Bard College Center for Civic Engagement, in collaboration with the American Embassy in Serbia, is accepting applications for a year-long, youth engagement fellowship focused on Civic Engagement in the 21st Century: Leadership and the Challenge of the Engaged Citizen.
The program is designed for a diverse group of up to 30 emerging youth leaders between ages 18-24 who are interested in exploring notions of civic engagement and ethical leadership while building and practicing project development skills. Participants will be required to develop a community based project proposal for implementation. The goal of the program is to provide participants with the tools to become engaged citizens in their own communities.
The program is designed for a diverse group of up to 30 emerging youth leaders between ages 18-24 who are interested in exploring notions of civic engagement and ethical leadership while building and practicing project development skills. Participants will be required to develop a community based project proposal for implementation. The goal of the program is to provide participants with the tools to become engaged citizens in their own communities.
The program includes three phases:
1) February - April 2025: Online seminars focused on building a sense of community and grounding the work in shared definitions and themes;
2) May 2025: In-person, six-day immersive program in Belgrade which includes the following:
a) skills based activities
b) thematic seminars
c) community engagement activities
d) project proposal writing workshops culminating in the submission of a draft
e) the development of a peer-led community of practice
3) June - December 2025: The implementation of a peer-led, online community of practice featuring monthly sessions designed by the cohort to support participants through the implementation phase of a community-based project. Culminating event designed by participants to be held in December 2025.
2) May 2025: In-person, six-day immersive program in Belgrade which includes the following:
a) skills based activities
b) thematic seminars
c) community engagement activities
d) project proposal writing workshops culminating in the submission of a draft
e) the development of a peer-led community of practice
3) June - December 2025: The implementation of a peer-led, online community of practice featuring monthly sessions designed by the cohort to support participants through the implementation phase of a community-based project. Culminating event designed by participants to be held in December 2025.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 20, 2025
Application Requirements
- Applicants must complete the application form to be considered
- Decisions will be released mid-January
- All participants must be registered members of BOLD. The registration process is very simple and open to all. Register here.
- The program targets youth leaders in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, aged 18-24, with a strong commitment to civic and community engagement.
Program Goals:
- To enhance project development skills including communication and assessment skills;
- To define and reflect on the role and responsibility of a global citizen within the local and regional context that highlights the links between civic organizations, NGOs advocacy groups, activists and government;
- To develop a peer-led, community of practice within the BOLD network that incorporates cross-cultural experiences;
- To incorporate research and best practices into project development;
- To build a diverse network of experts, mentors and community leaders within the civil space to help advance participant’s capacity to successfully act within their communities.
BOLD is designed to support youth leaders who have some previous civic engagement experience through volunteering, internships, academic coursework or leadership roles. Successful applicants will be prepared to implement a community-based project in their own context.
THREE VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS OFFERED
Tuesday, January 14, 18:00 CEST
Wednesday, January 15, 18:00 CEST
Thursday, January 16, 18:00 CEST
Info sessions led by Erin Cannan, Bard College Vice President for Civic Engagement
Contact for questions: [email protected]
Wednesday, January 15, 18:00 CEST
Thursday, January 16, 18:00 CEST
Info sessions led by Erin Cannan, Bard College Vice President for Civic Engagement
Contact for questions: [email protected]