We are happy to announce that the applications for the 14^th Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF) are now open! Young BSF is a participant-driven platform where bright young minds from around the world come together to share ideas and find inspiration to improve their communities.

We are inviting ambitious young professionals working in a broadly defined field of international politics to apply by 27 April 2025. All the relevant information can be found on the Young BSF website.

About Young BSF 2025

Under the title ‘What values?’ Young BSF 2025 will explore the intersection of values and world politics. Our aim is to better understand the fundamental drivers of international politics at the personal, professional and institutional levels by explicating our individual belief systems and juxtaposing those with the values that guide our actions on the global stage. For more information on the content please refer to the concept note that you can find on the website.

The programme of the Young BSF 2025 will take place from 29 to 31 August 2025 in Pokljuka, Slovenia, with participants arriving on 28 August. Following the conclusion of the Young BSF programme, the Young BSF participants will attend the 20th Bled Strategic Forum in Bled on 1 and 2 September.

Who can apply?

The Young Bled Strategic Forum participants are promising, curious and proactive young professionals aged 18–35. They are leaders and practitioners in the broadly defined field of world politics, with overlapping educational backgrounds, professional interests and career paths. They are young people driven by a commitment to creating a positive impact.

Why should you apply?

• To explore the main theme of Young BSF and source ground-up solutions for select contemporary challenges in collaboration and in discussion with other participants and world-renowned experts.
• Attend a three-day Young Bled Strategic Forum tailor-made programme with insightful discussions and engaging workshops in Pokljuka and then participate at the Bled Strategic Forum international conference – the leading conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
• Hang out with and befriend some 40 thought-provoking, up-and-coming, interesting, ambitious, and diverse young leaders from all over the world.
• Because the attendance is free, and all the costs of your participation are covered by us! Young Bled Strategic Forum is possible because of donations and funds from generous partners and sponsors. This way we can enable participation to whomever, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Participant selection process

The applications are now open and will remain open until 27 April. As the conference is participant-driven, we aim to select a gender-balanced group of individuals who will bring diverse and informed perspectives to the discussions. Participants will be selected from all continents, representing a variety of worldviews, educational backgrounds, and professional experiences.