The second Academy will focus on the economic development of Eastern Europe and discuss modern industrial policy, new ways of generating growth and redistribution as well as creating a sustainable, future-oriented economic basis for post-soviet countries by focusing on new technologies and possible reindustrialization. Ukraine, which is ongoing a unique process of reforming and re-thinking its economic policy, is an interesting case study of how in such a process social democratic policies could be implemented.

Goals of the program:

  • The Academy is primarily aimed at around 25 candidates who are committed to social democratic values, and who are interested in strengthening the political dialogue between their nations and the bilateral relations of their home countries with Germany and the European Union.
  • Besides promoting peaceful dialogue, mutual understanding, and the exchange of social democratic policies the academy offers participatory workshops on practical key competences and soft skills.
  • Furthermore, the program will provide a deep insight into the political situation of Ukraine and high level discussions with politicians and civil society experts.
  • The Academy is based on a growing, sustainable network of Eastern European future leaders who are willing to facilitate dialogue orientated processes in connecting young, committed, and progressive people who are open to find new ideas on how to cooperate within Europe.

Program overview

  • The Academy takes place four times per year in different countries of the region with changing topics and workshops. In the first edition in Germany in November 2016 the
    project contained planning knowledge in the soft skills part and principles of social and democratic foreign policy in the knowledge part. The second Academy will focus on the economic aspects of countries development. Mainly, on the reindustrialization of the economy on the example of Ukraine. In the knowledge part we plan a workshop on mediation and conflict resolution.
  • Participants of the first Academy are welcome to apply once again. The sustainable work with alumni as well as the creation of a strong progressive network within the project region plays a significant role and requires a long-term commitment by the participants. That includes willingness and competence in organizing political contact programs in your country on the national and regional layer – together with the organizers of the program. In future, we plan to launch every academy by half alumni participants and half new participants.
  • The overall working language is English. All costs related to the program will be covered by the organizers.

Candidates’ requirements for participation

  • Citizenship of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, the Russian Federation, or Ukraine.
  • Between 25 and 35 years of age.
  • Command of English language.
  • Young leader in a progressive political party or a social democratic youth organization; young member of Parliament, junior government official or activist in civil society.
  • Willingness to support organizing an interesting and target orientated program in the candidate’s own country for the other participants of the program when the academy will take place there.
  • Willingness to actively take part in alumni activities to support creating a growing, sustainable network of alumni.

Process of application

  • To apply, please fill in the application form https://goo.gl/forms/iff3SG1Giy3KwY6P2 by 20th of January, 2017 and submit your CV to Dr. Olga Melykh (olga.melykh[at]fes-dee.org.
  • Short listed candidates will be invited to a Skype interview throughout January 2017.
    Please note that the organizers aim to ensure a gender balance of participants in the program.