Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) Eastern Europe
The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) is a training program designed to build awareness, capacity, and resilience in the practice of democratic governance and EU integration. This program empowers young professionals from the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries with skills, networks, and inspiration to drive change in their organizations and home countries.
📖 About the Program
The SAYP program aims to:
- Strengthen democratic governance.
- Support EU integration for countries within the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
- Equip participants with tools and knowledge to address pressing societal issues.
The program includes thematic modules conducted annually by organizers funded by the Swedish Institute (SI). These modules foster competence in areas relevant to societal challenges and the overall goals of SAYP.
🎁 Benefits
Participants in the SAYP program will receive the following benefits:
- Development of professional skills.
- Tools applicable to their organizations and local contexts.
- Experience in a cross-sectorial work environment.
- Access to a personal and professional network.
- Membership in the SI Alumni Network.
- Exclusive access to tools for continued learning.
- Free participation in the program.
- Coverage of all costs, including:
- Meals, accommodation, and travel (for on-site activities).
- Health insurance for participants from non-EU countries during their stay in Sweden.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the SAYP program, applicants must:
- Be a citizen or resident of one of the following countries:
- Armenia, Azerbaijan*, Belarus*, Georgia*, Moldova, Ukraine.
- Have a good command of English (spoken and written).
- Hold a relevant higher education degree (minimum of three years of study).
- Be aged 25–40 (born between 1985–2000).
- Be currently employed in one of the following groups:
- Policymakers (e.g., politicians, government officials, employees of political parties).
- Public servants (e.g., non-political civil servants working in public organizations).
- Civil society workers (e.g., CSO/NGO employees).
- Leaders within the private sector.
- Have the mandate, ambition, and potential to drive change within their organization and home country.
- Have a professional profile relevant to the thematic content of their chosen module.
Note: Participants from Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Georgia can only apply if they are from civil society organizations.
📝 Application Process
Required Documents:
- CV
- Motivation Letter
- Reference Letter
- English Language Certificate
Steps to Apply:
- Select a SAYP module via the website of the respective organizer (host university).
- Submit a separate application with a unique motivation letter for each module you choose.
- If applying for more than one program, rank your preferences in the motivation letter. You can only be admitted to one program.
- It is recommended to apply for no more than two programs that align with your interests and professional role.
For more details on the application process, visit the official website.
📅 Key Dates
- Date Published: June 26, 2025
- Application Deadline: August 26, 2025
🌍 Opportunity Location
The program will take place in Sweden.
ℹ️ Additional Information
The program is sponsored by the Swedish Institute (SI). For further details, visit the official program page.
Take this opportunity to enhance your skills, build networks, and contribute to democratic governance and EU integration in your region!
- Opportunity to develop your professional skills
- Tools to apply in your own organisations and local contexts
- Experience of cross-sectorial work environment
- Personal and professional network
- Membership in the SI Alumni Network
- Exclusive access to tools for continued learning
- 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.
