What is the Arctic Youth Ambassadors Program?
The Arctic Youth Ambassadors program brings together diverse youth ages 18-22 from across Alaska to serve as ambassadors for their communities and country by building awareness at home and abroad about their lives in the Arctic. Younger generations play an important role in shaping the Arctic, and with their expertise, they help us address challenges that the Arctic (and the world) face, such as environmental changes and extreme weather events, mental health, and food security issues.  The Arctic Youth Ambassadors are a group of knowledgeable youth from across the state of Alaska who understand the Arctic and its people, and have the ability to create awareness and make change on a local, national, and global scale. Ambassadors share their local perspective on Arctic issues and priorities and gain new knowledge by engaging with partners, peers, and leaders from around the world. They add their voices and solutions to a global conversation about how to sustain communities, cultures, and the environment in the Arctic.

History of the Program:
The Arctic Youth Ambassadors program was launched in 2015 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Department of State, and non-profit partner Alaska Geographic. The initial cohort served from 2015-2017, concurrent to the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council with a focus in network building, creating awareness around climate change, and the role that youth hold in policy making and the future. The second cohort served from 2018-2019, concurrent with the U.S. Chairmanship of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) working group of the Arctic Council, and held a focus on biodiversity and other Arctic issues. The third cohort served virtually in 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, hosted by the Alaska Conservation Foundation in partnership with the USFWS and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The fourth (2023-2024) and fifth cohort (2025-2026) was led by the same core partners, with an additional grant from the Denali Commission secured by fourth cohort members that will continue to create opportunities for the sixth cohort. The previous cohorts created and maintained a wide network of supporters of Arctic youth and partnerships have grown to include additional nonprofits, businesses, and organizations directly involved with Arctic issues.

The Sixth Cohort (2027-2028):
Ambassadors for the upcoming cohort will participate in a variety of in-person and virtual programs and projects in Alaska and with other Arctic nations, and are expected to:

• participate in orientation programming, with some virtual sessions beginning in December 2026 and an in-person summit in Anchorage January 16-18, 2027;

• share stories from Alaska about their culture, lifestyles, and the changing Arctic through local and national media;

• attend Arctic-related trainings and seminars; 

• participate in exchanges between rural and urban communities, with the possibility of National Wildlife Refuge visits and international exchanges;

• participate in meetings and professional conferences that are expected to require travel within and outside of Alaska;

• participate in virtual video-based meetings, trainings, and events; and

• attend a cohort culmination event in late May or early June 2028 (dates TBD by cohort)

For accepted applicants there is no tuition or fee to participate and all expenses will be covered by the program.

Experiences will vary for each participant, but all members will participate in a community-building Arctic Youth Ambassadors Orientation Summit in Anchorage in January 2027 and a Culminating Celebration in late May or early June of 2028. Individual Ambassadors will be involved in a range of different projects and events based on their interests. There may be opportunities for regional, national, and international travel. Additionally, Arctic Youth Ambassadors will document their experiences through social media or other creative means, such as blogs or videos, in order to share their stories and experiences as an Ambassador with their community and beyond. What Ambassadors get out of the program truly depends on what they put into it. Applicants can view a list of program components in the application, and learn more about the activities of past AYAs on the Arctic Youth Ambassadors Facebook page or the Arctic Youth Ambassadors website.