+ + + Application phase 15 October 2025 until 10 December 2025 + + +

Strengthening Civil Societies

The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) funds 55 to 60 professionals and volunteers from over 40 countries with its CCP Fellowships. Fellows spend two to three months working with host organisations in Germany or CCP partner countries to broaden their expertise, build valuable networks and further develop their transcultural skills. In return, the host organisations benefit from the expertise, regional knowledge and networks of the CCP Fellows.

Participants have the opportunity to take part in transcultural workshops, networking events and professional meetings organised by the CCP. The experience gained abroad will be integrated into the work of the Fellows' home organisations upon their return.

The CCP Fellowships for 2026 will be offered as on-site Fellowships. Depending on individual circumstances and applicable travel regulations, Fellows may also opt for digital participation. The programme is subject to funding by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Prerequisites for Participation:

What are the prerequisites?

Minimum age is 23 years at the time of application
Work experience: At least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organisation in the home country
Language skills: Solid command of written and spoken English (as English is the main language of the programme, for example in the transcultural workshop)
Health status: Ability to undertake a prolonged stay abroad (If you have any questions or doubts related to this prerequisite, please contact crossculture(at)ifa.de)
Exclusion criteria: students are not eligible to participate in the programme

What is desirable?

Long-term social or community commitment
Existing or planned collaboration with an organisation in the host country
Additional language skills, particularly German

Required Documents:

Curriculum vitae in English with details about education/training, work experience, volunteering and other skills
Letter of recommendation from a supervisor in the applicant’s home organisation/workplace in the applicant’s country of origin, using this template
Photo is optional

Fellowships are principally awarded to people working in the following subjects and professional fields:

Policy and society
Media and culture
Human rights and peace
Sustainable development and climate justice

In 2026, the programme will also focus on the following key issues:

Culture of remembrance
Democratic Resilience

What Does the Funding Include?

The aim of the CCP Fellowship is to support and strengthen civil society actors in their commitment. This includes the following:

Collaboration with a host organisation from the CCP network
Mentoring for the duration of the Fellowship
Professional development opportunities (online or on-site) in the Fellows' field of work
3-4-day Transcultural Workshop
Networking with other CCP Fellowship holders
Inclusion in the CCP alums network

ifa will cover the following costs for participants from abroad:

a monthly stipend of 650 euros
round-trip airfare
accommodation
monthly public transportation ticket within the fellow’s city of residence
health insurance
reimbursement of any visa fees incurred

The programme does not provide for the accompaniment of family members such as spouses/partners or children. ifa will not assume any additional costs or responsibilities for other individuals. The amount of the scholarship is subject to funding by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Applications can be sent in until December 10 through this link here: https://applications-ccp.ifa.de/job-offers.html