Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) Baltic Sea Region and Eastern partnership countries

The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) is a training programme developed to build awareness, capacity and resilience in the practice of governance. Are you a young professional in the selected regions and want to deepen your knowledge about modern sustainable governance? This is the programme for you.

Open for applications until 5 April

Overview

The Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) is a training programme developed to build new networks, knowledge and practices for increased transparency, efficiency and resilience in public administration. The programme also aims to strengthen your individual capabilities to meet the requirements of a modern governance structure. As a SAYP participant, you will be able to expand your own contact networks and share ideas, experiences and challenges with other like-minded professionals.  

SAYP is a collaboration between the Swedish Institute (SI) and Swedish universities, responsible for developing and organising training modulesThe modules rely on a mix of modern teaching methods with emphasis on interactivity, collaboration and problem-based learningThe training programme may include webinars, interactive lectures, small-group discussions, study visits and other learning activities allowing to deepen and practice your knowledge. 

For SAYP 2024 it is possible to apply for the following thematic modules within SAYP:   

  • Cooperation beyond Borders – Transnational Public Administration and Organizing (TPAO), Södertörn university
  • Migration and Integration: Challenges and Good Practices for the Development of Inclusive Societies,  Gothenburg university & Georgian Institute of Public Affairs
     
  • Perspectives on Multi-level Governance, Decentralisation & Human Rights, Lund university
  • Sustainable e-Government for Resilient and Innovative Democratic Public Administration (SeGRID), Linköping university
  • Green Transition for Low-Carbon and Resilient Societies, Lund University
  • Inclusive leadership and youth work in the Eastern Partnership, Stiftelsen Fryshuset
  • Policy Integration and Transparency Practices in a Digital Era, Halmstad University

To learn more about the timelines and structure of specific modules, please visit the websites of the respective host universities via the links under ‘Apply’. 

SAYP will give you: 

  • Opportunity to develop your professional skills 
  • Tools to apply in your own organisations and local contexts 
  • Knowledge within sustainable modern governance 
  • Experience of cross-sectorial work environment
  • Personal and professional network 
  • Membership in the SI Alumni Network 
  • Exclusive access to tools for continued learning

Can I apply? 

You can apply to SAYP if you:

  • Are a citizen of or resident in one of the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus*, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Sweden, 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 1984 – 1999)
  • 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
  • Have the mandate, ambition and potential to drive change within your organisation
  • Your professional profile is relevant for the thematic content of the module of your choice and the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern partnership countries

*Due to the current situation in Belarus, SI took the decision that, as of 1 October 2020, we will not provide financial support to Belarusian state employees for on-site activities within SAYP. As a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ active cooperation in it, it is either no longer possible for the state employees from Belarus to participate in the on-line activities within SAYP.

SAYP is also conducted in Western Balkans. Find more information about the programme here.

 

How to apply

FAQ

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"In a really short period of time, you will be able to expand your vision, expand your connections, your network, and even build a really interesting and fun project with your new international colleagues."
Dan Nicorici
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After the programme, I try to keep the concept in mind how we could work with innovation more in the public sector. Maybe my office can set an example. The programme gave me inspiration and also motivation to think more about these things. But also, a broader knowledge about what sustainability actually is and how I can be a part of it. It is more than green thinking.
Angelika Lebedev
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The Academy helped me understand how a human rights-based approach might make our projects more beneficial to the people we try to help. This is where the programme filled my knowledge gaps the most. It’s a new perspective for public health workers in Armenia.
Samvel Grigoryan
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