Sweden Opens Applications for SAYP 2025

The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) is a training programme developed to build awareness, capacity and resilience in the practice of democratic governance and for EU integration.  

SI Academy for Young Professionals is a training programme at the Swedish Institute that aims to empower young professionals from countries within the EU’s Eastern Partnership with skills, networks and inspiration to be able to implement and drive change work in their respective organisations and home countries. The long-term objective of the programme is to contribute to strengthened democratic governance and EU integration for countries within the EU’s Eastern Partnership.

Within SAYP, a number of different thematic programmes are carried out annually by the organisers who have been granted project funding for this purpose by SI. The programmes bring together groups of participants and work to strengthen their competence in subjects that have bearing on pressing societal issues and challenges, linked to the overall goal of SAYP.

Eligibility:

You can apply to SAYP if you:

• Are a citizen of or resident in one of the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine
• Have a good command of English, both spoken and written
• Have a relevant higher education (at least three years of study)
• Are between 25 – 40 (born 1985 – 2000)
• Are currently employed in one of the following groups:

1. Policymakers (politicians, government officials, employees of political parties)
2. Public servants (non-political civil servants working at public organisations)
3. Civil society workers (CSO/NGO employees)
4. Leaders within the private sector

Note: Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia can only receive participants from civil society

• Have the mandate, ambition and potential to drive change within your organisation and home country
• Your professional profile is relevant for the thematic content of the module of your choice

Program Dates:

• Application process: 17 June 2025 - 26 Aug 2025
• Evaluation of applications: 27 Aug 2025 - 15 Oct 2025
• Admission: 16 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025

What’s Covered:

• 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.

Application process:

• You can apply for a SAYP module via the website of the respective organiser (host university). If you apply for more than one training programme, it is very important to rank the programmes in order of your preference in the motivation letter, as you can only be admitted to one of them. You need to submit a separate application with a unique letter of motivation for each module you have chosen. We recommend that you apply for not more than two programmes corresponding to your interests and professional role.

List of modules:

As part of the programme, several thematic modules will be hosted by leading Swedish universities and institutes, each focusing on urgent governance and inclusion challenges. Below is a list of modules to which eligible applicants from Azerbaijan and the region can apply, depending on their professional background and interests.

Halmstad University, Policy Integration and Transparency Practices in a Digital Era (Policytransparency)

Jönköping International Business School, Enhancing Governance and Accountability: Towards EU Integration in the Public Sector (EGAP)

Linköping University, Equality, Rights and Inclusion Knowledge: A Gender Equality Training Programme (ERIK)

Linköping University, Strengthening Trust, Resilience, and Institutions of Digital Democracy in Europe (STRIDE)

Malmö university, How to make participatory governance work, PARTGOV

Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Just Transition for Human Rights, Resilience, Inclusion, Value, and Equity (JUST THRIVE)

Stiftelsen Fryshuset, Inclusive Leadership and Youth Work in the Eastern Partnership

Stockholm School of Economics, Change and Negotiation for Democratic Integration (CANDI)

Södertörn University, Cooperation beyond Borders – Transnational Public Administration and Organising

Required documents:

• Europass CV
• Motivation letter
• Reference letter
• English language certificate

Important notes:

• You need to submit a separate application with a unique letter of motivation for each module you have chosen. You apply on the website of the respective university.
• Successful candidates will be notified in October, the timing may vary slightly from programme to programme, kindly visit the site of the programme you are interested in for more information.
• It is not possible to apply as a student, or volunteer and intern.

For more information, the link to the offical website is provided below.