United Nations SSDSN Youth Local Pathways Fellowship

Application Deadline: February 1st, 2023

By way of recognizing youth as the key player in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and building on the success of the past cohorts of the Local Pathways Fellows, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) is recruiting its 2023 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. 

The Local Pathways Fellowship seeks to provide young leaders with a platform, a guiding framework for action, and connect them with leading development experts and practitioners:

• Guide and inform their work around their existing and future projects, and help them develop insights about local sustainable development challenges;
• Provide them with a framework for engagement with local stakeholders;
• Facilitate mutual learning and exchange of urban solutions;
• Support them in becoming local advocates that promote and advocate for dialogue and problem solving for sustainable development.

Requirements

In order to be selected as a Local Pathways Fellow, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application (exceptions may apply);
• Candidates must be based in the same city throughout the entire duration of the Fellowship (February through November 2021);
• Candidates must be fluent in English and the local language of the cities they represent;
• Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to and a solid understanding of the concept of sustainable development;
• Candidates must be able to commit the minimum of 5-7 hours each week on average;
• Candidates must have a stable internet connection;
• A minimum of one year of professional or academic experience in development practice, urban planning, community engagement and advocacy, or similar;
• A demonstrated background in research, development practice, advocacy or similar fields would be considered a strong asset.

The 2023 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellowship will bring together a network of 100 young thought leaders, urban planners, sustainability advocates, researchers and innovators from 100 different cities across the world to advance local dialogue, collaboration and problem solving around the Sustainable Development Goals and to make cities and urban settlements “smart, fair and sustainable”.

The LPF program is building on the success of the four cohorts under our belt. The Fellowship has recently expanded its team to increase the support and guidance provided for its fellows. The team has been constantly working on polishing the program curriculum that now focuses more on project development. The 2022 edition of the program also leverages global networking opportunities for its fellows. It aims to foster even more collaboration among fellows through cooperative assignments and peer-to-peer feedback. The fellows will be working more closely with the wider SDSN Youth network to build local connections through the SDG Students Hubs and SDSN’s national and regional networks for a bigger impact. 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The LPF is a 10-month program that takes fellows on a journey of charting pathways for ‘localizing’ SDG 11. The program of activities has monthly deliverables that revolve around:

• Learning about the major challenges currently faced by urban areas around the world and the extraordinary potential of these areas to enable change in the future. From infrastructure to culture to economic opportunity, learn how harnessing the power of urban development for global progress is imperative.

• Channeling the ideas and knowledge they acquire into the development of a project that addresses challenges pertinent to their city and area of interest; this will be the main outcome and deliverable of the fellowship.
• Connecting with the peer-to-peer network of 253 fellows from 170 different cities across 78 countries. This grants fellows the opportunity to exchange knowledge, share resources, and build solutions with urban leaders from across the world
• Gaining insight and mentorship from experts from the industry through the LPF webinar series.

COMMITMENT

• The Local Pathways Fellowship is a 10-month position that requires 5-7 hours per week

CONDITIONS

• Duration of Position: This position requires a minimum commitment of 10 months, with a 2-month probation period
• Supervision: This position is supervised by the Project Lead of Local Pathways Fellowship Program.
• Compensation: This position is voluntary.
• Training: All fellows are required to complete all SDSN Youth online induction courses, including team training.

BENEFITS

• The fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure as champions for sustainable urban development, numerous opportunities to develop their expertise, as well as access to our vast network of SDG professionals and advocates.
• Being part of SDSN Youth and the Local Pathways Fellowship enables you to be at the forefront of efforts taken by the United Nations, governments, companies, and civil society in developing and leading a global movement for sustainable development and enables you to make an impact.
• Being part of a movement of young people, who are committed to sustainable development and are being equipped with the necessary skills and tools to overcome key challenges and meaningfully contribute to the achievement of SDGs in communities.
• SDSN Youth and the Local Pathways Fellowship enables you to build professional and personal relationships with high-level stakeholders in civil society, business, government, and the United Nations.
• By joining the Local Pathways Fellowship, you will be part of a diverse and exceptional group of fellows with a variety of cultural, religious, and political backgrounds, committed to sustainable development.
• The relationships you develop through SDSN Youth and the Local Pathways Fellowship could serve as a foundation for your future endeavors.
• Supported by our global team of experts, you will progress rapidly in a challenging but flexible, fulfilling, and meaningful environment.
• You may be selected to attend and/or speak at events
• Your experiences will become central to our program ́s efforts and legacy.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) Local Pathways Fellowship