Applications open for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Resilience Fellowship

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Resilience Fellowship. This fellowship aims to foster collaboration and cooperation among various sectors of society, including civil society actors, human rights activists, journalists, artists, scholars, policymakers, grassroots community leaders, and others who are actively working to combat the negative impacts of organized crime.

The Resilience Fellowship is a key component of the GI-TOC’s Resilience Fund, which provides financial support and grants to individuals and organizations in the civil society sector who are dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by criminal governance and violence worldwide. The Resilience Fund was initially established with a generous grant from the government of Norway and has since received additional support from the governments of Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. It also collaborates with international organizations and NGOs across the globe.

As part of the fellowship, each selected Fellow will receive a total of US$15,000, which will be disbursed in three equal installments of US$5,000 each. The fellowship program will choose ten individuals from diverse backgrounds and contexts, and they will be provided with various forms of support.

One of the support mechanisms offered to the fellows is grants. In many fragile environments, financial resources are scarce due to ongoing conflicts, weak governance, and socio-economic disparities. Traditional sources of support are often underdeveloped or inaccessible in these contexts. The 2024 Resilience Fellowship aims to address this issue directly by providing grants of US$15,000 to individuals in such environments. These grants will be allocated for community projects that focus on building resilience. By prioritizing fragile contexts, the fellowship program ensures that resources reach those who are often overlooked, making a significant impact in communities that are most in need.

Capacity building: The Fellowship’s training and mentoring program will offer guidance to Fellows on how to navigate the specific challenges they face in their environments, such as cyber threats, physical security risks, and the complexities of criminal economies. This approach starts with understanding fragility: identifying the local signs of organized crime and creating strategies to combat them.

Networking and collaboration: The Fellowship will create networking and collaboration opportunities through its Resilience Dialogues and the Resilience Fund Community Platform to impact global policy and enhance the initiatives of Fellows. By promoting an interdisciplinary, global, and cross-sectoral network, the Fellowship aims to back a variety of solutions, exchange resources and best practices, and boost community resilience to organized crime in fragile settings.

Eligibility criteria: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Resilience Fellowship

1. The 2024 Fellowship is designed to assist ten civil society actors who are working on community responses to organized crime to enhance resilience in fragile regions affected by conflict, violence, and criminal governance.
2. Applicants should have a background in journalism and media, activism, advocacy and community mobilization, the creative arts (artists, writers, filmmakers, etc.), community leaders (religious, cultural, and youth leaders), academia (researchers, consultants, scholars, and policymakers), and human rights practitioners working directly with affected communities. Individuals from other fields will be considered if their work aligns with the objectives of the Fellowship and the annual theme.
3. The Fellowship welcomes applications from individuals of all genders, ethnic backgrounds, ages, religions, or other defining characteristics who are actively involved in communities impacted by organized crime.
4. Applicants must have full or professional working proficiency in at least one of the following three languages: Spanish, English, or French.
5. Applicants will undergo a selection process for interviews based on the following four criteria:

• 1. Relevance to the context
  2. Identification of problems
  3. Feasibility of solutions
  4. Ability to enhance community resilience

Application Procedure: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Resilience Fellowship

1. Interested individuals should complete the online application form provided at the conclusion of this section. The form contains inquiries that allow applicants to demonstrate their background and expertise in addressing fragile situations, particularly in conflict-affected communities.
2. Ensure that your responses are concise, clear, and within the specified word limit.
3. Attachments cannot be included with your application. Ensure that all pertinent details are provided in the online form, as it cannot be modified after submission.
4. Applications will not be accepted via email. All submissions must be made through the online form.
   If you encounter technical difficulties while submitting your application or have any inquiries, please reach out to: [email protected]
5. For Details visit the official website of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) Resilience Fellowship.
6. Deadline: May 25, 2024