Applications are currently open for the fully-funded International Civil Society Week (ICSW) Journalist Fellowship 2025, offering journalists and digital storytellers a unique opportunity to attend and report from the world’s largest gathering of civil society. Jointly organized by the global civil society alliance CIVICUS and the Asia Democracy Network (ADN), the fellowship will send 15–20 journalists to Bangkok, Thailand, from November 1–5, 2025.
In a time of increasing global pressure on civic freedoms, this fellowship aims to support journalists who cover issues of human rights and civic space. It seeks to amplify stories of citizen action, resilience, and innovative approaches to democracy and inclusion, which are central themes of the 2025 ICSW. By embedding journalists within the ICSW, the program facilitates direct engagement with leading activists, organizations, and experts from around the world.
Fellowship categories and eligibility
The program is open to journalists globally, with a particular emphasis on applicants from Global Majority countries. There are two distinct categories for applicants:
- Journalist Fellowship: This is for experienced journalists of any age who have a strong portfolio of work focusing on civic space and human rights.
- Young Journalist Fellowship: This category targets journalists under 30 years old. It is also open to citizen journalists and digital content creators who demonstrate strong engagement with human rights issues on digital platforms.
What the fellowship covers
CIVICUS will cover all the necessary costs for the selected fellows, including:
- Travel to and from Bangkok
- Accommodation for the duration of the event
Responsibilities and expectations
In exchange for the funded trip, fellows are expected to produce and publish at least two stories based on their experiences and reporting at the ICSW. These stories can be in any format, including:
- Written articles
- Video content
- Multimedia features
The stories should focus on topics related to civic freedoms and the key themes explored during the week-long event.
Key dates and application details
- Application deadline: September 14, 2025
- Notification of selection: Early October 2025
Interested journalists can find more information about the fellowship and submit their applications on the ICSW section of the CIVICUS website.
The ICSW event
The ICSW is a landmark event in the civil society calendar, bringing together thousands of global activists, human rights defenders, and allies. The 2025 event will feature a series of conferences, workshops, trainings, and cultural exchanges, all focused on addressing the challenges facing civil society and celebrating citizen-led change. The Bangkok event will explore the key theme, “Celebrating citizen action: reimagining democracy, rights, and inclusion for today’s world”.
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