Hurford Youth Fellows Program
– Building Youth Activists’ Leadership Skills –
INFORMATION BOOKLET AND APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Fellowship Term
March 1 – May 31, 2021
Application Deadline: 1 July, 2020
ABOUT the HOST AND SPONSOR ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit organization created in 1983 to
strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. NED is governed by an independent, nonpartisan board of directors. With its annual congressional appropriation, it makes hundreds of grants each year to support pro-democracy groups in Africa, Asia, Eurasia,
Latin America, and the Middle East.
WORLD MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY & WORLD YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
The World Movement for Democracy is a global network that brings together democracy activists,
practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders. NED initiated this nongovernmental effort in
February 1999 at a global Assembly in New Delhi, India, to strengthen democracy where it is weak, to
reform and invigorate democracy even where it is longstanding, and to bolster pro-democracy groups
in countries that have not yet entered into a process of democratic transition.
At the Third Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in South Africa in 2004, a group of
young democracy and human rights activists from around the world came together to found the
World Youth Movement for Democracy to support each other, build solidarity, and develop sustainable democratic and human rights movements by empowering a younger generation.
Today, the Youth Movement serves as a platform for young democracy activists. It provides a space
for young activists to build relationships with each other, to collaborate across borders, to deepen
their knowledge on key issues by sharing information, and to develop practical skills. Like the World
Movement, the Youth Movement supports youth participation in efforts to strengthen democracy in
their countries.
THE HURFORD FOUNDATION
The Hurford Foundation was established to honor the late John B. Hurford (1938 – 2000), an internationalist and philanthropist who played an important role in helping to conceptualize and realize
the World Movement for Democracy. For many years, the Hurford Foundation has been an important supporter of the World Movement for Democracy and the World Youth Movement for Democracy. The Hurford Foundation generously supports the Hurford Youth Fellows Program.
INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR DEMOCRATIC STUDIES
NED established the International Forum for Democratic Studies (the Forum) in 1994 in response to
the need for sustained and serious analysis of democracy’s problems and prospects throughout the
world. Since then, the Forum has become the preeminent center for the study of the theoretical and
practical aspects of democratic development worldwide. Through its fellowship programs, its publication of the quarterly Journal of Democracy, and its public seminars and symposia, the Forum enhances efforts to foster and improve democracy while also making important contributions to the field of
comparative democratic studies.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
HURFORD YOUTH FELLOWS PROGRAM
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 Hurford
program, two young activists per year spend three months at NED, 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 and the World Youth Movement
for Democracy in particular. Fellows will be expected to organize online discussion 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 democracy themes:
Defending Democratic Space
Freedoms are increasingly restricted for people who wish to voice their concerns, come together, and
address those concerns by engaging stakeholders. In both physical and digital spaces, they face limitations on where they can meet, how they can interact, and what they can say or do. This is particularly
true under authoritarian regimes, but also under new and established democracies where minority
views are marginalized. As a result, citizens have less influence in political processes that impact their
lives and are unable to hold their governments accountable. CLICK HERE to learn more about the
World Movement for Democracy’s initiatives, activities, and alerts that support ‘Defending Democratic Space.’
Promoting Inclusive Governance
The World Movement aims to strengthen inclusive democratic governance with an emphasis on empowering emerging leaders that are committed to democratic principles. As part of this effort, the
World Movement facilitates engagement among emerging leaders from civil society and political parties; exploring constructive ways to enhance their political participation; building effective partnerships between civil society, government, and the private sector; and sustaining democratic movements that influence policy making and institutional reforms. CLICK HERE to learn more about the
World Movement for Democracy’s initiatives, activities, and alerts that support ‘Promoting Inclusive
Governance.’
Strengthening Democratic Leadership
The next generation of democratic leadership plays a crucial role in sustaining and advancing democracy. The World Movement believes in the importance of inter-generational dialogue and facilitates
exchange of ideas and experiences between seasoned leaders and emerging leaders. CLICK HERE to
learn more about the World Movement for Democracy’s initiatives, activities, and news and alerts that
support ‘Strengthening Democratic Leadership.’
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/World Youth Movement social media posts
Take part in planning and implementing other activities of the World Movement/World Youth
Movement; and
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 research 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 World Youth Movement activities.
