Fully Funded Research Residency Programme in Prague

Published by sanja

Deadline: 10 March 2018
Open to: anyone from Eastern Europe and Central Asia with proven experience and commitment to civil society in their country or region
Fellowship: covers all travel and living expenses, english language training

Description

The Prague Civil Society Centre supports visionary, state of the art projects. They are always on the lookout for innovative, tech-based solutions and fresh approaches to the region’s social issues.

The Centre has an exceptionally broad definition of civil society that includes activists, campaigners, journalists, bloggers and lawyers, as well as creative professionals such as filmmakers, artists, designers and IT experts. They also support social entrepreneurs and civic-minded businesses.

Their aim is to create and nurture a fluid community of activists, professionals and academics that harnesses the diversity, skills and knowledge of those working on civic and social initiatives. Their flexible, inclusive and cross-sector approach is aimed to help civil society become more innovative, creative and sustainable so it is better equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities it faces in this unpredictable region.

The Centre is funded by two private foundations, the CS Mott Foundation and the Oak Foundation, along with the Swedish, Czech and US governments.

Fellowships are fully funded three-month research residencies in Prague for individuals from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This includes activists, experts, researchers and people working on civic-minded projects and social issues in their country or region.

You can use this opportunity to:

  • research challenges, opportunities, and trends affecting civil society in your country or region;
  • write a book or training manual, policy or analytical paper;
  • conceptualize and initiate a new project.

Eligibility

Anyone from Eastern Europe and Central Asia with proven experience and commitment to civil society in their country or region. This includes experts, researchers, human rights defenders, environmental or urban activists, journalists and members of NGOs and civic-minded groups.

You could also be:

• in the advanced stage of working on a research paper or book and need a few months to finish a project without the distractions of everyday life or challenges of a repressive political environment;

• an experienced trainer or someone who provides educational programmes for civil society and are looking to develop a new curriculum or re-think your current approach;

• someone with extensive knowledge and experience with a certain type of activism and are looking to document your knowledge to share with others;

• someone with knowledge and experience of successful or failed reform processes in your country and want to document this experience as to guide future reforms in your country or abroad;

• looking to write a comparative analysis of reform experiences between your country and another country/countries in the region. The fellowship can fund your research trips;

• someone with a fresh idea on how to reinvigorate civil society activism and need time to conceptualize this and work out your approach;

• someone with extensive experience with using technology and smart communication tools for social change and activism and you feel that you are ready to share your experience and approach;

• someone with extensive experience in social entrepreneurship or other ways of combining profit making and pro-bono work and you want to record and share your knowledge;

• working in a repressive environment and need a safe place for a productive recess.

Fellowship

  • All travel and living expenses are covered by the Prague Civil Society Centre and you will have the opportunity to receive a small grant to aid the development of your project;
  • There will also be opportunities for professional development, networking, and English language training.

Find more information HERE of what is included in the fellowship.

How to apply?

If selected as a fellow, you will be asked to provide a specific project output to be agreed before the beginning of the Fellowship Programme. The Prague Civil Society Centre may also request you to contribute to our ongoing projects.

In order to apply, please fill the application.

For more information, please visit the official web page.