Foster peace by building bridges
between cultures
February 26-March 1, 2026
Your Big Year® is challenging young leaders across the world to build positive bridges between cultures! In fact, young leaders from 106 countries have already participated in seven virtual challenges!
If you want to create long-lasting friendships, learn new skills and make a real impact - then the Your Big Year® Global Citizens Challenge is for you! Our youth-led virtual event creates a transformative, and collaborative way to meet and work with peers worldwide. By participating, you will gain skills in digital collaboration, social impact, and cultural understanding, and learn about future career-building opportunities directly from professionals.
Apply for the Upcoming Challenge:
February 26-March 1, 2026 (15-20 year olds eligible):
What happens in the February event?
Penpal Discussions
Interactive group video calls with peers globally.
International Action Hub
Collaborative and interactive virtual activities on social impact.
Virtual Tours
Exclusive interactive tours from attractions in our host city.
Virtual Passports
Capture the people you meet globally.
Industry Speakers
Presentations and panel with industry professionals.
Certificates
Earn certificates and badges from participating in the Challenge.
Our participants are in every time zone around the world. Therefore, the event has been designed with flexibility. Participants join at all hours between school, work, and other commitments - and some have so much fun that they stay on 24/7!
Everyone loves our program
“Building global competency skills in our students is an important responsibility of all of us educators no matter what subject we teach. The fact that the Global Citizens Challenge is a perfect resource to have so many students participate and communicate with youth throughout the world.”
- Amy Bonnici, Teacher, Wheeler School, Rhode Island, USA
“The Global Citizens Challenge reignited my passion for world cultures, solidified my belief that meaningful connections can still be nurtured in virtual environments, and finally, invited me to join a vast network of committed global citizens.”
- Shamma, Student, United Arab Emirates
"Participating in a virtual space with youth from around the world was a beautiful experience. The platform provides a fantastic opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect, support each other, and receive guidance in pursuing their dreams. The session was highly interactive, and I found it particularly gratifying to hear that themes such as discovering purpose in work and prioritizing mental wellness held such significance in the room. It's encouraging to see that we are making progress in the right direction!"
- Sabrina Seminaro, Senior Director, Sales & Market Strategy at LOGE Camps
Meet our Senior Youth Leaders
Sarah, Algeria
Nathalia, Brazil
Camila, Mozambique
Who Should Apply?
The Global Citizens Challenge committee will select up to 200 young people to participate in each challenge:
February Challenge: 15-20 year olds including schools and classes.
The Committee is seeking self-driven, diverse individuals who bring passion, energy, and a desire to learn. We don’t judge by traditional credentials but by alignment with our values:
Passionate about making a change
Eager to learn about different cultures from peers with diverse backgrounds
Desire to meet and connect with a variety of people
Wish to grow as a young professional through an online experience
Aim to grow personally, gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and your community
Seek to make a meaningful impact in your life and the world!
For more information, please read our FAQs
Apply today
February Challenge application deadline: February 20, 2026