International Swiss Talent Forum 2026: WATER - elixir of life
Catch the future wave of innovation. Join the next ISTF!
This is ISTF 2026 - our politically independent think-tank for young adults! Five exciting days with students and experts from all over the world, to develop innovative solutions for tomorrow's challenges and to build a valuable network - for free.
TOPIC
Water – Elixir of Life
Water connects us all. It flows through our bodies and ecosystems, across communities and borders. It shapes our cultures and sustains all forms of life. Yet its availability and quality are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution and overuse. At the ISTF 2026, young talents from around the world come together to rethink how we value, share and care for this vital resource. While innovation holds great promise, safeguarding water is not only a scientific and technological challenge. It is a moral imperative that calls for collective action to protect the elixir of life itself.
The Five Challenges
Exciting Challenges With Charismatic Challengers and Coaches
Challengers from science and business, along with innovation coaches, help you enhance your innovation skills, learn to work in international teams, and tackle today’s problems effectively.
This! is ISTF
Ready to create, connect, and make your mark on the future? At ISTF, innovation meets inspiration. Where bright minds from around the globe come together to share ideas, spark creativity, and build lasting friendships. Watch the video below and see how you can be part of the wave that’s shaping tomorrow.
For Participants
Your Benefits
Build Your Network
Make new friends from all over the world and meet experts. It’s a unique chance to build a network of national and international contacts – a launchpad for your aspirations in business, science or politics.
Free Hotel Stay & Meals
Participation is free of cost, including hotel accommodation and meals.
International participants receive a full reimbursement of their travel expenses from their hometown to the entry point into Switzerland (conditions apply).
Profit From a Coaching
We will place you alongside experts, decision-makers and lateralthinkers, so you can learn how to tackle interdisciplinary challenges with solution-oriented approaches.
Event Details
Here’s all you Need to Know
The next ISTF event will take place from Tuesday, 17 to Saturday, 21 February 2026 at Centre Loewenberg, Murten (FR), Switzerland. It’s dedicated to 70 highly motivated young adults aged 18 to 23 years and completely free. Please note that participation is possible on invitation only.
If you’re an expert who’d like to contribute to our event as a challenger, you’ll find more info here, too.
12:00-14:30 Registration and Check-in
Basecamp – Team building
15:00 Welcome
19:00 Team Dinner
Cycle 1 – Briefing & Anaylsis
09:00 World Café
18:30 Networking Aperitive & Dinner
Cycle 2 – Ideation & Creation
18:00 Free evening
Cycle 3 – Output & Presentation
10:00 Final Event
13:30 Lunch
From 15:00 Departures
Event Location
Where it Takes Place
Our event location is the stunning Centre Loewenberg in Murten.
Venue
Centre Loewenberg
Location
Löwenberg 45B
3280 Murten
Switzerland
About ISTF
Finding Solutions for Universal and Long-Term Challenges of our Time
The International Swiss Talent Forum was launched by the foundation Swiss Youth in Science in 2009 and brings talented young people to Switzerland from all over Europe and beyond. By placing students alongside experts, decision-makers, and lateralthinkers, we create a space for innovation, interaction and debate aimed at developing new solutions to current global issues.
Main Partners
Thank you for Your Support
It wouldn’t be possible to host this event without helping hands. We have several sponsors who volunteer to help us physically and financially to make things happen.
