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Berlin and New York, October 26, 2020 – Today, the Alfred Landecker Foundation, in partnership with Humanity in Action, has announced the participants of its inaugural Democracy Fellowship.
The Alfred Landecker Democracy Fellowship supports rising activists, community leaders and young professionals in turning innovative ideas into tangible solutions for the disruptions to democratic spaces in times of Covid-19. This year’s fellowship funds 30 young champions of democracy whose goals range from closing the digital divide and empowering migrant care workers, to finding new ways for people to talk about politics and current affairs.
“Over the last decade there has been a marked increase in threats to democracy across the Western world. It is no longer a distant threat. The rise of the far right is banging on the door,” said Dr Andreas Eberhardt, CEO of the Alfred Landecker Foundation. “The situation has been exacerbated by COVID-19 which, out of necessity, has afforded powers to governments that they have not previously had. This all means that this Fellowship, and the consequent work of the Fellows involved, has never been more important and we look forward to seeing the solutions they put forward.”
“Over the last decade there has been a marked increase in threats to democracy across the Western world. It is no longer a distant threat. The rise of the far right is banging on the door.” Dr Andreas Eberhardt, CEO, Alfred Landecker Foundation
Drawing from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, 30 young professionals, activists and community leaders were selected, through a rigorous interview process, from a pool of more than 260 applicants. The final projects, each unique and innovative in execution, aim to create social justice and fairer societies, giving individuals and communities an opportunity for a better quality of life through digital, physical, educational and social methods. Fellows’ propositions will be supported, including a monthly stipend (10.000 Euros in total), seed funding of 5.000 Euros for their projects, guidance and training to increase their individual impact on political discourses, policy making and social realities.
“The strength of the applications we received was outstanding and the selection process was not an easy one,” said Dr Judith Goldstein, Founder & Executive Director of Humanity in Action. “We’re delighted to be joined by so many brilliant minds. Coming from different fields of expertise from different parts of the world, they all share a passion for democracy. We will be following their progress closely and supporting them throughout.”