Eligibility: Applicants interested in the Hurford Youth Fellows Program must be no older than 30
years of age. They must demonstrate 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.
Please Note: The Hurford Youth Fellows Program is open to applicants from any country. It does
not provide scholarship funds or any other type of financial aid to university or graduate students,
nor is it designed to support postdoctoral research. The program is not an educational program offering academic courses leading toward a degree. In addition, it does not provide financial support
to those seeking to complete professional training programs, attend conferences, or pursue internships at other organizations.
English Language Requirement: 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, the World Youth Movement’s Leadership Board, 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.
Residency Requirements: Fellows are expected to work full-time on their fellowship projects at
the NED office in Washington, D.C. Fellows may not hold any other fellowships or be otherwise employed during the fellowship period without the express permission of World Movement Secretariat
staff. Additional fellowships or work opportunities that coincide with the fellowship period must be
brought to the attention of World Movement Secretariat staff prior to the candidate’s acceptance of a
Hurford Fellowship. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the fellowship.
Hurford Youth fellowships are not designed to support extensive fieldwork outside the Washington,
D.C., area. The program recognizes the importance of establishing ties with counterparts elsewhere in
the United States and abroad and understands that professional obligations may sometimes necessitate domestic or international travel. However, no funds will be available to support fellows’ professional travel. Fellows are expected to be in residence at the NED for the entirety of the fellowship period in order to take full advantage of the professional resources available in D.C.
Fellowship Support and Services: Each fellow will receive a monthly stipend for living expenses,
plus basic health insurance and roundtrip travel to and from Washington, D.C. Stipends take into account the cost of living in Washington, D.C. Fellows are provided with a fully equipped office, including internet and email access, and a limited budget for fellowship-related long-distance phone calls.
The World Movement Secretariat staff plays a vital role in helping fellows realize their fellowship objectives by collaborating with them on their fellowship projects and engaging them in ongoing discussions about their work.
NED houses a Democracy Resource Center (DRC), which includes a library with some 20,000 works,
including books, journals, grantee reports, and other publications on democracy. The DRC’s expert
staff members assist fellows with their research interests. Fellows may enjoy access to other local libraries as needed.
Cost of Living and Dependents: Applicants should bear in mind that the cost of living (housing,
furniture, food, and other essential living expenses) in the Washington metropolitan area is very high
and that fellowship stipends are not calculated to cover the financial needs of a family. Fellows who
wish to bring family members with them to Washington, D.C. will be expected to cover the costs of
their dependents’ roundtrip travel and stay within the United States. The program does not ordinarily cover costs associated with dependents’ health insurance. Please note that all dependents traveling
to the Unites States on a J-2 dependent visa will be required to have basic health insurance coverage
for the full period of their stay.
Visa Issues: Prior to their arrival in the United States, prospective fellows who are neither citizens
nor permanent residents of the United States must secure a J-1 exchange visitor visa. The International Forum for Democratic Studies assists fellows with the documentation needed to obtain visas.
Office Location and Contact Information: The National Endowment for Democracy is based in
downtown Washington, D.C., at 1025 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20004. Centrally located near
the White House, the U.S. Congress, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian Institution, our office
building sits above Metro Center, one of the major subway stations of the Washington metropolitan
area.
For further information, please contact:
World Movement for Democracy Secretariat
National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
USA
Tel.: +1-202-378-9700
E-mail: youthfellows@ned.org
Website : www.movedemocracy.org
PART II: APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Fellowship Term
March 1 – May 31, 2021
APPLICATION DEADLINE: All application materials must be submitted by 1 July, 2020.
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION: Applicants are asked to submit the following:
Applicant Form;
C.V./Resume; and
Two Letters of Recommendation
All application materials should be uploaded in the application portal.
*If you applied last year, you will need to create a new profile using a new email address.
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS: The Applicant Form has four sections: (1) Personal
Information; (2) Project Proposal; (3) Curriculum Vitae/Résumé; and (4) Two Letters of Recommendation. Each applicant must complete the entire Form. Please note that incomplete application
forms will not be reviewed.
Project Proposal: Your project proposal is the most important part of your fellowship application.
