Shape the future of coffee with the World Coffee Forum.
Coffee, Futures, and Challenge.
Interested in coffee, F&B, services, platforms, or communities?
Your ideas could become the next key concept shaping the industry.
You could be the one to lead its next chapter.
Join coffee industry leaders and experts from around the world
and bring your ideas to life on the World Coffee Forum stage.
What’s NEW?
◎ A Familiar Cup, New Possibilities
Launched in 2023 as the Global Coffee Youth Idea Contest,
the program returns in 2026 with a new name:
the Coffee Futures Challenge.
◎ Broader Horizons, Greater Possibilities
Moving beyond its previous focus on university students,
the challenge is now open to young people aged 19 to 34 in Korea and abroad
who are interested in the coffee and F&B industry.
◎ Ideas That Inspire What’s Next
We bring together fresh ideas that can inspire new directions for the industry
and encourage future participants to take on their own challenges.
Challenge Details
■ Theme
Campaign ideas that enhance the role and value of coffee in everyday life
- Campaign slogans and concepts that communicate a core message
- Online and offline campaign ideas that encourage public interest and participation
- Ideas for a global coffee networking platform connecting young people around the world
- Strategies for the sustainable operation and expansion of the campaign and platform
■ Application Period
September 14 (Mon) to October 12 (Mon), 2026
■ Key Dates
- Application Deadline: October 12 (Mon)
- Announcement of Finalists: October 19 (Mon)
- Final Presentation Materials Due: November 6 (Fri)
- Final Presentation & Awards Ceremony:
November 13 (Fri)
*All dates and deadlines are based on Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC+9).
■ Eligibility
Young people aged 19 to 34 from Korea and abroad
who are interested in the coffee and F&B industry
*Applicants born between September 15, 1991 and September 14, 2007
- Individuals or teams of up to 4 members
- Part-time workers and those preparing for employment or starting a business are eligible
- Current coffee industry professionals are not eligible
■ Awards
- Grand Prize: 1 team, KRW 1,000,000
- Excellence Award: 1 team, KRW 500,000
- Merit Award: 2 teams, KRW 300,000 each
*Awards may not be presented if no entries are deemed qualified based on the judging results.
■ How to Apply
- Submit by email:
[email protected]
- Required Documents: Application Form, Participation Pledge,
Consent Form for the Collection, Use and Provision of Personal Information,
and Proposal (PPT and PDF)
*Download the official announcement and application forms
■ Inquiries
We welcome fresh ideas from young people ready to help shape the future of coffee.
Join the Coffee Futures Challenge and share what comes next.
Thank you.
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