI to drive social change are encouraged to apply before the deadline and join a global community of feminist innovators shaping more inclusive and democratic digital futures.
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