The European Youth Capital is a title given to European cities for one year since 2009 by the European Youth Forum. During this period, the chosen city has the opportunity to present its cultural, social, political and economic life and development program about youth people.

Studies on the 2026 European Youth Capital application will continue throughout the year in partnership with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality City Council Youth Assembly, in cooperation with the relevant units of the Metropolitan Municipality and with a variety of institutions, and organizations that carry out youth studies.

28 non-governmental organizations and participants who represent 10 district municipalities started studies on the application process Under the heading 'City and Youth' at Izmir Youth Initiatives meeting on January 14, 2023. With the experience obtained by reaching the quarter-finals in the European Youth Capital application in 2025, the application for 2026 was made. İzmir was one of the 5 European cities that made it to the finals in the 2026 European Youth Capital candidacy among 13 European cities. Izmir; Malaga (Spain), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Tromso (Norway) and Vila do Conde (Portugal) deserved to occupy the shortlist. On 2 October 2023 a more detailed 3rd round and final application outlining a comprehensive program of youth-related cultural, social and political events and activities for the whole year was submitted, followed by participation in the jury meeting in Brussels on 14 November 2023. On November 27, 2023 the winner will be announced at the final ceremony in Lublin, Poland.