Deadline: 07-Jun-2026
The Warsaw Fellowship is an intensive leadership and learning programme designed to strengthen civic engagement in an increasingly digital and polarized world.
It focuses on how technology, governance, and society intersect, particularly in areas such as:
- Democracy and civic participation
- Human rights and social justice
- Digital transformation and AI ethics
- Disinformation and hate speech
- Minority rights and inclusion
- Responsible use of emerging technologies
The fellowship emphasizes experiential learning, collaboration, and action-oriented leadership development.
Key Focus Areas
Democracy and Civic Engagement
- Strengthening democratic values and institutions
- Civic participation and community leadership
- Public accountability and transparency
Digital Transformation and AI
- Responsible use of artificial intelligence
- Digital ecosystems and platform governance
- Technology’s impact on society and politics
Human Rights and Inclusion
- Protection of minority and disadvantaged groups
- Human rights advocacy
- Social inclusion and equality
Disinformation and Hate Speech
- Countering online misinformation
- Addressing hate speech and polarization
- Media literacy and critical thinking
Leadership and Collaboration
- Civic leadership development
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Mentorship and peer learning
Programme Structure
The Fellowship includes:
- Guest lectures from experts
- Interactive workshops
- Site visits and field experiences
- Group discussions and reflections
- Community-building activities
- Mandatory weekend sessions
The programme is full-time and highly immersive over 10 days in Warsaw.
Funding and Benefits
Participation support includes:
- Free programme participation
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Lunch during programme days
- Local transportation in Warsaw
Participants are responsible for:
- Travel to and from Warsaw
- Travel insurance
- One daily meal
- Personal expenses
Note:
- No direct stipend or cash grant is provided
- Benefits are in-kind (fully supported programme participation)
Who Can Apply
Eligible countries:
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Denmark
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Ukraine
- United States
Eligible participants:
- Students
- Activists
- Educators
- Professionals
- Civic and community leaders
- Emerging or experienced practitioners
Requirements:
- Strong interest in democracy and human rights
- Good command of English
- Motivation to engage in complex civic issues
- Willingness to participate fully in the programme
- No age limit
Selection Criteria
Applicants are evaluated based on:
- Motivation and commitment to civic engagement
- Interest in democracy and digital transformation
- Leadership potential
- Quality of proposed action ideas
- Ability to contribute to group learning
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
CV
- Maximum 2 pages
- PDF format
Essay
- Up to 500 words
- Based on provided topic
Video submission
- Maximum 90 seconds
- Includes personal introduction and action project idea
Action project description
- 100-word summary of project concept
Dissemination plan
- Up to 250 words
- Explains how fellowship learning will be shared afterward
How the Fellowship Works
Step 1: Application submission
- Submit CV, essay, video, and project concepts
Step 2: Selection process
- Evaluation based on motivation and leadership potential
- Focus on diversity and cross-country representation
Step 3: Fellowship programme
- 10-day intensive learning experience in Warsaw
- Participation in workshops, lectures, and discussions
Step 4: Action project development
- Participants design civic or social impact initiatives
- Focus on real-world application
Step 5: Post-fellowship dissemination
- Fellows share knowledge in their home communities
- Implementation of action projects encouraged
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak or generic essay responses
- Poorly defined action project ideas
- Lack of clear motivation for civic engagement
- Incomplete application materials
- Ignoring video submission requirements
- Not demonstrating relevance to democracy or digital issues
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Warsaw Fellowship
- A 10-day intensive learning programme focused on
- Democracy
- Human rights
- Digital transformation
- Civic engagement
- A 10-day intensive learning programme focused on
- Is the Fellowship fully funded
- Yes, participation is free
- Includes
- Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Local transport in Warsaw
- Participants cover travel and personal costs
- Who can apply
- Applicants from
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Denmark
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Ukraine
- United States
- Open to students, professionals, activists, and educators
- Applicants from
- Is there an age limit
- No age limit applies
- What language is required
- Good command of English is required
- What is required in the application
- CV (max 2 pages)
- 500-word essay
- 90-second video
- 100-word action project idea
- 250-word dissemination plan
Conclusion
The Warsaw Fellowship is a high-impact leadership programme designed to build capacity in democracy, human rights, and digital governance. By bringing together diverse civic leaders for immersive learning and action-based projects, it strengthens cross-border collaboration and empowers participants to address pressing societal challenges in their communities.
For more information, visit Humanity in Action.