UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme

New 2026 UK–Italy Young Leaders Programme cohort announced.

This UK-Italy programme brings together a group of professionals whose common link is their leadership and passion for forging closer UK and Italy ties.

The UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme (YLP) was launched in 2023 by the British and Italian Prime Ministers. The YLP aims to deepen understanding and collaboration between Italy and the UK and to create lasting bilateral dialogue at the highest level. Its objective is to build a generation of 21st-century leaders who will keep British-Italian relations at heart and shape its future across all sectors of our societies and economies.

Applicants should:

• Be under 40 on the closing date
• Hold UK and/or Italian citizenship
• Speak fluent English (a good working level of Italian is also desirable)
• Demonstrate a commitment to strengthening UK-Italy ties and a track record of leadership

Selected participants will join a unique network of professionals and take part in exclusive, high-level activities designed to foster dialogue and collaboration between the UK and Italy.

See here the highlights of last year’s Young Leaders cohort

Every edition is unique, but the goal remains the same: to create opportunities for meaningful exchange and collaboration at the highest level.

2026 Young Leaders

We are pleased to announce the 2026 cohort of our UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme.

This year, twelve exceptional leaders with distinguished careers from a range of sectors were selected from an open competition, for demonstrating excellence in their fields and commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and Italy.

Please find their biographies here.

Successful applicants are asked to sign the Young Leaders Charter (see attachment) and invited to undertake a visit to both the UK and Italy, to encourage closer relations through understanding culture and values, promoting constructive dialogue, exchanging thoughts and ideas and promoting the bilateral relationship.

Once the Young Leaders have completed their visits, they will be invited to join the “Young Leaders Alumni” network, which includes personalities from distinguished careers ranging from journalists, scientists, the military and academics to business entrepreneurs, writers, art directors and composers.

The UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme is an initiative supported by both governments, and is delivered by the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian Embassy in London.

Young Leaders Alumni

Read about Young Leaders bios 2024-2025

Further documents

Read the Young Leaders Charter

Download the YLP pamphlet with more information on the programme

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-italy-young-leaders-programme-2025-edition