Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) 2025

Are you a young changemaker from Eastern Europe looking to enhance your leadership capacity and contribute to democratic development? The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) 2025 is now open for applications!

Organised by the Swedish Institute (SI), SAYP is a prestigious training programme designed to empower professionals from the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries with the skills, networks, and tools needed to drive democratic reform and EU integration in their home countries.

The 2025 edition of SAYP focuses on equipping participants with innovative approaches to governance, public administration, civil society, and private sector collaboration — all aligned with the goal of sustainable societal change.

Programme Details

Host Organisation: Swedish Institute (SI)
Programme Name: SI Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) – Eastern Europe 2025
Location: Sweden (virtual/in-person depending on module)
Application Deadline: August 26, 2025
Target Region: Eastern Partnership countries
Funding: Fully Funded (no participation cost)

What Does SAYP Offer?

Participants will receive:

Expert-led training and workshops tailored to their sector
Exposure to a cross-sectoral learning environment
Practical tools for applying new skills in your organisation
Opportunities to build a strong professional and peer network
Access to the exclusive SI Alumni Network
Ongoing access to learning materials and follow-up opportunities

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for SAYP 2025, you must:

Be a citizen or legal resident of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, or Ukraine
Be aged 25 to 40 (born between 1985 and 2000)
Have at least three years of higher education
Possess strong English language skills (spoken and written)
Be currently employed in one of the following sectors:
- Public sector (government officials, civil servants, or political party employees)
- Civil society (NGOs, CSOs, and social initiatives)
- Private sector (especially in leadership or innovation roles)
Have the mandate and motivation to influence change in your organisation or community
Your professional experience should be relevant to the thematic area of the SAYP module you apply for

Note: Applicants from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Georgia must be from the civil society sector due to country-specific participation conditions.

Thematic Areas

Each year, different thematic modules are hosted by Swedish partner universities and institutions. Topics typically include:

Democratic governance
Public service innovation
Human rights and rule of law
Sustainable development and the green transition
Digital transformation and civic tech

Modules are designed to be interactive, collaborative, and based on real-world challenges in the Eastern Partnership region.

How to Apply

Ready to join a transformative network of young professionals across Eastern Europe?

Click here to apply

Be sure to:

Select the module most relevant to your professional work
Provide a compelling motivation for how you will use the knowledge gained
Complete your application before the deadline on August 26, 2025

Final Thoughts

The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) is more than a leadership course — it’s a platform for impact. By joining this programme, you will become part of a vibrant, cross-border network of future leaders committed to innovation, reform, and democracy.

Don’t miss this chance to learn, grow, and lead!

Visit our Fellowships section to explore more opportunities