The Hurford Youth Program (Fully Funded to USA)

ABOUT

The Hurford Program seeks to build the leadership skills, enhance the organizational talents and harness the potential of emerging democracy leaders from around the world. Through the Fellowship program, youth activists spend three months in the Washington D.C during which they expand their global network, learn lessons from activists from democracy movements around the world, and contribute to the development of the World Movement for Democracy. Fellows will be expected to organize online discussions to generate active engagement among youth activists around the world.

Hurford Youth Fellows will engage in strategic meetings, conduct research, and organize and lead presentations, and information-sharing sessions on the following specific areas outlined in the “What’s Next? Youth Declaration:”
• Expanding Civic Space for Young People
• Countering Disinformation
• Building Citizen-Centric Accountability
• Delivering Democracy

The Youth Declaration and the Call for Action Themes:

Specifically, each fellow will engage in the following activities:
 Conduct research on one topic related to the democracy themes above.
 Develop online resources, such as a collection of related publications and training materials
 Facilitate online discussions.
 Contribute to the World Movement social media posts.
 Take part in planning and implementing other activities of the World Movement.
 Participate in relevant events and discussions in Washington, D.C., to deepen understanding of
issues and build working relationships.
 Identify, compile, present, and creatively share discussion materials and results.
Each fellow will also make at least one formal presentation of their work during their fellowship.
Presentations may be open to the public or geared to a more select audience and will typically focus on the fellow’s project topic.

Upon the successful completion of each fellowship at NED, the fellow will serve as a regional/country focal point, working with the Hurford Youth Fellowship Alumni Network to remain involved and take the lead in facilitating World Movement for Democracy youth initiatives.

ELIGIBILITY

• Applicants must be no older than 30 years of age.
• Must demonstrate a strong interest in democratic activism and in the advancement of democracy in their respective communities, as well as worldwide. Youth affiliated with civil society organizations are especially encouraged to apply.
• Open to applicants from any country.
• A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program for general communication purposes. All application materials must be submitted in English.

SELECTION PROCESS

Fellows will be selected by the World Movement Secretariat staff, NED regional program staff, and the Hurford Youth Fellowship Alumni Network following an application process.
Selection will be based on a set of criteria including demonstrated activism or interest in the advancement of democracy, a desire to network with others, and a clear explanation of how the fellowship will benefit their own efforts for advancing democracy.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Fellowship Term
March 1 – May 31, 2024
Application Deadline: All application materials must be submitted by July 31, 2023.

Applicants are asked to submit the following:
 Applicant Form;
 C.V./Resume; and
 Two Letters of Recommendation
 A Project Proposal corresponding to any of the action areas in the Youth Declaration:
• Expanding Civic Space for Young People
• Countering Disinformation
• Building Citizen-Centric Accountability
• Delivering Democracy

Click here to READ MORE and APPLY for the fellowship

Click HERE to see the official page of the fellowship