Swedish Institute’s Young Leaders Visitors Programme 2016 for Young Leaders (Fully Funded to Sweden)

Application Deadline: 8 December 2015.

The Swedish Institute’s Young Leaders Visitors Programme (YLVP) is an intercultural leadership programme that aims to lay a foundation for dialogue and knowledge sharing among young leaders from the Middle East, North Africa and Sweden.

The Young Leaders Visitors Programme (YLVP) is designed to provide the participants with new skills, broadened networks and innovative tools to strengthen their work to drive social change in their respective contexts. The participants are visionaries who are in a position to make a difference. They are young, open-minded leaders in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and Sweden who are actively working for democracy and human rights within the spheres of society, culture, politics and media.

During and after the programme the participants will be part of an active network that will boost creativity and support their personal and professional development, while also laying the platform for a more connected future. Since the launch of the YLVP in 2008, the programme alumni network has grown to comprise over 200 young leaders.

Eligibility Requirements:

To apply to the Young Leaders Visitors Programme you have to:

• be an engaged leader within the spheres of society, culture, politics or media (for example project managers, youth leaders, journalists, bloggers, activists, youth politicians, cultural workers, civil servants, lawyers and pedagogues)
• work actively for democracy and human rights
• be between 20 and 32 years old (at the time of the start of the programme)
• have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English
• a citizen of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine*, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen or Sweden.

Selection Criteria:

The Swedish Institute appoints a selection committee consisting of staff from the Swedish Institute as well as representatives from partner organisations and field experts. Each application is evaluated by two different members of the selection committee according to the following criteria:

• platform/influence
• awareness and analytical skills
• drive and motivation
• relevant work experience
• relevant educational background

Benefits:

• Accommodation, food and travel

All costs related to accommodation, food and transport during the YLVP are covered by the Swedish Institute. The Swedish Institute will also arrange and pay for your air travel to and from Sweden and to the location of the second module of the programme in the MENA region

The programme comprises of four weeks of intensive work divided into two modules.

Module 1: YLVP in Sweden (15 May – 3 June 2016) 

This module offers experience-based intercultural leadership training and personal as well as group development. It also involves advanced hands-on training with the use of cutting-edge social media tools. Exchange of experiences and creative strategies in the work for social change takes place through seminars and workshops with facilitators working actively in these fields.

Module 2: YLVP in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (5–11 November 2016) 

Module 2 offers an opportunity to maintain, build and expand your network. All participants meet again in one of the participating MENA countries to continue the exchange and follow up the development of their work.

How to Apply:

You apply by filling out the YLVP 2016 Application Form and submitting it through our Application portal together with your CV in English. The deadline for applying to YLVP 2016 is 8 December 2015.

Only applicants who have submitted a complete application will be considered for the programme. A complete application consists of:

• a completed YLVP 2016 Application Form in English,  including your contact details and the contact details of two reference persons
• an updated CV in English
• a photo (not compulsory).

Timeline:

• Deadline for applications to YLVP 2016: 8 December 2015
• Google Hangout interviews with shortlisted candidates: 26 January – 5 February
• YLVP 2016 module 1 in Sweden: 15 May – 3 June 2016
• YLVP 2016 follow-up module (location to be determined): 5–11 November 2016

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Swedish Institute’s Young Leaders Visitors Programme 2016 for Young Leaders.