Once a year, young people from across the world gather in Chandigarh to do something quietly radical: to believe that peace is built, not wished for. This year, YUVA Mauritius is forming Team Mauritius 2026 to stand among them. We are looking for young Mauritians with conviction, courage, and a cause they care about, ready to carry our island’s voice to a global stage. The 19th Global Youth Peace Fest takes place from 30 September to 2 October 2026, closing on Gandhi Jayanti, the International Day of Non-Violence. If you have ever wanted to turn your concern for the world into action, this is your moment, and your application starts below.

What is the Global Youth Peace Fest?

The Global Youth Peace Fest (GYPF) is the flagship annual gathering of Yuvsatta (Youth for Peace), India, bringing together young leaders, educators, and changemakers from around the world to build dialogue, leadership, and collective action rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s values of non-violence, truth, equality, and service. The 19th edition runs from 30 September to 2 October 2026 in Chandigarh, India’s celebrated green “peace city”.

YUVA Mauritius is a proud festival partner, and we are now opening the doors for young Mauritians to join the journey.

The Mauritian delegation will be led by Dr Krishna Athal, Executive Director of YUVA.

This year’s theme, and the three causes you can champion

GYPF 2026 carries the theme “Youth Leading Change: Gender Equality, HIV Awareness, and Living in Harmony with People and Planet.” The festival is built around three causes, and we want our delegates to come with a clear sense of which one moves them most:

1. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: equal opportunity, young women in leadership, and engaging men and boys as allies.
2. HIV Awareness and the #BreakFree Initiative: ending stigma, youth-led prevention, and honest conversation about a subject too often met with silence.
3. Living in Harmony with People and Planet: climate action, sustainable living, and the Gandhian principle of taking only what we need.

What you will experience in Chandigarh

Over three days, delegates take part in an inaugural ceremony and keynote, plenary panels, interactive leadership workshops, a youth innovation showcase, an HIV-awareness dialogue, a tree-plantation and nature restoration drive on Gandhi Jayanti, and the collective signing of the Chandigarh Youth Peace Declaration 2026. You will also present a 90-day community action plan, which is why we ask for the seed of your idea in your application. You leave with a global network, a participation certificate, and a story that stays with you.

Who we are looking for

This call is for young Mauritians who are ready to lead, not just attend. You should be:

1. Aged 18 to 30 and resident in Mauritius
2. Passionate about at least one of the three festival causes
3. Comfortable communicating in English
4. Holding a valid passport (or able to obtain one in time)
5. Able to self-fund your airfare, visa, insurance, and registration fee (see costs below)
6. Willing to attend pre-departure briefings, represent Mauritius with maturity, and bring your learning home

Prior activism is welcome but not required. What matters most is sincerity, energy, and a cause you are willing to work for.

What it costs, and what is covered

We believe in full transparency, so here is the honest picture before you apply.

Paid by you to the host (Yuvsatta): USD 200 per person on twin sharing, or USD 400 for single occupancy. This fee covers airport pickup and drop in Chandigarh, two nights’ accommodation, all three daily meals, local travel as per the programme, your participation certificate, and the GYPF souvenir.

Self-funded by you: your return international airfare from Mauritius to Chandigarh (book early for the best price; YUVA will advise on routing and may coordinate a group booking), your India entry visa, travel insurance, personal spending money, and any additional nights if your flight timings require an early arrival or late departure.

A note on the visa: Mauritian nationals apply online for an India e-Tourist Visa through the official Government of India portal at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa, a minimum of four days before arrival, with a passport valid for at least six months beyond travel. YUVA will guide selected delegates through this step.

YUVA’s role is to select, prepare, coordinate, and lead the delegation. We do not finance individual travel, and we say so plainly so there are no surprises.

Key dates

1. Applications open: 1 July 2026
2. Applications close: 31 July 2026
3. Shortlisting and interviews: 4 to 8 August 2026
4. Team Mauritius announced: 11 August 2026
5. Registration and flight booking: by 22 August 2026
6. Travel to Chandigarh: 29 to 30 September 2026

How to apply

Mauritius has a voice. We are looking for the young people ready to carry it to the world.

Read the details above carefully, make sure you are ready for the commitment, and complete the application form below before 31 July 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short conversation with the YUVA team.