International Student Leadership Institute

International Student Leadership Institute (ISLI) is a long-standing, student-led European leadership initiative bringing together young people aged 15–18 from secondary schools across Europe for an intensive programme of youth participation, peer learning and democratic engagement. Held annually in Oberwesel, Germany, ISLI is organised and governed by students themselves through an elected board of student regents, supported by an adult safeguarding and coordination team. Young people design the programme, facilitate workshops, lead discussions on societal challenges, and take responsibility for the learning experience of their peers. ISLI currently cooperates with schools in several NATO member countries, including Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden and Finland, as well as European schools connected to the international DoDEA community. English is used as a common working language, enabling meaningful intercultural dialogue and cooperation. ISLI’s model aligns closely with the EU Youth Strategy by offering young people real decision-making power, long-term participation pathways and opportunities to progress from participants to youth leaders and organisers. Each year, participating schools may nominate students, from whom a national student regent is elected to represent their country within ISLI’s European youth governance structure. With over 40 years of history and more than 7,000 alumni, ISLI provides a sustainable, non-formal learning environment that strengthens European identity, intercultural understanding and active youth participation beyond one-off mobility experiences.