For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which stand on the frontlines of the climate crisis despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, building domestic capacity to shape international climate policy has long been a critical unmet need. Addressing this gap, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Italy have jointly launched the Italy–AOSIS Fellowship Programme, a targeted one-year initiative designed to lift up early-career professionals from AOSIS member nations and equip them with the skills to drive climate action and sustainable development at home and on the global stage.
The programme is structured to deliver both foundational knowledge and hands-on practical experience that directly translates to tangible impact for participating governments. Unlike generic training programs, it combines three core pillars of learning tailored to the unique challenges SIDS face. First, fellows will gain comprehensive interdisciplinary training covering cutting-edge legal, policy, and scientific frameworks for climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental conservation, cross-sector sustainable development, and ocean governance — issues that are existential for many low-lying and coastal small island nations. Second, participants will complete specialized media training, building the communication skills needed to share their communities’ climate priorities with broad international audiences and elevate SIDS’ voices in global conversations. Finally, the programme offers unrivaled on-the-ground experience: fellows will gain firsthand negotiation experience at United Nations climate and development talks, and earn access to participate in high-profile international conferences that shape global policy.
The overarching mission of the year-long fellowship extends far beyond individual professional development. By investing in emerging leaders, the programme aims to build long-term, resilient institutional capacity within SIDS governments, empowering these nations to participate meaningfully and confidently in all international climate and sustainability processes that directly impact their future.
To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet a clear set of eligibility requirements. Candidates must hold citizenship of an AOSIS member state, be between the ages of 25 and 32 at the start of the programme, and hold an academic degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to international relations, international law, environmental science, climate studies, sustainable development, fisheries science, ocean affairs, and climate finance. Applicants are required to have between 1 and 5 years of professional experience working with a national government, regional body, or international organization, and must commit to continuing their service in their home country’s national government upon completing the fellowship. Additional requirements include proven sound judgment and discretion when working with politically sensitive issues in diplomatic settings, a track record of strong academic achievement and advanced writing skills, and fluency in both written and spoken English.
For prospective candidates, the application process follows a structured official pathway. All submissions must be processed and submitted through the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of the applicant’s home country. Interested individuals are advised to reach out directly to their national Permanent Mission to initiate their application; contact details for all Permanent Missions are available via the United Nations’ official e-delegate bluebook at bluebook.e-delegate.un.org. The deadline for all applications is 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Friday, 20 November 2026.