22nd -25th November, Tahiti, French Polynesia

YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TAHITI 2026

How to Apply for the

Youth Leadership Summit Tahiti 2026

Follow these five simple steps to apply:

1. Become a PAYA Member
Sign up to be a member of the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. at paya.org.au/membership.
Only PAYA Members are eligible to attend the Summit.

2. Ask Someone to Nominate You
Find someone who can vouch for your leadership and contributions. This could be a teacher, employer, mentor, community leader or elder. They can submit a nomination for you at paya.org.au/summit/nomination.

3. Wait for Your Application Form
Once your nomination is received, PAYA will assess it and send you an official application form within 72 hours. You must complete the application form by the deadline of the 30th June 2026.

4. Outcome Notification
All applicants will receive an outcome two weeks after the closing date, by 14th July 2026.

5. Confirm Your Place
If successful, you’ll need to:
✔ Accept your offer
✔ Sign your Participation Agreement
✔ Pay the registration fee

Nomination Form

🌏 About the Summit

The Youth Leadership Summit is the flagship annual program of the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA), bringing together 40 emerging leaders aged 18–40 from across the Pacific and Australia. Hosted each November in a different Pacific Island country or territory, the Summit provides a unique opportunity for young people to build leadership skills, exchange ideas, strengthen regional networks, and collaborate on solutions to challenges facing their communities.

Since its launch in Nouméa, New Caledonia, in 2022, the Summit has grown into a recognised platform for youth engagement and regional cooperation. Each edition is shaped by the priorities, culture and context of the host country, creating meaningful opportunities for local youth voices to be heard while fostering connections across the Pacific.

In 2026, the Summit will be hosted in Tahiti, French Polynesia. Delegates will explore issues of importance to the region while learning from Tahitian culture, leadership and innovation. The program will showcase the perspectives, knowledge and aspirations of French Polynesian youth and create opportunities for collaboration on the opportunities and challenges shared across our Blue Pacific region.

The four-day Summit program combines leadership development, cultural exchange, networking and hands-on learning to create a memorable and practical experience for delegates.

In Tahiti, participants will:

  • Connect with fellow delegates through team-building activities and leadership exercises

  • Learn from Pacific leaders, entrepreneurs, public servants and community changemakers

  • Explore French Polynesia's history, culture, governance, and development priorities

  • Participate in workshops and discussions on issues affecting young people across the Pacific

  • Visit local organisations, institutions, and community initiatives

  • Experience a full-day cultural and networking excursion to Moorea island

  • Work in teams to develop solutions through the Group Project Challenge

  • Present their ideas and recommendations to community leaders, partners and stakeholders

  • Receive a PAYA Youth Leadership Summit Certificate and micro-credential recognising their participation

  • Become part of the PAYA Family, a growing network of young leaders across the Pacific and Australia

📅 Program Highlights

Draft Program

The Youth Leadership Summit aims to:

  • Strengthen regional connections, Pacific identity, and cross-cultural understanding among young people from across the region.

  • Develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and project management skills through practical and experiential learning.

  • Empower young people to identify challenges in their communities and design innovative, youth-led solutions.

  • Create opportunities for collaboration between delegates from diverse cultural, linguistic, and geographic backgrounds.

  • Expand access to mentorship, professional development, volunteering, and leadership pathways beyond the Summit itself.

  • Showcase the perspectives, experiences, and aspirations of Tahitian youth while encouraging greater regional cooperation and exchange.

  • Build a lasting network of emerging leaders committed to creating positive change across the Pacific and Australia.

  • Encourage delegates to translate ideas into action through community projects, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.

🎯 Objectives

đŸ’» Delegate Fees and Applications

The registration fee for international delegates from Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific Island countries and territories is AUD $2,999.

The international delegate fee includes:

  • Four nights of twin-share accommodation

  • Daily breakfast, plus all Summit lunches and dinners

  • Airport transfers within Tahiti

  • Private transport between Summit venues and activities

  • Entry fees and participation in all Summit activities

  • Summit materials and delegate resources

  • Participation in the Group Project Challenge

  • PAYA Youth Leadership Summit Certificate and micro-credential

International delegates are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own return flights, travel insurance, passport and visa requirements (where applicable), and any personal expenses incurred before, during, or after the Summit.

The registration fee for local delegates from French Polynesia is 20,000 XPF, which includes all meals, local transportation, Summit materials, and full participation in the Summit program and activities.

