The 3rd Global MAB Youth Forum, organised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, brought together more than 200 young participants from 142 countries in Po Delta Biosphere Reserve, Italy, under the theme “Committed to the Future We Want.” The Forum focused on biodiversity conservation, climate action, sustainable development, and strengthening youth participation within UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
During the Forum, Alba Bonàs from the MedMAB Network and Núria Pou from UNESCOMED participated in the plenary session on “Fundraising, Resource and Partnership Mobilisation”, contributing to the discussion on how public - private partnerships and Biosphere Reserve networks can create stronger opportunities for youth participation, international cooperation, and access to funding mechanisms.
UNESCOMED also reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment by supporting the participation of five young Mediterranean representatives in the Forum through scholarships provided by Abertis Foundation. This initiative enabled young participants of Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves to engage in international dialogue, exchange experiences, and contribute directly to shaping the future of the UNESCO MAB Youth Network.
Empowering Young Leaders through Scholarships
To ensure broad and inclusive participation, the Abertis Foundation provided funding for five scholarships that enabled young representatives from Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves to attend the 3rd MAB Youth Forum. The scholarship scheme was coordinated by UNESCOMED, which designed and implemented a transparent and standardised selection process based on clear eligibility criteria, ensuring equal opportunities and broad representation across the MedMAB reserves.
From left to right: Arnau Pou (Terres de l’Ebre BR), Yassine Ouha (Intercontinental BR del Mediterraneo), Lara Kanso (Shouf BR), Diego Álvarez (Alto Bernesga), Helios Muñoz (Sierra de las Nieves) and Núria Pou (UNESCOMED).
The initiative provided support to five young people, aged between 18 and 35, from the Shouf, Terres de l’Ebre, Alto Bernesga and Sierra de las Nieves Biosphere Reserves, as well as the Intercontinental Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve. They were able to participate actively in the debates and discussions held at the Forum, ensuring that the Mediterranean perspective was reflected in the outcomes that will guide the youth action of UNESCO’s MAB Programme over the next ten years.
These five youths highlighted the experience as transformative, providing new knowledge, inspiration, and practical tools to strengthen their contribution to sustainable development within their Biosphere Reserves and local communities.
Shaping the Future of Youth Engagement in the MAB Programme
The Forum represented a major milestone for youth engagement within the UNESCO MAB Programme. Building on previous editions held in 2017 and 2019, the 2026 edition aimed to strengthen the role of youth in implementing the new Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for UNESCO’s MAB Programme and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2026–2035).
The main outcomes of the Forum were the preparation of a new youth declaration and a roadmap designed to guide future youth participation and action within the MAB Programme. These outputs seek to strengthen youth representation in governance processes, promote international collaboration, foster innovation in Biosphere Reserves, and support concrete local actions addressing biodiversity loss, climate resilience, and community well-being.
Through their participation, MedMAB and UNESCOMED reaffirm their shared commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders working towards socio-ecological resilience, sustainable development, and international cooperation across the Mediterranean and beyond.
8 October 2026
The International University Campus for Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves brings together students and researchers at Castellet Castle
30 September 2026
Italy’s Monte Peglia UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve joins the MedMAB network, bringing the network to 73 Biosphere Reserves.
28 September 2026
· At the III Spanish Congress of Biosphere Reserves, the La Siberia–La Palma Strategic Action Plan 2026–2035 for the Spanish Network was approved.
· UNESCOMED participates in the congress showing how Mediterranean cooperation boosts resilience.
· La Siberia, host of the congress, shows how the designation as a Biosphere Reserve is an opportunity for the territory.
