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backEventsExplore the variety of events Salzburg Global hosts within Austria and in the rest of the world. Learn more about our programs and what else happens at Schloss Leopoldskron.Upcoming EventsDec 01 - Dec 06, 2025Peace & JusticeAdvancing Youth Safety and Justice: Transformative Policies, Community Solutions, and Accountable PracticesGlobal Innovations on Youth Violence, Safety and JusticeDec 08 - Dec 13, 2025EducationSkills for Tomorrow: Building the Next Generation of Vocational LearningEducation for Tomorrow's World
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Fellowship
backFellowshipSince 1947, more than 40,000 people from over 170 countries have participated in Salzburg Global's sessions. Collectively, these alumni are known as Salzburg Global Fellows.
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About Us
backAbout UsSalzburg Global is an independent, non-profit organization committed to creating spaces that overcome barriers and open up a world of better possibilities.Our Approach
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Public Policy New Voices Europe
Part of Salzburg Global's Culture Pillar
Our Purpose
Public Policy New Voices Europe connects, supports, and empowers a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy across Europe.
This dynamic year-long fellowship program seeks to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and emerging leaders in the public policy arena by providing a platform for support, mentorship, networking and skill-building.
Why It Matters
This program empowers emerging leaders to shape more inclusive, equitable, and effective policymaking across Europe.
The Fellowship provides the knowledge, networks, and practical experience needed to navigate complex policy environments and influence positive change within institutions, communities, and society at large.
Through mentoring, skills-building, and cross-sector collaboration, Fellows strengthen their confidence, leadership capacity, and sense of purpose.
The program fosters dialogue across differences—bridging generations, geographies, and disciplines—to cultivate a new wave of policy leaders equipped to rebuild trust, cohesion, and democratic engagement.
Salzburg Global amplifies Fellows’ voices and ideas through global platforms including publications, social media, and partner networks.
By sharing their work and insights with an international audience, Fellows gain visibility, credibility, and opportunities to continue shaping the future of public policy across Europe and beyond.
Only 4% of EU Policymakers Are From Racial or Ethn
Despite around 10% of the EU population identifying as racially or ethnically diverse, representation in EU institutions remains limited. Building inclusive democracies requires leaders who reflect the full diversity of Europe’s societies and experiences.
Trust in Public Institutions Has Fallen to 47% Acr
Confidence in government and democratic systems is at its lowest among underrepresented groups. By empowering diverse, values-driven leaders, programs like PPNVE can help rebuild trust, strengthen inclusion, and renew faith in public leadership.
Only 1 in 5 Executives in Europe Are Women
Across the EU-27, just 20.2% of executives and 7.8% of CEOs are women. This underlines the urgent need to open leadership pathways and create networks of support for women and other underrepresented groups in public policy.
Diverse Teams Outperform Their Peers by up to 35%
Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to achieve above-average financial returns. Diversity drives stronger decisions, greater innovation, and more resilient institutions—lessons equally vital for public policy leadership.
Our Format
Through a mix of virtual sessions, mentoring, and in-person engagement, the Public Policy New Voices Europe Fellowship offers a structured year of learning, reflection, and collaboration to strengthen leadership capacity and expand the presence of diverse voices in public policy.
On-Boarding Workshops (Two Sessions, Online)
Two 90-minute online sessions introduce the Fellowship’s goals and support the co-design of cohort objectives while helping Fellows connect and establish a shared sense of purpose.
Network Meetings (Monthly, Online)
These 90-minute online knowledge development sessions include presentations from an array of thought leaders from Europe and around the globe. The resulting discussions center on critical policy topics. Capacity development and skills-building sessions support Fellows to reflect on their personal and professional leadership goals, fostering cross-cultural intelligence and sensitivity. Topics are co-created with participants to ensure alignment with their interests and contexts.
Mentoring Pairings (Monthly, Online)
Following a mentoring needs assessment, each Fellow is matched with an experienced professional from the Salzburg Global network. This nine-month mentoring relationship provides individualized guidance, professional support, and opportunities for intergenerational exchange.
Professional Experience Opportunities (Rolling)
Fellows may access a range of professional development opportunities, such as internships, shadowing experiences, or field visits to policy institutions and partner organizations. These may include visits to Brussels and participation in major public policy gatherings such as the Creative Bureaucracy Festival in Berlin and the Diversify Nordics Summit in Oslo.
Public Policy Challenge Program (4-days, In-Person, Salzburg, Austria)
Each cohort explores a Public Policy Challenge linked to Europe’s current policy priorities. During the in-person convening in Salzburg, Fellows build on insights from their virtual sessions to develop advocacy strategies and partnerships that address the Challenge topic. Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, they strengthen their knowledge, leadership skills, and ability to navigate complex policy environments.
Peer Mentoring and Support Network (On-going, Online)
Fellows join a growing network of policy professionals, including more than 120+ peers across Europe, and participate in regional and virtual peer mentoring sessions, including exchanges with Fellows from Public Policy New Voices USA and Asia Policy Leadership Forum. Participants also gain lifetime membership in the Salzburg Global Fellowship, connecting them to over 40,000 leaders from 170+ countries.
Get Involved
Who Is Eligible To Participate?
To be eligible for Public Policy New Voices Europe, applicants must:
- For the duration of the Fellowship, be living, studying, or working in one of these European countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
- Be a student, graduate, or early-career professional interested in or working within public policy, public service and policy development in Europe.
- Be passionate about using public policy to build inclusive and democratic societies that value diversity, equity, and participation for all citizens.
- Demonstrate openness, curiosity, and a commitment to learning from diverse perspectives.
- Be comfortable communicating in English, the working language of Salzburg Global.
Salzburg Global actively encourages applications from communities that have been historically underrepresented in policymaking, including people of color, those from ethnically diverse, migrant, or refugee communities, disabled people, people from low-income backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBT+*.
Applicants must be based in one of the eligible European countries for the entire duration of the Fellowship. The program is intended for emerging leaders who are at an early stage of their professional journey and have not yet had significant international exposure or access to leadership development opportunities.
Is There a Cost To Apply or Participate?
Thanks to the generous support of our partners, there is no cost to apply to or participate in the PPNVE Fellowship. Support is available to cover costs associated with room and board, and travel for the in-person convening in Salzburg.
How Can I Apply?
Applications for each annual cohort open in November or December each year. Please subscribe to the Salzburg Global newsletter to receive information about the call for applications.
How Can I Get Involved as a Mentor?
We are inviting experienced professionals to serve as mentors over a nine-month period. Mentors will engage in monthly online conversations to support Fellows’ leadership growth and foster intergenerational learning.
Selected mentors may be invited to join the in-person convening at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria. If you are interested in mentoring, please contact Surya HK.
Partners & Donors
Partners
Support Our Work
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on your generosity and support to gather open-minded leaders for breakthrough conversations.
Donations, no matter the size, help us create space for dialogue that overcomes barriers and opens up a world of better possibilities.
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