The Marion Dönhoff Foundation funds a fellowship programme of the Michael Succow Foundation: The Marion Dönhoff Grant supports open and critical debates in the areas of environmental journalism, political ecology and sustainable development. It sponsors persons and organizations involved in these areas in former Soviet countries. In the spirit of Marion Dönhoff, the aim is to strengthen proactive behavior and individuals’ awareness to be jointly responsible for the common welfare. The fellowship funds a study and work visit in Germany for up to five months. Up to four persons a year are eligible to receive the grant.

Program Goals

• promoting the critical analysis and debate about issues relevant for sustainability and the environment,
• supporting a critical East-Western dialogue on environment and sustainability,
• fostering the media debate on these issues,
• supporting regional and international networks.

Integrating human rights issues in the environmental dialogue is an explicit goal.

Eligibility

The programme is a fellowship for post-graduates with professional experience and activists of civil society networks and groups. The target region are post-soviet states, including the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The fellows are supposed to work on a subject of their own choice according to the programme goals, supported by the Michael Succow Foundation.

The applicants should be between 25 and 38 years old. Good language skills in English or German (written and spoken) are required. In exceptional cases and given outstanding qualifications, applications in the Russian language can be accepted.

Application documents:

• letter of motivation (one page)
• project description of the issue to be analyzed (up to three pages)
• CV
• copy/scan of passport