Call for Applications: CrossCulture Programme 2021 in Germany

About the programme: 

With the CCP Fellowships, the CrossCulture Programme (CCP) funds around 100 professionals and committed volunteers from over 40 countries each year. During two to three months of practical training in host organisations in Germany or in CCP partner countries, participants deepen their expertise and acquire intercultural skills. In turn, the host organisations benefit from the expertise, regional knowledge and networks of the CCP fellows. The participants then bring their experiences gained abroad into their everyday working life when they return to their home organisation.

With its CrossCulture Programme (CCP), ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) is working in partnership with the Federal Foreign Office to build strong civil society networks between Germany and the rest of the world. The CrossCulture Programme is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by ifa.

Professional fellowships are awarded for a period of eight to twelve weeks normally in the following terms:
Summer term: June to August 2021
Autumn term:  September to November 2021

Whom is the programme designed for?
Fellowships are principally awarded to people working in one of the following fields:

• policy and society
• media and culture
• human rights and peace
• sustainable development

In addition, from 2019 to 2023 the following key issues will be the focus for those interested in applying for compatible host organisations:

• civic & citizenship education
• digital civil society

Civic & citizenship education provides both young people and adults with the knowledge and skills that enable them to shape society. Against the background of current challenges such as populism, fake news and hate speech, civic citizenship education, especially in connection with digital media, is gaining in importance for an active and democratically organised civil society. People working in civic & citizenship education and pursuing goals in the fields of work listed above will be supported with these key issues.

Requirements for the participation in the CrossCulture Programme: 

Essential:

• The applicant must be between the ages of 23 and 45 at the time of the application.
• Good written and spoken English skills.
• At least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organisation in the country of origin.
• The applicant is in good health for a longer stay abroad.

Desirable:

• The applicant has been and is socially engaged for the long-term.
• The applicant can prove full-time experience in his or her field of work.
• A collaboration with an organisation in the target country is in progress or planned.
• The applicant possesses other language skills, particularly, German language skills.

Students cannot participate in the programme.

Eligible candidates ought to possess the nationality of a programme country listed below. Please apply only if you are a national of the respective country or acquired a long-term residence permit.

The application for the CrossCulture Programme must be submitted online via the application portal.


Please prepare the following documents for your application beforehand

• Letter of Motivation
• Letter of Recommendation
• Curriculum vitae
• Portrait photograph (optional)

Supporting documents (copies of degrees/diplomas, proof of experience etc.) might be requested at a later stage of the selection procedure.

Please make sure to have all documents ready before starting the application process. The application portal does not allow to save incomplete applications and/or resume at a later time. Please note that only complete applications including the documents mentioned above will be considered.

We strongly recommend applying via computer. Applications via smartphone or tablet which contain no attachments cannot be considered.

The deadline for applications is 15 December 2020.

Selection Procedure:

The selection of suitable candidates will be accomplished by ifa in consultation with the German Foreign Mission in the country of residence. Pre-selected candidates will be invited for a personal interview at the German Foreign Mission or via Skype in February 2021. The results will be communicated in March 2021. There is no recourse to legal action.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the final decision on the implementation of the fellowships (professional residence in Germany or “remote fellowships”= digital exchange, collaboration tools and specialist trainings) will be taken in accordance with the Foreign Federal Office.

Official website