Call for Applications: 2026 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads

Are you a storyteller, filmmaker or heritage enthusiast? Would you like to discover the Silk Roads through your own perspective, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools?

UNESCO has announced an open call for the 2026 International Youth Forum (IYF) on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads.

This year, the call is looking for creative professionals and creators who are ready to collaborate and explore innovative ways of interpreting and presenting cultural heritage, including through the responsible use of AI.

Theme: Youth-led Creative Expression of Heritage in the Age of AI

Organisers: UNESCO, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, and the Municipal Governments of Changsha and Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

Location: Changsha and Nanjing, China

Dates: 15–20 November 2026

Who can apply:

. You must be aged between 18 and 32 to apply

. Be willing to learn and apply UNESCO’s “Youth Lens” approach to storytelling and communication

. Integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal the beauty and innovation of local heritage

. Collaborate in international and intercultural teams

How to apply

Submit your application (including your video portfolio) through the official portal, available here.

Application deadline: 27 September 2026, at 23:59 (Beijing time / UTC+8)

Find out more about the IYF here.

More information about the open call here.