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Swedish Institute Leader Lab 2025 Scholarship

The Swedish Institute (SI) has opened applications for the SI Leader Lab 2025, a prestigious leadership development program for civil society leaders dedicated to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.

This initiative provides an unparalleled opportunity for professionals from Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and Türkiye to enhance their leadership capabilities, collaborate with like-minded peers, and strengthen advocacy efforts within their organizations.

Program Overview

SI Leader Lab is designed to empower leaders working in civil society, media, and culture by equipping them with innovative tools and collaborative networks. The SI leader program 2025 batch will bring together 100 participants from eligible countries, fostering cross-regional knowledge exchange and leadership development.

Participants will engage in a mix of online workshops, coaching sessions, and an intensive onsite learning week in Stockholm. The program also offers an optional change project component, allowing participants to apply their learning directly to their organizations.

SI Leader Scholarship Benefits

Selected participants will gain:

• Enhanced Leadership Skills: Develop self-awareness and team leadership capabilities.
• Strengthened Advocacy Strategies: Learn to drive impactful advocacy efforts within their organizations.
• Global Networking Opportunities: Connect with experts and peers from diverse backgrounds.
• Collaborative Development: Exchange knowledge and explore innovative tools to advance civil society initiatives.
• Full Funding Coverage: The Swedish Institute will cover travel, accommodation, meals, training materials, and insurance during the onsite meeting in Stockholm.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for SI Leader Lab 2025, applicants must:

• Hold a leadership position (formal or informal) in a civil society, cultural, or media organization.
• Work in democracy, human rights, or freedom of expression fields, benefiting an eligible country.
• Be aged 22-45 (born between 1979-2003).
• Possess strong English proficiency (both written and spoken).
• Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, or Ukraine.
• Commit to full participation in all program activities and be willing to implement acquired skills within their organization.

Program Timeline 2025

• Application Period: January 21 – February 18, 2025
• Selection Process: February – March 2025
• Online Sessions & Assignments: April – June 2025
• Onsite Week in Sweden: May 4 – 10, 2025
• Diploma Ceremony (Online): June 15, 2025
• Optional Change Project Implementation: August – November 2025.

Application Process

Applicants must complete the following steps to apply:

1. Register on the application portal (Dream Apply) here https://si.se/en/apply/si-leadership-programmes/leaderlab/.
2. Select the SI Leader Lab 2025 program.
3. Complete all required sections and upload a CV.
4. Submit the application and receive confirmation.
5. Record and submit a mandatory short video answering two questions.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Relevance to Democracy, Human Rights, and Freedom of Expression
• Organizational Impact and Leadership Capacity
• Strategic Influence within the Organization
• Advocacy Involvement and Team Collaboration
• Diversity in Geographic and Gender Representation.

The last date to apply for SI Leader Lab 2025 is February 18, 2025.