Uniting diverse and underrepresented talent from 16 European countries, the incoming cohort is set to challenge polarization and shape the future of democracy
Salzburg Global, along with partners The Walt Disney Company and Squire Patton Boggs, is proud to welcome 30 exceptional emerging talents to the fourth cohort of Public Policy New Voices Europe. This year-long fellowship is designed to educate and empower the next generation of public policy professionals. It connects students, early-career professionals, and activists across Europe who are passionate about driving change.
This year’s session, "Beyond Fragmentation: Rebuilding Trust and Cohesion in European Democracy," tackles one of the most urgent challenges of our time: strengthening democratic resilience and values in an era of division. Centering on the theme of “media, migration, and minorities," the session will equip emerging public policy leaders with the skills to navigate political polarization, counter misinformation, and reinforce institutional integrity.
With a focus on bridging societal divides, fostering corporate accountability in democratic processes, and promoting inclusive governance, Fellows will explore innovative solutions to rebuild trust and solidarity across Europe. By engaging with experts, policymakers, and peers, they will develop actionable strategies to create a more transparent, accountable, and cohesive democratic landscape.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of over 400 applicants, these 30 Fellows come from 16 countries and 23 cities on the European continent - a testament to the program’s reach and impact.
Faye Hobson, director of the Culture Program Pillar at Salzburg Global said, "The overwhelming response this year to our call for applications underscores the program’s growing reputation as a space for critical debate, learning, and collaboration. We are deeply grateful to our partners for making this opportunity possible for so many young people."
Over the next year, Fellows will engage in virtual workshops and mentorship, have thought-provoking discussions, attend conferences, and convene at an in-person session at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, gaining the knowledge and networks needed to shape policy for a more just and inclusive future.
Stay tuned as these Fellows embark on their journey to challenge systemic inequalities and create lasting impact.
Fellows in the fourth cohort include:
- Amal Abubakar, Student, SOAS University of London, United Kingdom
- Princewill Ejiro-Oghene Ahante, Journalism Researcher, BBC World Service, United Kingdom
- Luis Felipe Alvarez Vega, Junior Associate Health Advisory, Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, Denmark
- Farida Amiri, Founder, Peace Friends, Sweden
- Ethan Auer, Migration Policy Research Intern, European Governance Lab, Finland
- Sophia Kaur Badhan, Policy and Research Intern and Youth Activist, Labour Together, United Kingdom
- Gabriel Bangura, Justice Fellow, Committee For Justice, Austria
- Samanta Brahaj, Communications Officer, European Student Think Tank, Italy
- Martha Bulten, Journalist, REGIO8, Netherlands
- Rodrigo Miguel Cardoso, Board Member, Amnesty International Portugal, Portugal
- Jessica Chukwu, Student, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Marina Roxana Corneliu, Youth Activist for Non-Visible Disabilities and Mental Disorders, Independent, Romania
- Benson Innocent Edobor, Student, University of Kassel, Germany
- Romina Grigore, E-Romnja Collaborator, E-Romnja Feminist Collective of Romani Gender Experts, Romania
- Pauline M. Hastenteufel, Chairperson Task Force Ableism, International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA), Germany
- Nino Kharabadze, Student, Gent University, Georgia
- Pedro Ivo Machado De Oliveira, Law, Policy and Research Intern of Inclusive Development, Outright International, Switzerland
- Mayssa Merzouki, Student, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium
- Dzhivan Mkrtchyan, Barrister, Kordzadze Law Office, Georgia
- Tanishka Murthy, Director, EJAAD Berlin, Germany
- Elisa Alejandra Payan Camargo, Student, Central European University, Austria
- Dylan Pereira, Editor-in-Chief, Revista Diplomacia, Portugal
- Eoin Raftery, Policy Associate, Council of Europe Development Bank, France
- Isadora Pinheiro e Silva, Researcher, ULB, Belgium
- Faith Joy Seawell, Nurse, Trinity College Dublin, Portugal
- Iryna Tsunovska, Deputy Manager of Affairs- Head Of Legal And Information, Analytical Support Department, Lviv District Council Of Lviv Region, Ukraine
- Niila Juhán Valkeapää, Vice-Chair, Youth Council of the Sami Parliament in Finland, Finland
- Ianira Vieira, Student, University of Bergen, Norway
- Maria Giulia Vigiano, Student, University of Rome, Italy
- Alexander Vogt, Policy Officer, Council of Europe, France
We invite you to find out more about these Fellows here.
Learn more about the Public Policy New Voices Europe program.
