Through the Minorities Fellowship Programme, the OHCHR aims to give persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities an opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with international human rights in general and minority rights in particular. The Minorities Fellowship Programme is intended to assist organizations and communities in protecting and promoting the rights of minorities the fellows belong to.
Application Deadline: 8th December 2023
Eligible Countries: Countries with citizens from a minority group
To Be Taken At (Country): Geneva, Switzerland
About the Award: Launched in 2005, the Minorities Fellowship Programme (MFP) is OHCHR’s most comprehensive training programme for human rights and minority rights defenders belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
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At the end of the MFP, the fellows should have a general knowledge of the United Nations system, international human rights instruments and mechanisms in general and those relevant to minorities in particular. Fellows should also be capable of further training their communities/organizations.
The Programme further serves as an opportunity for human rights activists working towards the protection and promotion of minority rights to expand their partners’ base. They do this by building a strategic dialogue with fellow activists from across the globe, the United Nations, and relevant Geneva-based NGOs, amongst other partners.
The Programme is offered in three linguistic components: English, Russian, and Arabic.
The MFP takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. Fellows are entitled to:
- a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva;
- basic health insurance for the duration of the Programme; and
- a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.
Type: Fellowship
Eligibility: The candidate must belong to a national, ethnic, linguistic or religious minority group (persons who do not belong to a minority group will not be taken into consideration, even if they have close links with minority communities and/or organizations).
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: The Programme is offered in three linguistic components: English, Russian, and Arabic.
The MFP takes place in Geneva, Switzerland. Fellows are entitled to:
- a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva;
- basic health insurance for the duration of the Programme; and
- a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.
How to Apply: Fellowship application forms are available in English | Russian | Arabic.
Both parts I and II of the application form must be filled in and signed. In addition, application forms need to be accompanied by an official recommendation letter from the nominating organization or community. Fellowship applications will only be taken into consideration if they are fully completed.
Interested candidates should submit their application indicating “Application to the 2024 Minorities Fellowship Programme” as subject either by e-mail* to [email protected] or by post to:
Mr. Morse Caoagas Flores
Coordinator, Indigenous & Minorities Fellowship Programmes
Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
48, Avenue Giuseppe-Motta, Office 2-05
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
*E-mailed applications must be signed, scanned and submitted as a single PDF file.
Any questions pertaining to the Minorities Fellowship Programme can be directed to the addresses mentioned above.
Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Visit Programme Webpage for Details
