Building Something Together: From Fellowship to Foundation

This section was written by Cazmir Zaborowski, a member of the third cohort of the Public Policy New Voices Europe program.

It is a rare thing in life for something to so significantly exceed your expectations that it changes the way you see the world and even how you measure your own abilities. It is even rarer that, in the span of a few days and among a group of 30 people, every single one of them leaves such an impression on you that you remain in touch with them years later - sometimes even traveling the world to reunite. My Public Policy New Voices Europe Fellowship with Salzburg Global made these rarities their standard. My whole world opened up after becoming a Salzburg Global Fellow, and it has continued expanding ever since.

My exposure to the courage, ambition, and dedication of my peers, many of whom I now call my friends, equipped me with a renewed perspective. Goals I once considered unattainable no longer felt out of reach, but instead were challenges to work through and overcome. I learned that I was not alone in my ambition, and that in the right setting with the right people, I could build meaningful projects. Connecting with peers who had their own NGOs, political initiatives, and social justice projects was proof that I could do the same.

I was finally able to apply this new perspective in October 2025, when my friend Riess called me with the idea of creating our own digital forum to publish political analyses. Before my experience with Salzburg Global, I may have focused on the obstacles: the incredible time commitment and resources of building something from scratch. Instead, I said yes. That decision paid off, resulting in the founding of the Forum on International Developments (FIND).

Today, FIND publishes weekly articles offering a plurality of political and cultural perspectives with high-quality standards for a professional audience. As Editor–in–Chief, alongside my co-Editor-in-Chief William and our incredible editorial team, I could not be more proud of the work we have done and continue to do.

The Public Policy New Voices Europe program also connected me to an international network of mentors and peers who continue to shape my professional journey. Through its mentorship aspect, I was connected with my mentor, Chris Philipsborn, whose support and guidance have opened many doors. Recently, he invited members of FIND to attend one of our first conferences through the Ad Hoc Council, which he chairs.

FIND continues to expand into other forms of media, professional engagement, and public dialogue. Thanks to my experiences as a Salzburg Global Fellow, I learned to articulate my ambitions in ways I never knew were possible. FIND is a testament to that transformation.

This section was written by Mayssa Merzouki, a member of the fourth cohort of the Public Policy New Voices Europe program.

Trying new things and getting outside my comfort zone has always been challenging for me. Still, when I had the opportunity to participate in the Public Policy New Voices Europe program, I took it. Even though I did not fully understand what I was getting myself into, I am so glad I did. At a time when it feels increasingly challenging to find young people committed to changing the world for the better, Salzburg Global succeeded in bringing together dozens of emerging leaders in such a wonderful place, Schloss Leopoldskron, for several intense and inspiring days dedicated to rethinking public policy around the world.

What struck me the most was the diversity of backgrounds and experiences represented by Fellows. Meeting emerging leaders from different cultures and disciplines, some already leading NGOs and social impact initiatives in their own communities, expanded my perspective on what is possible. For the first time, creating something of our own no longer felt unrealistic or out of reach.

That realization is what ultimately led me to join the FIND adventure. I am grateful for my experience at Salzburg Global, because it renewed my confidence to take part in building this initiative. Although we kicked off FIND only a few months ago, it already feels like something we were always bound to create. What makes it especially beautiful is that the same diversity of perspectives and backgrounds that inspired me in Salzburg is reflected in our NGO as well. Our team comes from diverse cultures and even continents, contributing to the diversity of perspectives we bring to our writing and analysis.

The Fellows we met and the lessons we learned through the program itself equipped us with an ambition to not only dream, but to execute those dreams. Before Salzburg, we believed that certain goals were out of reach because they were too distant and too difficult to find the right people to make them possible. In Salzburg, we met Fellows who had already transformed ambitious ideas into meaningful political, social, and community-driven initiatives – not because it was easy, but because they believed in making their ambitions a reality. Their example ignited our ambition, and showed us that lasting impact is built collectively, through collaboration, persistence, and shared purpose.

FIND is a direct result of that shift in our mindset. What began as an idea between peers became a growing platform shaped by diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to thoughtful public engagement. Our experiences at Salzburg Global expanded our networks and perspectives, inspiring us to become confident leaders, collaborators, and initiative-builders. FIND is a testament to those experiences and an example of how the Fellowship’s impact continues long after the program itself ends.