Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Thessaloniki Office Green Foreign Policy Fellowship 2025-2026: Call for Applications
Green Foreign Policy Fellowship 2025: Call for Applications
The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Thessaloniki Office is proud to announce the launch of the Green Foreign Policy Fellowship for the period of July 2025 – May 2026. This fellowship presents an exceptional opportunity for scholars, practitioners, and experts to contribute to the evolving discourse on green foreign policy and progressive security strategies.
The application window will open from May 5 to May 31, 2025, at 18:00 Eastern European Time (GMT +3).
Fellowship Overview
Green foreign policy remains a largely unexplored concept, despite significant developments in environmental politics. Since the first green party entered parliament, and over two decades after the adoption of the Global Greens Charter, the concept of green foreign policy is still emerging. In today’s rapidly changing world, traditional global power structures are disintegrating, and international stability is increasingly uncertain, all while the planet teeters on the brink of climate catastrophe.
In this context, green political movements are advancing new visions for security and foreign affairs, pushing for alternatives to the realist paradigm that dominates global relations.
A recent study commissioned by the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Thessaloniki office indicates a growing trend in green political thought on foreign and security policy, with 80% of texts referencing foreign policy published between 2021 and 2024. This fellowship aims to accelerate these discussions by providing a platform for emerging thinkers to explore and promote progressive alternatives to traditional security policies.
Program Objectives
The fellowship has several key objectives:
- Learning and Networking: It offers emerging scholars, thinkers, and practitioners a chance to enhance their expertise in green foreign policy and connect with a global network of like-minded individuals. This collaborative environment will help fellows pursue their policy, research, and advocacy goals.
- Fostering Data-Driven Debate: The program seeks to enable a more informed and cross-regional debate on green foreign policy and its broader implications for international security.
- Identifying Gaps and Advancing Advocacy: Fellows will contribute to identifying pressing issues in the field and facilitating dialogue between actors who can drive these discussions forward.
- Producing Concrete Alternatives: The fellowship aims to generate new materials and research that challenge traditional security paradigms and promote a greener, more just approach to international relations.
Fellowship Expectations
Upon selection, fellows are expected to:
- Plan and Produce Material: Fellows will outline an analytical strategy, identifying goals and strategies for the fellowship. The focus during the first semester will be on material production (e.g., articles, papers), while the second semester will prioritize presenting and networking around the produced work.
- Regular Reporting: Fellows will submit brief monthly progress reports to track the advancement of their work.
- Engage on Social Media: Fellows are encouraged to actively engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s social media platforms, sharing insights, progress, and lessons learned from events or activities related to the fellowship. Each fellow will also be featured on the Foundation’s website.
- Fluency in English: Fellows must be proficient in English to fully participate in the program.
What the Fellowship Offers
- Stipend: Fellows will receive €6,000 (brutto) in the first semester to support their research and production of materials.
- Travel Costs: The Foundation will cover travel expenses associated with fellowship activities to the extent possible.
- Visa Assistance: If required, the Foundation will assist with visa applications by providing an official letter of invitation. However, it cannot guarantee visa processing times.
- Visibility: The Heinrich Böll Foundation will promote fellows on various platforms, enhancing their visibility within the green foreign policy field and amplifying their work.
- Alumni Network: Upon completion of the fellowship, participants will join a growing network of progressive thinkers committed to advancing green foreign and security policies. Fellows will be awarded the title of Green Foreign Policy Scholar and gain access to the Thessaloniki Alumni Network.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship seeks candidates with a strong interest in developing a progressive foreign policy narrative through a green lens. Ideal applicants may have expertise in:
- Academia and Research: Scholars from academic institutions, think tanks, or other research-oriented organizations working on green foreign policy or international relations theory.
- Policy and Practice: Practitioners, including elected officials, policy advisors, or diplomats, who have experience implementing or advising on green foreign policy or feminist foreign policy at national or international levels.
We encourage young graduates with a bachelor’s degree in political science or international relations, as well as more experienced applicants, including current or prospective PhD students, PhD holders, or practitioners.
Application Instructions
To apply, candidates must submit:
- Curriculum Vitae: In Europass format, not exceeding three pages.
- Motivation Letter: A brief statement (max 300 words) explaining why the fellowship is an ideal opportunity for the applicant.
- Concept Note: A two-page outline describing the major challenge the applicant plans to address within the scope of green foreign and security policy, their proposed approach, and concrete steps to tackle it.
Selection Process
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a brief online interview in June 2025. Early applications (before May 15) will be prioritized.
Inclusive Fellowship
The Heinrich Böll Foundation particularly welcomes applications from non-male, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled candidates. The Foundation is also committed to ensuring a safe, respectful environment by implementing policies against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
About the Heinrich Böll Foundation
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is an international organization with offices in 35 countries. The Thessaloniki office focuses on socio-ecological transformation, working on energy democracy, human rights, gender equality, and participatory processes. The Foundation’s Foreign & Security Policy Programme fosters new narratives, exploring feminist and green foreign policy alternatives to dominant international relations paradigms.
Application Deadline: 31 May 2025 at 18:00 Eastern European Time (GMT +3).
