CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS – Unmasking Industry Influence: Empowering Youth for Sustainable Health

  • Location: Timișoara, Romania
  • Arrival: 12 October 2026
  • Training days: 13–17 October 2026
  • Departure: 18 October 2026
  • Participants: 20 from CoE Member states
  • Age: 18–30
  • Working language: English
  • Participation fee: None

Apply by 13 September 2026

APPLY NOW

Join us for a five-day international training course in Timișoara, Romania! We’ll explore how commercial industries influence youth health, everyday choices and public policy, and how young people can respond.

What is the training about?

Besides our individual choice, our health is also shaped by our social and physical environments and the commercial actors that seek to influence them. Industries can affect what we consume, how we understand health, and which public policies are adopted through marketing, lobbying, misleading information, and other strategies.

At the training, 20 young people from across Europe will examine these influences, particularly in relation to nutrition and physical health. We will explore different behavioural approaches to health, learn to recognize harmful industry tactics and consider how youth-led advocacy can support the right to health and a sustainable environment.

The goal of the training is for participants to strengthen critical-thinking, communication and advocacy skills, and to create an educational game that can even be used with other young people after the training!

Programme

Over five training days, participants will, through interactive simulations, storytelling, group work, discussions, and reflections, cover the following topics:

  • Explore the connections between youth health, sustainability and industry influence
  • Examine tactics such as marketing, lobbying and misleading information
  • Consider how behavioural and environmental factors shape health-related choices
  • Develop advocacy, communication and teamwork skills
  • Learn the basics of educational game design
  • Co-create and present a youth-friendly educational game
  • Develop ideas for using the game and their new knowledge in their communities

Who can apply?

We are looking for young people, youth leaders, youth workers, educators, and young advocates who:

  • are between 18 and 30 years old;
  • live in a Council of Europe member state;
  • can work and communicate in English;
  • are interested in youth health, sustainability, industry influence or advocacy;
  • are curious, motivated and willing to contribute actively;
  • are available for all five training days; 
  • would like to use what they learn in their organization or local community.

Previous experience in health, youth work or non-formal education is welcome, but it is not required.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM PARTICIPANTS?

Participants should be ready to take an active part in the programme and contribute to the development of an educational game. During the training, you will develop ideas and a plan for using the game and your new knowledge in your community. You are encouraged and will be supported by YHO to put these ideas into practice.

Costs and Accommodation

This training is funded by the European Youth Foundation and YHO, so there is no cost for participants. We will cover:

  • accommodation in shared rooms from 12 to 18 October 2026 at IBIS Timișoara City Center hotel
  • meals provided as part of the programme, from dinner on the arrival day to breakfast on the departure day
  • training sessions, materials and planned programme activities
  • travel tickets as described below

Travel

YHO will reimburse eligible travel expenses based on the actual amount paid. Participants should choose the most economically reasonable travel option. Before purchasing any tickets, the proposed route, means of transport and estimated cost must be approved by YHO by email.

Please keep all tickets, invoices, receipts and boarding passes, as they will be required for reimbursement. Reimbursement cannot be guaranteed for travel booked without prior approval or without the required documentation. Selected participants will receive detailed booking and reimbursement instructions after the selection process.

How to Apply?

Complete the online application form in English by 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

All applicants will be informed of the selection results by 16 September 2026. Selected participants will be asked to confirm their participation and book travel tickets promptly after receiving YHO approval. If a selected applicant does not confirm by the stated deadline, their place may be offered to someone on the reserve list.

Please do not purchase any travel tickets until you have received confirmation of your selection and written approval of your travel arrangements from YHO.

APPLY NOW

All applicants will be informed of the selection results by 16 September 2026. Selected participants will be asked to confirm their participation and book travel tickets promptly after receiving YHO approval. If a selected applicant does not confirm by the stated deadline, their place may be offered to someone on the reserve list.

Please do not purchase any travel tickets until you have received confirmation of your selection and written approval of your travel arrangements from YHO.

Selection and group composition

A total of 20 participants will be selected. To ensure the international character of the training, the final group will include participants from at least seven Council of Europe member states.

Selection will be based on eligibility, motivation, interest in the topic, willingness to participate actively, and geographical and gender balance.

We will confirm your selection by September 16, after which you will be expected to book your tickets.

Inclusion, Accessibility and Safety

We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment. We encourage applications from young people from different backgrounds.

In the application form, you will be able to indicate any accessibility requirements, dietary needs or alternative learning formats you may need. This information will be treated confidentially and used to discuss suitable arrangements.

Contact

If you have any questions about the application, accessibility or practical arrangements, please contact us at zala.kenda@yho.network.

Organizer and funding

This training is organized in the framework of the International Youth Health Organization’s project Unmasking Industry Influence: Empowering Youth for Sustainable Health, supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.