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International cultural exchange for ages 16–45

Bring your
culture.
Meet the world.

YACE brings young people from every continent together in a different host country each time, for conferences, cultural events and fellowships built on heritage, performance and honest conversation.

See upcoming eventsAbout YACE
A group of young people from different backgrounds laughing together in front of a historic wooden door
A group of young people jumping for joy on the steps of a historic cathedralFully funded places
Fully funded scholarships

Experience the world, fully funded.

Our fully funded scholarships let you join international conferences and cultural experiences without the cost standing in your way, because the chance to live another culture shouldn't depend on what you can afford.

  • Visit

    Travel to a new host country. Depending on the programme, a fully funded place covers your stay, meals, programme and selected travel costs.

  • Explore

    Walk through the heritage sites, old quarters and landmarks that shaped the host city, with people who know their stories.

  • Experience

    Join workshops and performances, and share your own traditions on stage at culture night.

See open scholarships

Partially funded places are also offered. Each event page lists exactly what is covered.

What YACE does

What YACE Does

We create cultural exchange programmes that bring people together, foster understanding and build a more connected and inclusive world.

  1. 01

    Explore New Cultures

    Experience different traditions, ways of life and perspectives firsthand.

  2. 02

    Build Global Connections

    Meet like-minded people and create meaningful, lifelong friendships.

  3. 03

    Promote Understanding

    Encourage dialogue, respect and appreciation for diverse cultures and ideas.

  4. 04

    Create Opportunities

    Open doors for learning, collaboration and personal growth across borders.

Young people from different cultures standing in a circle with their hands joined at the centre, seen from above
Who can apply

Curiosity matters more than credentials.

Our programmes welcome people who want to share their own culture and learn from others. Each programme page lists its specific requirements.

  • Ages 16–45, depending on the programme
  • Open to all nationalities
  • No IELTS or TOEFL required
  • Scholarships available for selected programmes

  1. Students

    School and university students ready for their first international experience, or looking to deepen one.

  2. Young professionals

    Early-career people building a global outlook and an international network.

  3. Community leaders

    Youth workers, volunteers and organisers who bring what they learn back home.

  4. Creatives & culture makers

    Artists, writers and cultural practitioners who tell their communities' stories.

Ways to take part

Four ways to join the exchange

Start with a single event or stay for years. Every programme mixes learning with living: you spend time in the host culture, and you bring your own.

Conferences

Multi-day gatherings in a host city with heritage visits, workshops, open dialogue and a culture night where delegates share their own traditions.

See upcoming conferences

Fellowships

Longer programmes for young people who want to go deeper: research, lead projects and build lasting partnerships across borders.

Hear when they open

Cultural events

Shorter programmes centred on one tradition, from music and food to craft and performance, hosted with local partners.

Get announcements

Ambassador programme

For alumni who want to keep going: represent YACE in your home country, help new delegates prepare and grow the community where you live.

Become an ambassador
Where we gather

One table, set in a different country each time.

Follow the route. Each stop is a host city and a new group of delegates.

  1. Applications openJanuary 2027 · exact dates to be announced
    YACE Istanbul 2027

    Istanbul

    Türkiye

    Where Europe meets Asia.

    Four days of heritage sites, performances and real conversations. 200 scholarships, including 30 fully funded places.

    Apply for Istanbul
  2. Applications not open yet2027 · dates to be announced
    YACE Central Europe 2027

    Central Europe

    Budapest · Bratislava · Vienna

    Three Cities. Three Cultures. One Shared Experience.

    The Central European Cultural Exchange Forum. Join the list and we'll tell you the moment applications open.

    Notify me
FAQ

Questions we hear often

Who can join YACE programmes?

Young people aged 16 to 45 from any country, depending on the programme. You don't need previous experience, only curiosity and respect for other cultures.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?

No. There is no English test requirement for YACE programmes.

What does a fully funded scholarship cover?

It depends on the programme. Typically accommodation, meals and the full programme, and for some events selected travel costs. Each event page lists exactly what is covered.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

Through the application form. We look for curiosity, motivation and what you would bring to the group, not grades or a long CV.

Can YACE help with my visa?

Selected scholars and self-funded delegates receive an official invitation letter. The final visa decision always rests with the embassy.

How do I hear about new events?

Subscribe to our emails at the bottom of this page. We write when a new host country is announced and when applications open.

See all questions
Stay in the loop

Be first to hear about new host countries

One email when a new event opens for applications. No spam.