Side Meeting Opportunity for CSO and Youth Groups

WHS 2026

Host a Side Meeting Free of Charge

For Civil Society Organizations and Youth Groups

What Is Included
Who Can Apply
How To Apply
Important Remarks
Download Program Information

The World Health Summit offers civil society organizations and youth groups the opportunity to host one of three available side meetings free of charge during the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin. Side meetings provide a platform for focused discussions on topics selected by the hosting organization, fostering in-depth dialogue in a more interactive and intimate setting.

This opportunity is part of the World Health Summit’s efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity by expanding access to the Summit’s opportunities.

What Is Included

Selected host organizations will receive:

90-minute side meeting slot during the WHS 2026
- Self-organized session for up to 30 participants
- Sessions can be held in either a roundtable or theater-style setup
- Hybrid format is possible
- Technical support will be available in case of emergencies
- Time slots will be determined in consultation between the WHS Foundation and the selected host organization, depending on availability
15 free WHS 2026 registrations for organizers, speakers, or participants.
Visibility on the WHS website: the side meeting will be listed on the WHS website.

Hosting Requirements

Selected host organizations are responsible for:

Developing a feasible session concept
- Defining a topic and target audience
- Demonstrating (1) a connection to one or more WHS 2026 central topics, or (2) a valuable thematic contribution addressing a relevant niche topic beyond them:
  - Global Health Architecture
  - Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
  - Advancing Health Equity for Women, Children, and Youth
  - Future-Ready Health Systems
  - Conflict and Health
  - Environmental Drivers of Health
Speaker and participant management
- Timely outreach to speakers and chair/moderator
- Determining participant access: Open to all, Upon registration, By invitation only
- Ensuring all invited participants are registered for the World Health Summit 2026 conference in Berlin; participation in a side meeting is not possible without prior registration
Providing a two-page report on the content, key learnings, and impact of the event to the WHS Foundation GmbH until the end of 2026
Supporting the communication activities of the World Health Summit through both WHS channels and their own channels. This may include written coverage, video content, or social media posts related to the hosted side meeting and participation in WHS 2026. The World Health Summit Communications team will coordinate and support these activities in close collaboration with the selected host organizations.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted via the official online application form by 30 June 2026.

Eligible applicants:

Civil society organizations
Youth organizations

Your application must include:

Session title
Session concept
Innovative value-add for WHS 2026 participants
Connection to one or more WHS 2026 central topics, or making a valuable thematic contribution beyond them

Apply Now

Important Remarks

Applications will be evaluated for completeness and quality of content. If more fitting applications are submitted than side meeting slots can be awarded, the World Health Summit will employ a lottery to determine the recipient organizations.
The World Health Summit does not provide travel and accommodation to side meeting hosts nor to the speakers or participants selected for the side meetings.
Side meeting hosts are responsible to ensure timely speaker invitation and their registration to the World Health Summit to ensure sufficient time for a possible visa process.
The World Health Summit is not able to support in visa applications. Upon registration for the World Health Summit 2026, an automated registration confirmation will be provided which may be used to apply for a visa.
As part of our commitment to advancing inclusivity and diversity across all levels of the World Health Summit, we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups and initiatives. Our goal is to foster meaningful and equitable participation throughout the WHS community.
Selected host organizations will receive detailed guidelines for the organizing of a side meeting and shall adhere to these guidelines.
In case of any last-minute cancellation/forfeiture of the side meeting after August 31, 2026, the World Health Summit reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of 200€.

Download Program Information

Download the full WHS 2026 Side Meeting Opportunity document with all relevant information for applicants.

World Health Summit 2026 Side Meeting Opportunity for Civil Society Organizations and Youth Groups

Download

Selected host organizations are responsible for:

Developing a feasible session concept
- Defining a topic and target audience
- Demonstrating (1) a connection to one or more WHS 2026 central topics, or (2) a valuable thematic contribution addressing a relevant niche topic beyond them:
  - Global Health Architecture
  - Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
  - Advancing Health Equity for Women, Children, and Youth
  - Future-Ready Health Systems
  - Conflict and Health
  - Environmental Drivers of Health
Speaker and participant management
- Timely outreach to speakers and chair/moderator
- Determining participant access: Open to all, Upon registration, By invitation only
- Ensuring all invited participants are registered for the World Health Summit 2026 conference in Berlin; participation in a side meeting is not possible without prior registration
Providing a two-page report on the content, key learnings, and impact of the event to the WHS Foundation GmbH until the end of 2026
Supporting the communication activities of the World Health Summit through both WHS channels and their own channels. This may include written coverage, video content, or social media posts related to the hosted side meeting and participation in WHS 2026. The World Health Summit Communications team will coordinate and support these activities in close collaboration with the selected host organizations.