nited Nations Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme 2025 for People of African Descent (Fully-Funded to Geneva, Switzerland)

It takes place once a year at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.

The Fellowship programme provides the participants with the opportunity to:

1. Learn about and deepen their understanding of the international human rights law and the UN human rights system, the international framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and intersecting issues with a focus on people of African descent;
2. Gain first-hand exposure to international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR.
3. Engage with the international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR and strengthen skills in developing project proposals and delivering presentations.

The Fellowship Programme was initiated by the OHCHR Anti-Racial Discrimination Section in 2011 and was further supported by the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/69/16 on the Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent. The High Commissioner is the coordinator of the Decade. The 2025 Fellowship Programme will be the first to take place during the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034), which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2024 by resolution A/RES/79/193

Purpose of the programme

The aim is to strengthen participants' skills to contribute to the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries. The participants are equipped with the tools necessary to ensure the development of legislation, policies and programmes aligns with international human rights standards; strengthen collaboration of civil society with governments; and undertake local awareness-raising and advocacy activities.

Dates of the Fellowship

The Fellowship will be held from 10 to 28 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In addition, fellows are expected to dedicate a few hours to pre-online courses and preparatory assignments in the preceding two weeks.

1. Sponsor Organisation: United Nations (UN)

Eligibility Criteria for United Nations Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme 2025 for People of African Descent (Fully-Funded to Geneva, Switzerland)

The candidate must be an individual of African descent living in the Diaspora.

1. The candidate must have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of People of African Descent.
2. The candidate should submit an official letter from an organization working on issues related to people of African descent or minority rights—on official letterhead - certifying the candidate’s role within the organisation.
3. The candidates must be available to attend the full duration of the programme. The selected fellows will be expected to participate in different activities and to strictly follow the programme.

Since 2011, 160 fellows from 50 countries have participated in the Fellowship programme including from Argentina, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Germany, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Benefits of United Nations Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme 2025 for People of African Descent (Fully-Funded to Geneva, Switzerland)

Each fellow is entitled to a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva; basic health insurance; and a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted in English.

IMPORTANT! OHCHR regrets to inform that due to the financial situation currently facing the United Nations, the 2025 Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent will be delivered in English only, due to insufficient funds to cover the provision of interpretation services in other languages.

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents in a single email to ohchr-africandescentfellowship@un.org:

1. A Curriculum Vitae
2. A completed, signed and scanned Application Form in one single document.
3. A personal statement (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate will explain their motivation for applying and how they will use the knowledge gained from the fellowship to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
4. An official letter from an organisation working on issues related to people of African descent or minority rights – on official letterhead - certifying the candidate’s role within the organisation
5. A copy of the applicant's passport.
6. Please note that submissions with more than five attachments will not be accepted.

Important: Please mention in the subject header of your e-mail: "Application for the 2025 Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent."

Name the attached document as follows:

LAST NAME First name—Type of document

Example: SMITH Jacqueline – Application form.doc

SMITH Jacqueline – A Personal Statement.doc

SMITH Jacqueline—Official letter from nominating organization.pdf

SMITH Jacqueline – Passport.pdf

Deadline for applications: 30 June 2025.

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