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.
When: 2024/2025 fellowships will be held in three time slots. The slots will be assigned to selected applicants by the Prague Civil Society Centre.
- Slot 1: 15/09/2024 – 15/12/2024
- Slot 2: 15/01/2025 – 15/04/2025
- Slot 3: 01/05/2025 – 31/07/2025
Where: Prague, Czechia
Languages: English, Russian
Application deadline: 25 March 2024 at 8:00 CET
Who should apply:
- Human rights activists, members of NGOs and civic groups, experts and researchers, environmental, cultural, and urban activists, media experts and journalists
- Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. You can be either living in one of the countries or be based outside
- Applicants should already have significant experience
We are particularly looking for applicants:
- Addressing new challenges (standing up to pressure, censorship, criminalisation, security issues etc.) civil society and independent media face in your country or region
- Preparing for the change and creating strategies for the future
- Adjusting their work to unprecedented circumstances or looking for new models of sustainability
- Strengthening anti-war and decolonial initiatives
- Developing projects with focus on human rights, urbanism, ecology, social work or media responding to an existing societal demand
What is covered: 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.
How to apply:
Step 1: Complete the fellowship application form, including the project description. Last day to submit the form is 25 March 2024 at 8:00 CET. In order to sustain a fair competition, no applications submitted after the deadline will be accepted.
Please check if your application complies with the eligibility criteria below. Applications not fulfilling the eligibility criteria will not be assessed.
Eligibility criteria:
- Age – minimum age to apply is 25 in 2024
- Country – applicant must be a national of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. We accept applications both from the people living inside their countries and outside.
- Project description must be attached to the application
Step 2: After submission, eligible applications are assessed by country experts. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited to an online interview by May 20, 2024. We 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 25 June 2024.
Please check the FAQ:
- I come from a country not listed in the call. Can I be selected to the Fellowship Programme?
No. Only applicants who have the citizenship or are currently living in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan can apply.
- I am under 25, but I already have some experience. Can I be selected to the Fellowship Programme?
No. Minimum age for application is 25. The PCSC fellowship is designed for more senior individuals. PCSC offers a number of other programmes for young people. Please follow our social media to find out about other opportunities at Instagram, Facebook, Telegram.
- I am over 25, but still a student/recent graduate. Can I be selected to the Fellowship Programme?
We are looking for applicants with a significant level of expertise or experience. The Fellowship Programme is very competitive, only applicants with the best profiles are selected.
- I speak only a little English and no/little Russian. Is it a problem?
Yes. It creates problems on the basic organisational level of the fellowship. To be selected, you have to speak at least one of the fellowship languages. Please note that if you are shortlisted, the interview will be held in one or both of these languages depending on your declared command of them.
- What level of English do I need to participate?
The minimum recommended level of English is B1 (intermediate) according to the EU standards. Otherwise you will not be able to fully benefit from the Fellowship Programme, because most of the activities are in English. Also, Prague Centre staff speak Russian, but most people in Czechia speak English as a foreign language. Without English it would be difficult to arrange individual meetings with Czech organisations or experts.
- Can I bring somebody with me?
Yes, you can, but only after a prior approval by the Programme Officer and at your sole responsibility. The Prague Civil Society Centre cannot offer any visa assistance and it cannot cover any costs for the person accompanying you.
- Is it possible to participate in the fellowship online?
No, the fellowship takes place fully on site.
- Do I have to participate for full three months?
It is advisable to participate for full three months. Exceptions based on duly justified reasons can be made, but from our experience shorter stay prevents a fellow from fully benefitting from the programme.
- Can I travel out of Prague during the fellowship?
If it is a project related travel and your visa permits it yes, you can. Travelling for private purposes should be limited to weekends or holidays.
- Are pets allowed?
Pets are not allowed.
Still have questions? Contact us at: fellowships@praguecivilsociety.org