Applications

Participation in the Youth Leadership Summit Tahiti 2026 is competitive, with places allocated through a nomination and application process.

Prospective delegates must complete an online application outlining their leadership experience, community involvement, and interest in participating in the Summit.

Applications close on 30 June 2026.

Successful applicants will be notified following the selection process and invited to join a diverse cohort of young leaders from across the Pacific and Australia for the fifth edition of PAYA's Youth Leadership Summit.

Nomination Form

Delegate Testimonials

  • "Without this program, I would still doubt my potential. After the summit, I feel confident in myself and believe I can achieve my goals. This experience has been truly inspiring and life-changing."

    Honiara 2025

  • "Being part of PAYA was beyond empowering. I left the summit feeling enabled and reassured that youth all around the pacific are making waves and are active agents of positive and sustainable change.”

    Nauru 2024

  • "My experience attending the Youth Leadership Summit in Nuku'alofa was truly amazing. The summit brought together young, talented leaders from across the Australia-Pacific region, and provided us with an opportunity to connect and share our experiences and ideas."

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • “I feel extremely grateful to have been a part of PAYA Youth Leadership Summit 2024 and I hope for opportunities to return in the future. It was a great opportunity to connect with the vast cultural knowledge that was present and to empower each other to make a change in our communities.”

    Nauru 2024

  • "I had an incredible time during PAYA’s first ever Inaugural Youth Leadership Summit in Noumea. Not only did I get to make amazing connections with likeminded youths from all over the Pacific. I was also grateful for the discussion sessions PAYA organised with SPC and the Province Sud where we get to hear and discuss with fellow high achieving Pacific Islanders."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "Engaging with these young people has given me a second chance to be brave, stand up and do something to help our youth. It also gave me the opportunity to learn, listen, exchange ideas and build networks with other young people."

    Honiara 2025

  • "Overall the summit was great, interesting, and very educational. I learned a lot through the summit, which now put me in a better place to expand my reach and do more in the youth development space through my line of work. Big thank you to the PAYA core team for putting up this magnificent event. God bless everyone."

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "Participating in an event of this magnitude has made me aware of the opportunities that exist in our environment in all areas of development. This summit's goal is to bring together young people 
 to meet and learn about other cultures and territories. I express my gratitude and appreciation to the entire PAYA Summit team."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "Do it! If you want to immerse yourself in the Pacific while engaging with delegates from all over the region then this is the Summit for you!"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "Join The Youth Leadership Summit. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique experience of personal growth, cultural exchange, and community building, while connecting with inspiring young leaders from across the region."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "Hearing the stories of PAYA leaders gave me hope that despite the struggles I go through now, I can also find success and make a positive difference in my community."

    Honiara 2025

  • "Many thanks to all of you! You've motivated me to become a young leader in my community, and to inspire other young people to do the same. At first I didn't know anyone, but I came home with 42 more friends. I'm so grateful. Malo ‘aupito, Ofa atu"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "It was an absolutely amazing experience, I loved every minute of it. All the activities were so well-thought out and I got so much out of it."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "I realized that as an islander, there is a world of connections, experiences and projects right there, waiting to happen. I can't wait to keep exploring!"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "The PAYA conference is wonderful opportunity for those looking to dip their toes into working cross-culturally in the Pacific. I encourage those interested in Pacific work to apply, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because we need to play a larger role in the Pacific."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "PAYA feels like family to me. Even though it was only four days, we worked together, cared for each other and built genuine connections.""

    Honiara 2025

  • "The Youth Leadership Summit held in Nuku'alofa, Tonga in 2023, organized by PAYA, was an incredibly inspiring experience. I had the chance to connect with like-minded individuals from across the Australia-Pacific region and develop my leadership skills in a supportive environment. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what PAYA has in store for their future events!"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • “It was inspiring to see how the local team created such a youthful, engaging and informative summit that covered so many topics relevant to the pacific. The balance of indoor activities/sessions and outdoor activities was good. Although we covered a lot of important things during the sessions I never ended the day feeling drained. Having youth from different disciplines as well made it a more enriching experience to learn what each youth is doing back in their countries.”

    Nauru 2024

  • "The 2022 Summit brought together some of the best and brightest youth leaders from across the Pacific region. In attending, I gained unique insights, learned new skills, and created life-long friendships. I would strongly recommend applying for the Summit in 2023."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "The Summit enlightened me on how international youth organisations work and gave me the knowledge and confidence I need to implement projects that will benefit youth in my country."

    Honiara 2025

Next

📝 Delegate Nominations