Lazord Fellowship 2026-2027: Fully Funded One-Year Leadership Program in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia & Greece

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Lazord Fellowship, a prestigious regional program designed for visionary leaders who aim to generate ideas for social change. If you are passionate about areas such as education, women’s rights, social entrepreneurship, youth engagement, corporate responsibility, and human rights, this fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity to transform your vision into action.

The Lazord Fellowship is not merely a training program — it is a multidimensional journey that empowers fellows to develop a critical understanding of civic engagement while improving leadership and technical skills for future careers across all sectors (nonprofit, private, and public). The program achieves its mission through three core pillars: providing dedicated mentoring, offering job placement opportunities in organizations that advance the common good, and creating enriched educational experiences.

A Brief History and Regional Reach

The first Lazord Fellowship began in Egypt in 2010. Since then, it has grown into a robust regional network with active chapters in four countries:

• Egypt

• Jordan

• Tunisia

• Greece

Today, the program works with over 50 partner organizations across these four nations. Fellows from all chapters come together twice a year — either in person or virtually — fostering cross-border collaboration and shared learning.

Fellowship Structure and Duration

The Lazord Fellowship is a yearlong, full-time program that begins in September 2026 and concludes in October 2027. Key milestones include:

• Placement in a local host organization for one full year

• Two international conferences with the regional cohort (opening conference in October 2026 and closing conference in October 2027)

• Monthly mentoring sessions

• Minimum of 18 training sessions

• A collaborative research project in teams of 3 to 4 people

Fellows are expected to commit fully to the program and must be available to attend the annual International Conference in October 2026.

What Fellows Receive

Selected Lazord Fellows benefit from a comprehensive support package designed to remove financial barriers and maximize professional growth. Below is a detailed breakdown of what each fellow receives:

1. Host Organization Placement

• Each fellow is hosted by a local organization in their country of application.

• The matchmaking process between fellows and host organizations begins in early September 2026.

• Placement begins in October 2026 and continues through October 2027.

2. Living Stipend

• Fellows receive a living stipend based on local living costs in their respective country.

• The stipend allows fellows to focus fully on their fellowship without financial distress.

3. Training Sessions

• A minimum of 18 training sessions delivered by influential civil society leaders and professional trainers.

• Topics covered include but are not limited to:

  • Civil society dynamics

  • Management and leadership

  • Team building

  • Management skills

  • Project management

  • Advocacy and policy influence

4. Monthly Mentoring

• Each fellow receives monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions with professional mentors who have extensive civil society experience.

• Mentors provide guidance on career development, project implementation, and personal leadership growth.

5. Research Project

• Fellows work in teams of 3 to 4 people on a collaborative research project.

• This project develops analytical, teamwork, and presentation skills while contributing actionable insights to the civil society sector.

6. Networking Opportunities

• Fellows gain access to a wide network of professionals and influential individuals from all sectors — both local and international.

• Networking events, conferences, and informal gatherings are organized throughout the year.

7. International Conferences

• Fellows attend two international conferences with the regional cohort from all four countries.

• Opening International Conference: October 2026

• Closing International Conference: October 2027

• These conferences may be held in person or virtually, depending on circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Lazord Fellowship 2026-2027, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• University graduate from any field of study (no specific major required)

• Graduation year: 2024 or after (i.e., you must have earned your degree in 2024, 2025, or 2026)

• Proven record of being civically engaged (volunteering, activism, community projects, nonprofit work, etc.)

• Proficiency in English (both written and spoken)

• Ready to commit to a one-year full-time fellowship starting September 2026

• Available to attend the annual International Conference in October 2026

• Have local residency status and authorization to work in the country of the fellowship to which you are applying (Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, or Greece)

• For males applying from Egypt: must either be exempt from military service, have already received the certificate of exemption, or have completed their military service

Application Process and Deadline

The call for fellows opens on May 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the local Lazord chapter in the applicant’s country of residence. The application deadline is June 4, 2026.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Identify your country’s local Lazord chapter from the table below.

2. Contact the designated contact person via email for your country.

3. Request or access the online application link.

4. Submit your complete application before the deadline.

Interviews will begin the week starting June 15, 2026. Successful applicants will begin to receive notification of acceptance the week starting July 6, 2026. The matchmaking process between fellows and host organizations begins in early September 2026, followed by placement in October 2026.

Contact Information by Country

Important note: The application link is provided by each local chapter upon request. Applicants should email the contact person to receive the link and further instructions.

Program Timeline (Key Dates)

For easy planning, here is the complete timeline of the 2026-2027 Lazord Fellowship cycle:

• May 4, 2026 – Call for fellows opens

• June 1, 2026 – Call for host organizations opens

• June 4, 2026 – Application deadline for fellows

• June 15, 2026 – Interviews begin this week

• July 5, 2026 – Application deadline for host organizations

• Week starting July 6, 2026 – Fellows begin to receive notification of acceptance

• Early September 2026 – Matchmaking process between fellows and host organizations begins

• October 2026 – International Conference (opening)

• October 2026 – Placement begins

• October 2027 – Fellowship ends

Why Apply to the Lazord Fellowship?

The Lazord Fellowship is more than a career opportunity — it is a leadership incubator. Fellows emerge with:

• A proven track record of working with host organizations on real-world social challenges

• Enhanced leadership and management capabilities

• A regional network of peers, mentors, and professionals across four countries

• Practical experience in research, teamwork, and public presentation

• A competitive edge for future employment in civil society, international organizations, social enterprises, or government

The program is especially suited for recent university graduates who have demonstrated civic engagement and wish to turn their idealism into impact. Whether your passion is education reform, women’s rights, youth empowerment, corporate engagement, or human rights advocacy, the Lazord Fellowship provides the platform, training, and mentorship to accelerate your journey.

Frequently Asked Notes

• The fellowship is full-time. Fellows cannot simultaneously hold another full-time job or enroll in full-time studies during the fellowship year.

• The living stipend is based on local costs — it is designed to cover basic living expenses but not lavish spending.

• Fellows are responsible for securing their own local residency and work authorization before the start of the fellowship.

• Egyptian male applicants must resolve military service status prior to applying — no exceptions.

• Previous fellows are not mentioned as ineligible, but each applicant must go through the competitive selection process annually.

For More Information

To learn more about the Lazord Fellowship, including detailed program descriptions, past fellow testimonials, and specific host organization profiles, please contact the local Lazord chapter in your country using the email addresses provided above. Each chapter can provide country-specific guidance and application forms.

The official application process is managed locally — there is no single global application portal. Always use the contact person and email listed for your country of residence.

 

Apply here

Learn More

• For more information about this opportunity, Click here
• More global Fellowship opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here