Youth Impact Camp 2027, Romania | Fully Funded

Most people who care about the world’s problems never get a room full of others who care just as much. This February, 200 young changemakers will share one.

Youth Impact Camp 2027 (YIC) runs 4-7 February 2027 in Ploiești, Romania. It is co-organised with MasterPeace Romania and run by Echo Change. The camp looks at the world through the Sustainable Development Goals, from climate action and quality education to peace, equality and innovation. The aim is to get you from “I have an idea” to “here is my plan”.

The application deadline is 8 November 2026, so you have days, not weeks. Here is what you need to know before you apply.

What Is Youth Impact Camp?

YIC is a four-day camp built on one belief: learning should take you past what you already know. You step out of your comfort zone, swap perspectives with people from other countries and work on real challenges through the SDG framework.

The organisers report that the programme has reached:

• 2,400+ young changemakers
• 61+ countries represented
• 120+ SDG projects launched
• 100+ expert mentors

These figures come from the organisers’ site, and the series has run camps and summits in Malaysia, Thailand and Australia since April 2025.

Key Details at a Glance

• Event: Youth Impact Camp 2027
• Dates: 4-7 February 2027
• Location: Ploiești, Romania
• Organisers: Echo Change, co-organised with MasterPeace Romania
• Total places: 200 (10 Fully Funded, 20 Partially Funded, 170 Self-Funded)
• Age range: 16-45 (up to 55 for Self-Funded and Camp Access)
• Application deadline: 8 November 2026, 11:59 PM Colorado time
• Application fee (funded categories): USD 19.99
• Language: English, with no IELTS or TOEFL required

Why Romania?

Most youth camps default to the big capitals. Ploiești gives you something different. It’s a Romanian city with its own character, and the programme includes time to explore its cultural and metropolitan side. The partnership with MasterPeace Romania means the camp has a local peacebuilding and youth network behind it, not just a visiting team.

What Four Days Look Like

Day 1: Basecamp. Delegates arrive from different countries and backgrounds. Orientation, introductions and ice-breakers help you meet people quickly.

Day 2: Exploring & Challenging the SDGs. Keynotes, fireside chats and workshops on climate action and sustainable development, followed by time to explore the host city.

Day 3: Building Skills for Sustainability. Workshops, youth-led simulations and collaboration through the SDG Action Lab. The day ends with a Cultural Night, where delegates share their own cultures through music, dance and performance.

Day 4: Initiating Change. The Voices from 2030 Youth Panel, changemaker presentations and a concluding speech, followed by certificates and awards.

The Themes and Work Areas

• SDGs Action
• Climate Change
• Technology Innovation
• Human Rights
• Cultural Exchange

The six work areas are sustainable development, climate and environment, innovation and technology, peace, inclusion and human rights, entrepreneurship and social impact, and global citizenship and leadership.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

• Aged 16 to 45. The Self-Funded and Camp Access categories accept applicants up to 55.
• Open to all countries and backgrounds
• No IELTS or TOEFL required
• Open to students, volunteers, graduates and professionals
• Youth activists, social entrepreneurs, researchers, UN and NGO representatives, diplomats and SDG advocates are all welcome
• No specific degree required

Requirements

• Submit your application by 8 November 2026, 11:59 PM Colorado time
• Pay the USD 19.99 application fee for the funded scholarship. It’s non-refundable and is paid by debit or credit card through Stripe.
• Be available in Ploiești for the full 4-7 February 2027 programme
• Write a strong personal statement. The selection panel reviews it.
• You don’t need a passport at the application stage, but you need a valid one by February to get a visa.
• Sort out your own Romanian visa. The organisers provide an invitation letter, but they can’t guarantee approval.
• Check everything before you submit. Plan on no edits afterwards.

Benefits of Attending

• Accommodation and meals during the camp for funded and Self-Funded delegates
• A four-day SDG leadership programme, not a lecture series
• Global SDGs Leadership Certificate plus a participation certificate
• A comprehensive SDG toolkit
• Official visa invitation letter
• Cultural Night showcasing global diversity
• UN and INGO career-pathway guidance
• Connections with global leaders and changemakers
• Exclusive YIC merchandise
• Mentors from the wider Echo Change network, including past leaders from organisations such as the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNICEF, UN University and the Institute for Economics & Peace

Four Ways to Join

1. Fully & Partially Funded Scholarships: USD 19.99 (application fee)

All funded applicants use one application form. The top 10 applicants get fully funded places and the next 20 get partially funded places.

• Fully Funded covers round-trip airfare, 3 nights’ shared accommodation, airport transfers, meals during camp hours, the certificate, the toolkit, the invitation letter and full access
• Partially Funded covers the same, without airfare

2. Self-Funded: USD 800 (confirmed slot)

• 3 nights’ shared accommodation
• Meals during camp hours
• Global SDGs Leadership Certificate and toolkit
• Official visa invitation letter
• Full access and exclusive YIC merchandise
• You arrange and pay for international airfare and airport transfers

3. Camp Access: USD 600 (confirmed slot)

• Entry to camp sessions
• Meals during camp hours
• Global SDGs Leadership Certificate and toolkit
• Exclusive YIC merchandise
• No airfare, accommodation or airport transfers

4. Invitation Letter: USD 99.99

• Official invitation letter
• Option to upgrade any time
• The amount you paid is credited toward Self-Funded or Camp Access
• Non-refundable regardless of visa outcome, and no guarantee of approval

How Selection Works

A panel of mentors from around the world reviews funded applications. They look at:

• Motivation and personal statement
• Alignment with the UN SDGs
• Involvement in sustainable development
• Evidence of previous impact
• Regional, cultural and professional diversity

Link-based evidence helps. Share a portfolio, a project page or a social post that shows what you’ve actually done.

Missed Out on a Scholarship?

You can still go. If you aren’t selected, you can buy the Self-Funded or Camp Access package and get the same privileges as every other participant.

Tips for a Stronger Application

• Apply early. The deadline is 8 November, and the page asks you not to wait for the last day.
• Pick one SDG you care about and explain what you’ve done about it, not just why it matters.
• Show proof. Links, projects and results beat claims.
• Write like yourself. Panels read a lot of applications that all sound the same.
• Check your details before submitting. Applications can’t be edited.

Common Questions

Who can apply?
Anyone aged 16-45 (up to 55 for Self-Funded and Camp Access) from any country.

How many places are there?
200: 10 Fully Funded, 20 Partially Funded and 170 Self-Funded.

Is the application fee refundable?
No. The USD 19.99 fee is non-refundable. Other categories have their own fee and refund terms.

Do I need a passport to apply?
Not at the application stage, but get one before February or you won’t be able to get a visa.

Does YIC help with visas?
Yes, through an invitation letter and guidance. Approval isn’t guaranteed.

How do I pay?
By debit or credit card through Stripe.

Who do I contact?
hello@youthimpactcamp.org or WhatsApp +1 (720) 575-4580.

Should You Apply?

If you want a funded way into an SDG-focused youth camp, this one has a clear structure, a global mentor network and a realistic path whichever way you apply. Ten people get fully funded places, 20 get partial funding, and the other 170 places are open to anyone who pays.

The deadline is 8 November 2026. If a scholarship is your goal, start your personal statement now.

Questions? Email hello@youthimpactcamp.org.