It should be clear, concise, and comprehensible to individuals outside your own field or concentration. Your proposal must correspond to one of the following three Democracy themes:
Defending Democratic Space
Freedoms are increasingly restricted for people who wish to voice their concerns, come together, and
address those concerns by engaging stakeholders. In both physical and digital spaces, they face limitations on where they can meet, how they can interact, and what they can say or do. This is particularly
true under authoritarian regimes, but also under new and established democracies where minority
views are marginalized. As a result, citizens have less influence in political processes that impact their
lives and are unable to hold their governments accountable. CLICK HERE to learn more about the
World Movement for Democracy’s initiatives, activities, and alerts that support ‘Defending Democratic Space.’
Promoting Inclusive Governance
The World Movement aims to strengthen inclusive democratic governance with an emphasis on empowering emerging leaders that are committed to democratic principles. As part of this effort, the
World Movement facilitates engagement among emerging leaders from civil society and political parties; exploring constructive ways to enhance their political participation; building effective partnerships between civil society, government, and the private sector; and sustaining democratic movements that influence policy making and institutional reforms. CLICK HERE to learn more about the
World Movement for Democracy’s initiatives, activities, and alerts that support ‘Promoting Inclusive
Governance.’
Strengthening Democratic Leadership
The next generation of democratic leadership plays a crucial role in sustaining and advancing democracy. The World Movement believes in the importance of inter-generational dialogue and facilitates
exchange of ideas and experiences between seasoned leaders and emerging leaders. CLICK HERE to
learn more about the World Movement for Democracy’s initiatives, activities, and news and alerts that
support ‘Strengthening Democratic Leadership.’
Your proposal, in no more than 1200 words, should describe steps you will take to organize and complete your fellowship projects (online discussions, research, strategic meetings). In your proposal,
please ensure that you respond to the following specific questions:
1. Of the three democracy themes outlined above, what is your proposed research topic for your
fellowship project?
2. What are three specific online discussion topics or questions under your research topic?
3. How would you conduct research and develop information materials that could be used for
broader dissemination and/or online discussions?
4. How would you contribute to the further development of the World Youth Movement for Democracy?
5. How would you benefit professionally from your time in Washington and what will that mean
for your organization?
Strong proposals will exhibit the following characteristics:
– A clear focus and rationale, with practical relevance for strengthening the participation of
youth in democracies.
– The outline of a well-defined approaches to your selected theme, with tangible benefits to colleagues and counterparts in your field.
– A concentration on two or more regions. Remember this is a global fellowship where you are
expected to learn from other democracy movements and cultivate relationships with your peers
around the world.
Curriculum Vitae/Résumé: Please prepare a curriculum vitae or résumé and upload it in section
4 of the application portal. Your curriculum vitae or résumé should highlight your relevant professional experience, educational background, community service, and/or extra-curricular activities.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFEREES
Thank you for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation for an applicant to the Hurford Youth Fellows Program at the World Movement for Democracy. Your frank appraisal of the applicant and their
fellowship project proposal will greatly help us in our selection process. For more information on the
Hurford Youth Fellows Program, please go to www.movedemocracy.org
Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
We would greatly appreciate your candid comments on the following:
The length of time and context in which you have known the applicant
Your opinion of his or her background, qualifications, accomplishments, and experiences
Your appraisal of the proposed project and the applicant’s ability to complete it on time
Your views on the suitability of the applicant and his/her project to the Hurford Youth Fellows
Program
Any other information you feel is important to share concerning the candidate
Submit your letter of recommendation:
Once the applicant identifies their referees and provides their email addresses within the application portal, an automated email will be sent to the referee’s email address. The automated email will give the referees login credentials to access the application portal in order to upload the letters of recommendation.
Letters of recommendation must be submitted in English or accompanied by an English translation.
Please format your letter as a MS Word Document (.doc) or Adobe PDF (.pdf). Please note that letters of
recommendation should not be shared with applicants.
Deadline: The deadline to submit your letter of recommendation is 1 July, 2020.
For any technical problems, please email youthfellows@ned.org
For questions or further information, please contact:
World Movement for Democracy Secretariat
National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
Tel.: 202-378-9700
E-mail: youthfellows@ned.org
Website: www.movedemocracy.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE OPEN THIS LINK
https://www.nedfellowships.org/Start/Hurford
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