2023/2024 Prague Civil Society Centre Fellowship Programme

The Prague Civil Society Centre Fellowship Programme offers civil society leaders, journalists, and activists a three-month stay in Prague to think, reset, network, explore new possibilities and work on their projects.

The fellowship programme consists of these primary activities:

• meetings with inspiring Czech NGOs and think tanks
• workshops on project development and fundraising
• experience sharing with other fellows
• individual work on your project

Priority Topics

The wars, conflicts, and social upheavals that swept through Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia last year radically changed the configuration of local communities and gave rise to many new forms of civil society work.

The push for decolonisation and the demand for a rethinking of one’s own national identity intensified with the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. New types of initiatives and leaders have emerged that work horizontally, relying on extensive volunteer networks. Citizens regain their agency by participating in urban and ecological communities.

Investigative teams uncover corruption schemes and discover how the culpable are evading international sanctions. Representatives of civil society are actively mastering international advocacy and conducting high-profile public campaigns within their own countries.

Human rights defenders have gained new legitimacy in the eyes of society by scaling up legal aid and attracting individual donations. Independent media are looking to reach new audiences through new social media platforms. Femactivism has reached new levels of creativity and impact.

In this fellowship cycle, they are looking for applicants whose work aims to answer the new challenges civil society and independent media in the countries faced in 2022, those who are developing strategies for maintaining and developing their work in unprecedented circumstances or looking for new models of sustainability.

The specific thematic priorities are:

• New leadership initiatives
• Sustainability of the civil sector
• Investigations and advocacy
• Research projects
• Anti-war and decolonial initiatives

Benefits

• The Centre will cover travel expenses, provide a modest but comfortable apartment as well as a small daily allowance for living in Prague, and assist with obtaining a visa. You will also have access to a shared office space with internet and a printer.

Eligibility

• Open to journalists, experts, researchers, human rights activists, environmental, cultural, and urban activists, members of non-governmental organizations and civic groups.
• Be citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
• People who already have significant experience in one of the priority areas.
• They will consider applications from people from all of the countries listed above with a priority given to those staying inside their countries; however, they will also accept applications from people who have been forced to leave their country.

How To Apply

• Step 1: Complete the fellowship application form.
  • Make sure you fill out the form carefully, without any errors or inconsistencies. The fellowship program is extremely competitive and only candidates with the best profiles and applications will be selected.
• STEP 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview. They will discuss your project idea, the programme and the obligations of both parties.
• STEP 3: The final selection will be held and all candidates will be informed of the results by June 15, 2023.

For more information, visit Prague Civil Society Centre Fellowship.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2023

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