DEADLINE: 22 FEBRUARY 2023
The Young African Leaders Programme (YALP) of the EUI School of Transnational Governance (STG) provides a unique opportunity for aspiring leaders from Africa to further develop their policy work and professional skills amidst international experts and global leaders.
In the dynamic academic environment of the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, selected participants will take part in seminars, trainings and skills development sessions, conferences, and study visits in Europe. Interaction with the other fellows, policymakers and the academic community at the EUI will make this a highly enriching experience.
The fellowship is a full-time and fully-funded programme.
Places in the three-month leadership programme are fully-funded with a grant of €2,500 per month. African leaders must live in the area of Florence for the duration of their stay. The language of the programme is English. The programme targets mid-career, high potential emerging leaders, policymakers, diplomats, and professionals from Africa, working in national and local authorities, regional, continental, international organisations and development partners, civil society organisations, academia, media and the private sector, in Africa.
The fellowship is open to mid-career professionals and executives under the age of 35 at the start of the programme on 1 September 2023. Women and people with disabilities will exceptionally be considered up to the age of 40 on 1 September 2023.
Applicants need to be African nationals residing in Africa.
Special attention will be paid to ensuring access to the programme for young people with disabilities and dedicated measures will be foreseen during the fellowship as needed.
This programme is supported by DG International Partnerships of the European Commission.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must hold a master’s degree or higher qualification at the time of applying for the programme. They should be committed to contribute to strategic themes and policy areas relevant to transnational governance. These include climate change and resilience, gender empowerment, cross-border economic and resource governance, diplomacy, digital politics, trade and investment, education, science and technology, skill development, migration and mobility, humanitarian disasters such as pandemics, regional integration and regional governance, democracy and human rights, peace and security. These areas are crucial to deliver sustainable and locally-owned development in African countries, as well as to contribute to the effective implementation of the Africa-EU partnership, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, African Continental Free Trade Area, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
HOW TO APPLY
The application deadline for the 2023/2024 fellowship is 22 February 2023 (15:00 Italian time, CET). Applications must be submitted through the online application form. There are no paper forms to complete or to mail – hard copy or email applications will not be accepted.Candidates should submit the following documents in the English language and in PDF:
A CV in PDF of maximum 3 pages.
A short biography in the application form: the bios serves in the selection process and will also be used for communications purposes if the applicant is accepted for the fellowship. Please write the bios in third person singular using maximum 1000 characters including spaces. Where possible, it should point out the work or studies the candidate has carried out on EU-Africa relations, which will be an asset in the selection process.
A statement of purpose, in PDF: in the statement of purpose, you explain who you are and why you deserve to be part of the Young African Leaders Programme and the EUI-STG. Use the statement to elaborate your views and perspectives on the link between your participation in the programme and the EU-Africa partnership and relations. It gives the admissions committee a chance to get to know you and understand how you could add value to the programme.
A copy of the highest educational certificate/ transcript and language in which this highest level of education was achieved.
Name and contact details of one referee, preferably a person who has worked with the applicant, whom the EUI may contact. Give preference to non-academic referees.