The volunteer I4C26 Knowledge and Creative Delegates initiative brings together early-career researchers, students, and practitioners to document and share the ideas emerging from the conference. Delegates play an active role in sessions, in conversations, and in shaping how the conference communicates its outcomes.

One of the goals of the program is to amplify youth voices throughout I4C26. You will help enrich discussions on urban climate action through your presence in sessions, your questions from the floor, and hearing your perspective on what is being discussed. You are not here to just observe from the sidelines; you are an essential part of the Conference’s impact!

Why apply to be a knowledge and creative delegate?

• Opportunities to engage directly with global experts in fields at the city-climate nexus. 
• Credited recognition in outcomes reporting material. 
• A certificate of recognition, noting appreciation for your role in the I4C26 delegation.
• Participation in a career development session. 

The two Delegate streams

Delegates participate in one of two streams: Knowledge or Creative. Both streams attend sessions across the conference program and contribute to the shared outputs described below. The difference is in what you produce and how you engage.

1. Knowledge Delegate

You are assigned to sessions across the Conference program. You will capture the substance of each session, not a word-for-word transcript, but a clear, considered record of what was presented, what was questioned, and what emerged. You do not need to be a specialist in the track you are assigned to, just a careful listener and a clear writer. Sessions are primarily in English, with captioning provided. 

How you will contribute to the success of I4C26:

• By providing your daily written perspective for sessions you attend including a one-sentence takeaway per session.
• Sharing observations on themes or knowledge gaps that sessions spoke to.
• Have the chance to moderate and facilitate sessions, including introducing speakers, aiding in presentation transitions, and flagging technical issues.
• One post-conference reflection (300–500 words), that will directly contribute to the outcomes of I4C26.

 2. Creative Delegates

You are not expected to produce formal session notes, but you should have enough familiarity with the content to recognize when something significant is being said.

For Creative Delegates, amplifying the youth voice means making the perspectives of young people visible in the content you produce, the photographs you take, the voices you center in social posts, and the moments you choose to document. The research presented gets to be filtered through your voice and perspective.

How you will contribute to the success of I4C26:

• Sharing content including photographs, social media posts, short written scenes, visual notes or illustrations, audio or video clips
• Sharing your perspective (short if written, other media formats are encouraged and accepted) capturing one specific moment from the day. 
• Sharing social media content published on your profiles in addition to being shared with UN-Habitat and GCoM’s social media team for posting on their organization profiles (with your permission). 
• One post-conference reflection (300–500 words, or 1–2 pages of imagery), that will directly contribute to the outcomes of I4C26.

What you can expect from us: 

• A virtual induction session (1 hour, recorded) the week before the conference. 
• Access to a shared Google drive,  ‘I4C26 Delegates Hub,’ containing all templates, schedules, and content orientation notes. 
• Facilitation guidance for any sessions where you are the designated chair. 
• A group chat for real-time questions and coordination. 
• Daily refreshments and meals. 
• A designated point of contact for any issues on the ground, and check-ins and briefings as needed. 

How to apply: 

Apply by completing this form and submitting a short motivation note. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, closing on May 15.