Applications are now open for the UN OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme 2025. This fellowship, established in 1997 by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), was initiated during the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
The programme aims to empower indigenous individuals by enhancing their knowledge of the UN system and mechanisms related to human rights, particularly indigenous issues. The training enables participants to better support their organizations and communities in safeguarding and advocating for their rights. The programme is offered in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Portuguese.
Fellows from all language groups undergo a four-week training in Geneva with simultaneous interpretation. This training usually coincides with the annual session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June/July each year), enabling fellows to engage more actively in that Mechanism.
Cost
- Selected candidates receive a return flight ticket, living expenses, and basic health insurance for the duration of the training.
Eligibility
- The candidate must be indigenous (non-indigenous persons will not be considered, even if they have close links with indigenous communities and/or organizations).
- Age is not a limiting factor for participation.
- Formal education is not required, considering the socio-economic barriers faced by many indigenous peoples.
- Candidates should be committed to training other indigenous persons upon returning to their communities/organizations.
- The candidate should be proposed and supported by their indigenous organization or community, preferably one with a strong constituency or membership.
- A good working knowledge of the language in which the programme is delivered is required.
Application
Ensure your application form is submitted well before the deadline. Fellowship applications will only be considered if fully completed. Both parts I and II of the application form must be signed and sent by regular post to:
Mr. Morse Caoagas Flores
Coordinator, Indigenous Fellowship Programme
Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
48, Avenue Giuseppe-Motta, Office 2-05
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Scanned applications are also accepted and can be sent to the following emails: ohchr-fellowship@un.org and morse.flores@un.org.
Application forms must be accompanied by an official recommendation letter from the nominating indigenous organization or community.
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