The Copenhagen Fellowship
Overview
The Copenhagen Fellowship offers you a rich, rewarding summer experience!
- Denmark
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- USA
- Greenland
- Faroe Islands
August 11 – 28, 2025 | In-person Fellowship
In 2025, the Copenhagen Fellowship will explore the intersection between climate change, human rights and democracy in a world in crises, with a special focus on the Rights of Future Generations.
The 2025 Cph Fellowship examines the dilemma of how to ensure the Rights of Future Generations while at the same time protecting the rights of generations today.
As we witness increasing temperatures, sea level rise, flooding, drought and wildfires, the consequences of climate change are no longer a faraway future but present in the everyday life of people around the planet.
The Copenhagen Fellowship will delve into the complex relations between climate change, human rights and democracy.
How does climate change threaten the effective enjoyment of human rights? How can we counter its disproportionate effects on marginalized communities? What are the potentials of a rights-based approach to climate change and environmental destruction? And how do avoid action turning into apathy!
In 2025, we will also investigate the Rights of Future Generations. The impacts of climate change will continue to increase, if drastic cuts in emissions are not implemented immediately, threatening younger generations, children and yet unborn disproportionately. Yet, they have little to no influence over the decisions made today. Therefore, we will explore the dilemma of how to ensure the Rights of Future Generations while also protecting the rights of generations alive today.
During the fellowship you will develop your own Action Project, and transform knowledge into action centering on a theme you are passionate about. The Action Project is to be implemented in your community after the Fellowship experience.
What is the Humanity in Action Fellowship
2022 Copenhagen Fellows
Participation in the Fellowships is free of charge.
24 Fellows (students and recent graduates) from different countries will gather in Copenhagen for an intensive 3 week educational program. Past Fellows have described it as a challenging and rewarding journey of personal and collective growth, meaningful connections, and collaboration across differences.
The daily program consists of guest lectures and workshops, site visits, group discussions, reflections, and community building. You will get the opportunity to learn from experts, alumni, activists, decision-makers, scholars, and your peers. The in-person program is a full-time commitment with some obligatory program on the weekends.
After the in-person program, you will develop and implement an independent Action Project. The Action Project is your entry ticket into the Humanity in Action network of about 3000 Senior Fellows from all over the world.
The Structure of the Program
- The International Program | One day, date TBA (virtual)
We will virtually join the entire international 2025 Humanity in Action cohort. - Travel to Copenhagen | August 9 – 10, 2025
- The Copenhagen Fellowship | August 11 – 28, 2025 (in-person in Copenhagen, Denmark)
24 Fellows will gather in Copenhagen for a daily full-time program, to learn from local experts, community members, and each other. There might be some obligatory programming on the weekends. - Action Projects | September 2025 – May 2026
From September 2025 to March 2026, Fellows work on their independent Action Project. See examples of previous Action Projects here and further down this page.
The Action Project
After the month in Copenhagen, Fellows run impactful Action Projects in their own communities.
Following their time in Copenhagen, Fellows work on their Action Project: an independent social justice venture in their own communities.
Action Projects are as diverse as Humanity in Action Fellows. Fellows apply their new knowledge and perspectives to the communities they impact—in whatever format they find meaningful.
Examples of past Action Projects include film documentaries, art shows, community events, and social awareness campaigns.
Action Projects by Copenhagen Fellows
The Humanity in Action community is a great resource for getting support — be it with contacts, experience or good advice. Let yourself be inspired by some of the Action Projects by our Senior Fellows.
Cultivating Justice: Exploring the Right to Life for Indigenous Peoples
Exploring ICCPR Article 6's role in protecting Indigenous Peoples from climate change impacts by bridging legal frameworks.
Colonial Dialogue - Weekend Workshop
Creating a constructive dialogue for and with Danish youth about privileges, prejudices, and post-colonialism, in relation to the Danish, Greenlandic and Faroe Islands shared History. Senior Fellows William Nordmark Nielsen and Sofie Malm Henriksen hosted a day of workshops and lectures for students at Grundtvigs Højskole north of Copenhagen.
Animate Youth Stories
Through workshops and creating digital animation, this action project provides a space for youth to explore their cultural and ethnic roots.
The Application Process
Please know that the application form does not allow saving draft responses and returning to it later. To make the application process easier, we have also prepared a PDF version with all the questions. Click here to download.
1. Application Requirements
a) Personal Statement (max 500 words)
b) An Action Project idea pitched in a 90 sec video
c) CV / Resume without a picture
d) Name and contact information of one reference
2. Admissions Process
(Please note, this timeline is for Danish-based applicants!)
a) Application Deadline: March 16, 2025 (midnight)
Remember to have all attachments ready before your start to fill it out. Please read all instructions in the beginning of the form carefully.
b) First Selection: Late March
All applications will be read carefully by a panel of Humanity in Action Senior Fellows. They select a pool of finalists for further review by the national Humanity in Action’s Selection Committee.
Sign up to notified about our 2026 Fellowships here.
c) Interviews: April 7 – 11 (between 10.00-15.00 CET)
Finalists will be interviewed by the national Selection Committee. All finalists will be interviewed virtually via Zoom with two or three other finalists. (Please mark these dates in your calender).
d) Final Selection: Late April
The final selections will be made. Finalists will receive an answer by late April.
3. Further questions?
Please review our FAQ section below carefully to find answers on eligibility, accomodation, finances and much more.
Inside the Cph Fellowship
Recent Fellowship Speakers
Every day, Copenhagen Fellows meet and discuss with established activists, artists, community members, and policymakers with diverse perspectives on climate change, human rights and social justice-issues.
More questions?
Find the answers to more questions in our FAQ's
News from our Senior Fellow Community
Niels Bak: Charting the Path to Transformative Change: From Advisory Power to Real Influence in Global Governance
The Declaration on Future Generations underscores the responsibility of today's generations to ensure the prosperity and security of future ones. It fosters a sustainable and equitable global community.
Cate Schultz: Revitalizing Global Solidarity and Governance Through Children's Rights - The Role of Play and Science
The fundamental child rights to both free play and scientific knowledge are not sufficiently recognized, emphasized in policy, nor a key focus of international dialogue.
"Aiming for Freedom" traveling exhibition
Senior Fellow K. Melchor Quick Hall's "Aiming for Freedom" traveling exhibition organizes a special "abolition installation" at Wellesley College's Jewett Art Gallery with art created with and inspired by prison abolitionist organizations.