SAYP 2025: Just Transition for Human Rights, Resilience, Inclusion, Value, and Equity
Application Deadline: 26 August 2025
The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) invites ambitious young professionals to apply for the JUST THRIVE module of the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP). This unique learning opportunity focuses on just transitions, exploring the intersection of human rights, climate change, displacement, responsible business conduct, and gender equality.
This module is part of the Swedish Institute’s flagship capacity development programme designed to strengthen public administration and civil society in the Eastern Partnership region and beyond.
Programme Structure
Part 1: Preparatory Online Learning
November 2025 – February 2026
Delivered through RWI’s digital learning platform and human rights library, the self-paced component includes:
- Introduction to Human Rights
- Human Rights-Based Approach Essentials for the Climate Change, Disaster, and Human Mobility Nexus
- Human Rights of Women in the Context of Climate Change and Displacement
- Responsible Business Conduct
Part 2: In-Person Training Programme in Lund, Sweden
March 2026
Location: RWI Headquarters, Lund, Sweden
9-day training
Participants will engage with leading experts from RWI and Yerevan State University (YSU) through a dynamic programme that combines lectures, case studies, study visits, and group work. Topics include:
- Human rights-based approaches in climate and disaster governance
- Environmental justice and displacement
- EU democracy support and sustainability strategies
- Business and human rights, CSR, and gender equality in corporate value chains
- Proposal writing and EU funding mechanisms
Part 3: Follow-up Activity and Mentorship
April – November 2026
Participants will be matched with mentors from RWI and YSU based on their project themes. The four most outstanding projects will be selected for a showcase event in Yerevan, Armenia. The selected participants will be invited to Yerevan for a two-day event hosted at the Centre for European Studies, YSU, where they will present their results to a wide audience of local stakeholders, experts, and peers.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen or resident of Armenia, Azerbaijan*, Belarus*, Georgia*, Moldova, Ukraine
- Be 25–40 years old (born 1985–2000)
- Have completed at least 3 years of higher education
- Have strong written and spoken English
- Be currently employed in one of the following sectors:
- Policymaking (politicians, government officials, employees of political parties)
- Public service (non-political civil servants working at public organisations)
- Civil society representatives (CSO/NGO employees)
- Private sector (especially leaders or CSR professionals)
*Note: In Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Georgia, only applicants from civil society are eligible. Public servants and policymakers are not eligible.
Application Process
To apply and to download the required application templates, please visit: Swedish Institute’s official website
Send completed applications and any inquiries to Nvard Minasyan: nvard.minasyan@rwi.lu.se
Deadline for applications: 26 August 2025
For more details, visit the Swedish Institute’s official website
Participation in SAYP is free of charge.
All costs, including meals, accommodation and travel in case of on-site activities, are covered by the Swedish Institute. SI also provides health insurance for the participants from the countries outside of the EU, covering the period of their stay in Sweden.
