International Sustainability Academy Scholarship Program 2022 for Young Professionals

International Sustainability Academy Scholarship is a project of the Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald Lv. Hamburg e.V. (SDW) [The Protective Association for the German Forest] and is located in Hamburg in the WÄLDERHAUS. The goal is to support and strengthen international cooperation in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Available resources and network structures of the SDW can and should be used effectively. In this way the Academy creates the link between work at local level and international exchange. In the first instance the planned project goals should be new solutions in climate protection.

The scholarship is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is aimed at interested parties in emerging countries and economies on the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list.The international transfer of knowledge shall help the 12 scholarship-holders to further develop their existing special fields and/or existing projects in terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of particular importance and given priority are activities in respect of climate protection in their home countries. The primary objective is the discernible use in the home country through the continuation of the projects and/or the perspectives, solution approaches and contacts acquired during the course of the scholarship. Their projects must be put into the context of one or more SDGs. Ongoing exchange between the Academy and the scholarship- holders is therefore essential, even after returning home.

Application Requirements:

• Applicants must come from countries or regions on the DAC list
• Evidence of English skills of at least B2 or better
• Evidence of university degree and/or relevant professional experience
• Applicants must already be working on a project or research in their home country, ideally on the theme of climate protection which they can further consolidate in Germany. It is important that the benefits to the home country can be seen
• The project must be attributable to one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDG ́s)
• You must apply for a visa at the Germany Embassy in your home country
• There is no age limit for applicants.
• Selection is based on the following requirements and the dimensions deduced from them:
  • INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES – Specialist qualification – general education/ open-mindedness and interest/ creativity;
  • VALUE ORIENTATION / RESPONSIBILITY – standpoint and tolerance – independent thinking
  • GENERAL environment policy commitment – volunteer activities taking into account own artistic or scientific performance
  • PERSONALITY – motivation – potential – personal presentation – social competence

Application documents for the pre-selection procedure:

• Evidence of educational qualifications, diploma, Bachelor degree or equivalent
• Letter of motivation, 1,000 characters
• A typed or word processed, formulated, 3–4 page curriculum vitae with date and signature (not tabular, written on one side only and not tacked together)
• Evidence of English skills (min. B1)
• Project description, 1,500 characters
• Eligibility for a stay abroad (matriculation, authorization from employer