Please read the following details carefully. All additional questions can be directed to youth@sistercities.org. 

• Students must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of the April 1, 2026 deadline. 
• The student must be affiliated with and have a direct point of contact with a dues-paying member of Sister Cities International or an international community partnered with a dues-paying member. 
• Each dues-paying member city may submit up to five (5) entries per category, per sister city, and per age group. International community partners are also eligible to submit a maximum of five (5) entries per category and age group.
• Each student can only submit one art piece across the whole YAAS competition.
• All entries must conform to the Sister Cities International policy on plagiarism found here. 
• All entries must be submitted and received through the online application by April 1, 2026, 11:59PM ET. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Age Range: Applicants must be 14-18 years old at the time of YLS.
• Sister City Affiliation: Participants must be associated with a Sister City Organization, either as members, volunteers, or program participants.
• Interest in Citizen Diplomacy: Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to fostering international cooperation and understanding.
• Leadership Potential: Candidates should exhibit leadership qualities and a willingness to engage in leadership development activities.
• Commitment: Applicants must be available to attend the entirety of YLS. Scheduling conflicts must be communicated in advance.
• Parent Guardian Consent: For participants under the age of 18, parent/guardian consent is required to apply for YLS. 
• International Students are welcome to apply but are responsible for their own visa and travel arrangements. Sister Cities International will provide visa recommendation letters upon acceptance.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and cultures to apply.

Application Required Materials 

• Two letters of recommendation: one from a school teacher and one from your local Sister City contact.
• A one-minute video answering, "How will participating in the Youth Leadership Summit contribute to your future goals, and why do you want to attend?"
• Three short-answer questions (300 words max)