Individuals from any part of the world who are interested in developing their leadership skills, improving their organizational skills, and have potential for democracy leadership; can apply to the Hurford Youth Fellowship Program. This is a three-month program that gives the selected youth candidates the opportunity to travel to the USA and work on the fellowship to expand their global network and connections, share their experiences with fellows from around the world, and to contribute towards the development of the World Youth Movement for Democracy and World Movement for Democracy.

In addition, the fellows will have the opportunity to engage in strategic meetings, conduct research, lead and prepare the presentation, and participate and facilitate online discussions and sessions organized on key issues of democracy., identify, complete, present and creatively share discussion materials and results.

if you have great ideas about how to promote democracy in your community and ready to build your leadership skills and meet other youth leaders from around the world, DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY  and apply today.

Details of Hurford Youth Fellowship

Deadline: 31 July 2023

Fellowship period: three months (March 1- May 31, 2024)

Organizer and sponsors:

• National Endowment for Democracy,
• World Youth Movement for Democracy and
• World Movement for Democracy.

Location: Washington, D.C, U.S.A

Number of fellowships: 2

Fellowship benefits and supports:

The Hurford fellowship provides the following benefits:

• Monthly stipend for living expenses
• Basic health insurance
• Round trip travel cost to and from Washington, D.C.
• Fully equipped office
• Limited budget for phone-calls
• Access to the NED Democracy Resource center

Eligibility

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Be 30 years old or younger
• Have demonstrated interest in democratic activism
• Be interested in the advancement of democracy in their communities
• Youth having affiliation with civil society organizations are highly encouraged to apply
• Possess a working knowledge of the English language

Related: TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship Program in South Africa

Residency requirement

• The fellows are expected to work on their fellowship project full-time at NED office in Washington, D.C, USA.
• Not hold any other Fellowship during the Hurford Youth fellowship program
• Additional work opportunities or fellowships coinciding with the period of Fellowship must be presented to the attention of the World Movement for Democracy

Visa:

Prior to arriving in the US, non-us residents require a J-1 exchange visitor visa. The international forum for Democratic Studies will support the fellows in the documentation needed for Visa.

How to apply:

Prepare the required documents mentioned below, and apply online.

Apply Now

Required documents;

• Application form
• CV/resume
• Two recommendation letters
• Passport
• a research proposal answering the following questions and selecting one of the three coming themes: 1) Defending democratic space, 2) promoting inclusive governance, 3) strengthening democratic leadership.
  • what is your proposed research topic for your fellowship project?
  • what are three specific online discussion topics or questions under your research topic?
  • how would you conduct research and develop information materials that could be used for broader dissemination and/or online discussions?
  • How would you contribute to the development of youth engagement at the World Movement for Democracy?
  • How would you benefit professionally from your time in Washington and what will that mean for your organization?
• Your research proposal should be concise and correspond one of the following :
  • Expanding Civic Space for Young People
  • Countering Disinformation
  • Building Citizen-Centric Accountability
  • Delivering Democracy

For any technical problem or any other queries please contact youthfellows@ned.org

Recommendation guideline:
Please provide information on the following points regarding the applicant:

1. How long have you known them and in what context?

2. What is your opinion on their background, qualifications, accomplishments, and experiences?

3. What is your appraisal of their ability to complete the proposed project on time?

4. Do you believe the applicant and their project are suitable for the Hurford Youth Fellows Program?

5. Please share any other important information you feel is relevant about the candidate.

Similar opportunities: 

• Japan Study Supports Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
• Apply To Become A TED Fellow and attend a conference in Vancouver Canada
• 70 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships in Canada

visit the official website of the fellowship for more details

Information about Host and sponsor organizations;

THE HURFORD FOUNDATION

The Hurford Foundation was established to honor the late John B. Hurford (1938 – 2000), an internationalist and philanthropist who played an important role in helping to conceptualize and realize the World Movement for Democracy. For many years, the Hurford Foundation has been an important supporter of the World Movement for Democracy. The Hurford Foundation generously supports the Hurford Youth Fellows Program.

INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR DEMOCRATIC STUDIES

NED established the International Forum for Democratic Studies (the Forum) in 1994 in response to the need for sustained and serious analysis of democracy’s problems and prospects throughout the world. Since then, the Forum has become the preeminent center for the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of democratic development worldwide. Through its fellowship programs, its publication of the quarterly Journal of Democracy, and its public seminars and symposia, the Forum enhances efforts to foster and improve democracy while also making important contributions to the field of comparative democratic studies

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. An independent, nonpartisan board of directors governs NED. With its annual congressional appropriation,it makes hundreds of grants each year to support pro-democracy groups in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

WORLD MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
The World Movement for Democracy is a global network that brings together democracy activists, practitioners, academics, policymakers, and funders. NED initiated this nongovernmental effort in February 1999 at a worldwide Assembly in New Delhi, India, to strengthen democracy where it is weak, to reform and invigorate democracy even where it is longstanding, and to bolster pro-democracy groups in countries that have not yet entered into a process of democratic transition.