U21 Global Citizens Programme 2026 – call for applications

A group of students with arms up in celebration, once is holding a laptop

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Summary

The U21 Global Citizens Programme will open for applications on 26 January 2026. In this blog, Kirsten and Humphrey, current students in our School, share their experiences from the 2025 programme.

The U21 Global Citizens Programme is a three-week scheme in which students participate in online workshops and independent activities to enhance their knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students at U21 member institutions, participants will join an international cohort, allowing them to engage with diverse networks and perspectives. Students will also gain a digital LinkedIn micro-credential for their participation.

The University of Edinburgh is a founder member of Universitas 21, and the 30 member institutions bring together over 1.3 million students.

Learn more about our partnership with Universitas 21

Student testimonials

School of GeoSciences students Kirsten McMellin and Humphrey Marsh, were part of the programme in 2025, and shared their experiences with us:

Kirsten McMellin (BSc Geography)

“I participated in the U21 Global Citizen’s programme in the spring semester of 2025 primarily due to my passion for sustainability and eagerness to expand my experience beyond the university setting. Completing this programme allowed me to develop a better understanding of how sustainability practices and methods are approached in other countries whilst also giving me an opportunity to speak to and learn from students internationally.

Completing this programme contributed to my academic growth as I was able to delve deeper into the nuances of the Sustainable Development Goals and apply them to different contexts globally, a skill that has been very transferable when analysing international policymaking for later degree essays.

I would recommend this programme to School of Geosciences students as it was a valuable experience for anyone with an interest in sustainability or global governance, and it also provides you with a certificate that can be used on LinkedIn, in your CV, and a great talking point for any future internship or job interviews.”

Humphrey Marsh (MA Geography)

“I was motivated to take part in the U21 Global Citizens Programme as the opportunity to discuss truly global issues with students from around the world seemed fantastic. It was the perfect forum to gather cultural insights from different backgrounds and understand how their values vary when it comes to an international scale of problem solving. The small discussion groups were a highlight of the programme as that is where ideas were tested and debated by students from all academic and cultural backgrounds. This required constructing robust arguments which withstood the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SGDs) biggest challenges.

One key skill which I have developed is a stronger ability to listen and appreciate others’ perspectives. This came from small discussion groups with a range of students, such as a doctor-in-training from Botswana to an aspiring teacher from Australia. The programme contributed to my academic growth through teaching me to be more critical of perspectives in global politics and the global economy. The UN’s 2030 SDGs are complex targets and therefore require an acknowledgment of a range of factors and cultural inputs.

I would recommend the U21 Global Citizens Programme as it provides an amazing opportunity to connect with students from a range of international universities. Additionally, I have joined a LinkedIn community for those who have completed the Global Citizenship Award, where we continue to share fascinating news articles from our chosen SDGs, and discuss pressing matters in the SDG network.”