Kranjska Gora, 28 August 2026

The international order is changing – and the next generation will have a say in what comes after it. From 28 to 30 August, 43 young professionals from around the world will gather in Kranjska Gora for the 15th edition of the Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF).

Held under the theme After the Rupture: Agency and Resilience in a Fragmented World, this year’s Forum will explore how a new generation of diplomats, civil servants, researchers, entrepreneurs and civil society leaders can respond to an increasingly complex and contested international environment. Over three days, participants will explore some of the key challenges shaping today’s international environment, including democratic resilience, disinformation and emerging technologies, critical raw materials, and the future of the Euro-Atlantic order. Through interactive workshops and policy-oriented discussions, they will be encouraged not only to exchange perspectives, but also to develop concrete ideas and recommendations. The living lab for policy innovation will be one of the programme’s key highlights, offering participants a rare opportunity to contribute ideas and guidance to an ongoing political process linked to reconciliation and normalisation. In this way, Young BSF places young people not simply in the role of observers, but as active contributors to the debates and processes shaping the future.

The strength of Young BSF also lies in the broad network of partners behind it. More than 10 organisations and institutions from Slovenia and abroad support this year’s Forum through programme cooperation, expert contributions and financial support, helping create a diverse and ambitious programme for the next generation of leaders.

Following the programme in Kranjska Gora, Young BSF participants will join the Bled Strategic Forum on 31 August and 1 September, bringing their perspectives and ideas into the wider international conversation in Bled.

Young Bled Strategic Forum is organised by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in cooperation with the Bled Strategic Forum.

Applications for the Young Bled Strategic Forum 2026 are now open until 26 April.

We’re looking for young professionals (18–35) from diverse backgrounds — policy, security, tech, business, civil society and beyond — who are curious, engaged, and ready to contribute to global discussions.

This year’s forum, titled “After the Rupture: Agency and Resilience in a Fragmented World” will focus on questions of agency and resilience in an increasingly complex and fragmented international environment. Participants will explore how individuals, institutions, and societies interpret global disruptions and how these interpretations shape their capacity to act.

Join a platform where you don’t just attend — you actively shape the conversation.

 

📍 Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

📅 28–30 August 2026

Applications for the 15th edition of the Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF) are now officially open.

Young BSF team is inviting ambitious young professionals working in the broadly defined field of international politics and related areas, aged between 18 and 35, to apply by 19 April 2026. We are looking for a group of diverse participants who bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, while ensuring gender balance and global representation. Information about the application process is available on the official Young BSF website. 

This year’s forum, titled “After the Rupture: Agency and Resilience in a Fragmented World” will focus on questions of agency and resilience in an increasingly complex and fragmented international environment. Participants will explore how individuals, institutions, and societies interpret global disruptions and how these interpretations shape their capacity to act.

Young BSF 2026 will take place in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, from 28 to 30 August. Following the programme, participants will also attend the Bled Strategic Forum, held in Bled on 31 August and 1 September.

Participation in the forum is fully funded, with all costs covered by the organisers. This ensures that equal participation of all individuals.