OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM INITIATIVE calls for proposals for visiting fellowships to EU based think tanks under the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine)

Call for Proposals

Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI)

LGI Visiting Fellowships

Policy Think Tank Bridging Initiative

Introduction

The Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) is seeking applications for one year fellowships aimed at ensuring that decision making and negotiation processes in the EU vis-à-vis the EaP countries is informed and influenced by independent civil society researchers from EaP countries.  

• To learn more about the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative see: http://lgi.osi.hu/
• To learn more about the Open Society Institute see: http://www.soros.org/

Deadline for applications: 29 January 2010

Fellows from independent policy institutes in the six Eastern Partnership countries and Russia will connect with well-established think-tanks in EU countries with a track record of working on EU external relations and a clear interest in Eastern Partnership countries. Every fellowship will be tailor designed around a specific issue under the Eastern Partnership priority list (visa liberalization, trade and economic policy, cross border cooperation, conflict resolution, democratization, energy security, environmental sustainability).

When applicable, fellows and hosting institutions will be invited to consult with respective national government and relevant EU institutions or governments in order to agree on the mechanism of co-operation prior to enrolment in the fellowship program. Fellowship proposals will be submitted jointly by an individual expert and a hosting EU think tank. 

LGI Visiting Fellows will work with the hosting institute throughout the year and spend no less than two months in the office of the hosting think tank. Preference will be given to fellowships focusing on specific Eastern Partnership agreements between the EU and one or more EaP countries. For experts, the fellowships will provide mentoring and networking opportunities that would not be available in their own country. For hosting institutions, the fellowships will provide access to local resources in terms of knowledge, communication with the government and civil society, as well as intellectual contribution to ongoing research projects. For national governments, the fellowships will provide an opportunity to raise awareness about local needs and priorities among EU community of researchers, public servants and politicians. For the EU, the fellowships will provide an opportunity to have an independent, reliable source of research and analysis for negotiations on specific Eastern Partnership agreements with EaP country governments.

Visiting Fellows will visit Budapest to get acquainted with LGI staff and OSI Budapest programs. Part of the three day visit will be a non-mandatory Writing Effective Policy Papers training. European experts will also be involved in trainings and workshops on European issues and EU decision making processes. Such training will be tailored around specific needs of fellows and policy think tanks.

Maximum project budget: The maximum budget of each fellowship can be USD 12,000.  This money is intended to cover up to a 12-month stipend and the travel and living costs associated with the 2 month stay at a policy think tank in the EU.  As noted in the attached budget sheet the funds can be spent on the following activities:

Stipend - for surveys, research, meetings and discussions with key stakeholders, policy paper writing, advocacy at national level, working and communications with partner EU think tanks);

Accommodation in EU and Visa - for travel to EU and living costs during 2 month stay at a policy think tank in the EU.

Follow the link to obtain further information on rationale, objectives, eligible fields of activities, submission procedures and terms for fellowship.

Download LGI visiting fellows' budget

Download Supporting Document - LGI Policy Bridging Initiative Description

Not an EaP country.