Call for applications: European Parliament’s 2026 Sakharov Fellowship for Human Rights Defenders

The Sakharov Fellowship offers up to 14 human rights defenders from non-EU countries a unique opportunity to participate in a two-week intensive training in Brussels and another location in an EU Member State.

Since 2016, this programme has been organised annually to empower human rights defenders through insight into EU and international human rights mechanisms; advocacy and communication training; tools for security and safety, resilience, disinformation and documentation; meeting with high-level EU stakeholders, and joining the Sakharov Community of human rights defenders. As such, they will maintain links with the work of the European Parliament and will continue liaising with EU Delegations in their respective countries. Beyond the training, they are expected to act as multipliers, sharing their best practices and lending peer-to-peer support.

Candidates should have a proven record in campaigning for human rights in an NGO or other organisation or in an individual capacity. They must have a high level of English, sufficient to follow and actively contribute to the programme.

The Fellowship covers return travel from the country of residence, accommodation during the programme and a daily living allowance.

The deadline for applications is 15 February 2026.

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Press release