SDSN Youth Announces the 2026 Local Pathways Fellowship (LPF) Program Application Call
NEW YORK, N.Y.
SDSN Youth is pleased to open applications for the 2026 Local Pathways Fellowship (LPF). From 28th November 2025 to December 21st 2025, young urban innovators from around the world are invited to apply for a fellowship designed to help them reimagine and reshape the future of their cities.
New Cohort, A New Decade of Urban Possibility
Cities are at the center of today’s most pressing challenges-from climate resilience to housing, mobility, digital inclusion, public space, and community wellbeing. But they are also where some of the world’s most creative solutions are emerging.
The Local Pathways Fellowship supports young leaders who are ready to tackle these issues head-on. Rather than simply teaching concepts, LPF focuses on practical implementation, helping fellows turn local insights, community knowledge, and bold ideas into projects that can drive real, lasting impact.
As the world accelerates toward 2030, LPF’s mission remains clear: equip young people to lead sustainable urban transformation where it matters most, at the local level.
What Makes the 2026 Fellowship Unique?
The 2026 cohort will join a redesigned learning and collaboration experience that places stronger emphasis on:
Localized Problem-Solving
Fellows work on a challenge specific to their city, informed by community voices and grounded in real contexts.
Cross-City Collaboration
Opportunities to co-create with peers facing similar urban challenges, fostering shared learning across regions.
A Practical Learning Framework
Workshops, case studies, and tools that guide fellows from problem identification to project design, implementation, and measurement.
Mentorship With Practitioners
Guidance from experts working in urban innovation, design, policy, research, and grassroots organizing.
Project-Based Outcomes
By the end of the fellowship, each participant presents a refined project, proposal, or prototype aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is open to individuals aged 18–30 who are passionate about improving the cities they live in. Ideal applicants are:
Early-career professionals, students, or community organizers
Individuals with at least one year of experience in relevant fields (planning, policy, environment, design, mobility, public health, advocacy, etc.)
Leaders who have a clear idea or emerging initiative they want to develop
People who can commit 4–6 hours per week between March and December, 2026
Application Timeline
Applications Open: November 28th, 2025
Applications Close: December 21st, 2025
Notifications Sent: February 16, 2026
Program Begins: March 1st, 2026
Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/lpf-applications
About the Local Pathways Fellowship
The Local Pathways Fellowship is a flagship initiative of SDSN Youth dedicated to localizing the SDGs through youth-led action in cities. The program supports practical, community-rooted solutions that strengthen urban resilience and advance Sustainable Development Goal 11.
More information: www.localpathways.org
About SDSN Youth
SDSN Youth is a global network that empowers young people to lead sustainable development initiatives in their communities. By connecting youth with training, mentorship, and institutional support, SDSN Youth enables thousands of young leaders worldwide to accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
Learn more: www.sdsnyouth.org
Contact Information
For media inquiries:
Project Officer, Communications — Annette Kimani
For questions about the LPF application process:
program@localpathways.org or youth@unsdsn.org