Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP)

In 2024, the School of Public Administration at the University of Gothenburg and the School of Social Sciences at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs are organizing a thematic module as part of the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) focusing on Migration and Integration: Challenges and Good Practices for the Development of Inclusive Societies.

This module is open for applications from citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine, between the ages of 25-40. Applicants need not reside in their country of citizenship.

Please note that public sector employees in Belarus are not eligible to participate in SAYP activities, either physically or online.

We welcome applications from young professionals working in politics, administration, the public sector, civil society and business who have the mandate to bring about change within their organization. Applicants should be able to document their ability to have an impact on their organization in one way or another.  This includes, but is not limited to: organizational priorities, policies and working methods. We firmly believe that organizational staff working at all levels of an organization can achieve meaningful change if given the mandate to do so.

Module Details

Migration and integration remain at the very top of the agenda throughout SAYP program countries. Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has resulted in vast numbers of Ukrainians who are either internally displaced or seeking a safe harbor abroad. States, regions, municipalities, and civil society organizations across the European Union continue mobilizing to address ongoing needs, and are grappling with the expected consequences of the likely expiration of the Temporary Protection Directive in 2025.

At the same time, other pressing challenges remain. These include ongoing work in the EU to foster increased integration for the large number of refugees who arrived from Syria and other countries in 2015, contentious majority-minority relations involving ethnic Russians in the Baltics, the ongoing needs of internally displaced Georgians, substantial brain drain in Moldova, and the weaponization of migration along the borders to the European Union, as well as other wars and conflicts resulting in forced displacement.

Module aims

Against these challenges, the first aim/purpose of the program is to assist participants in developing a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse political, societal, and administrative challenges associated with migration and integration of particular relevance to SAYP Eastern Europe program counties. The second aim/purpose is to focus on identifying good practices, at all levels of governance, with an emphasis on collaborative ventures that can be developed across organizations and have the potential for making meaningful changes with limited resources.

Module organization

The module relies on a mix of lectures, problem-based learning exercises, seminars and project work, providing participants with a rich analytical and practical toolkit for addressing migration and integration issues of relevance. To achieve this, we examine cases primarily within Eastern Europe, but also other countries. Understandably, internal displacement and refugee flows as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine will receive particular attention. While in Tbilisi, there will be an opportunity for study visits highlighting how practical ways in which good practices can be developed to assist refugees and internally displaced peoples. Additionally, we problematize recent developments in Swedish migration and integration policy. The module will include a preparatory activity that allows participants a chance to reflect on, and inform one another about migration and integration issues in their own countries, and an optional follow-up conference taking place at University of Gothenburg in May, 2025.

About the organizers

The School of Public Administration at the University of Gothenburg is the leading Swedish academic department training students for careers in Swedish public administration, and has a well-established track record of providing commissioned education to public actors throughout Sweden seeking to increase staff competency. School staff have been actively involved in a variety of initiatives focusing on migration and integration policy. These include externally funded international research projects, courses and international summer schools, and cooperation with major European cities to develop more effective integration policies.

The School of Social Sciences at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs features staff with wide-ranging practical and research experience in integration policies, with a particular focus on the refugees and internally displaced peoples. School staff are actively involved with an extensive network of practitioners in both the public sector and civil society who work with migration and integration initiatives throughout Georgia and beyond. Staff at the School have been the recipient of multiple program grants focusing on the development of educational, economic and civic initiatives for refugees and IDPs.

Practical matters

Round-trip airfare, meals and accommodation in Tbilisi are included. Accommodation will be shared double accommodation in a local hostel.

The language of instruction is English.

Applications are made directly to the module co-organizer, Professor Gregg Bucken-Knapp (School of Public Administration, University of Gothenburg) and must be sent by email to gregg.bucken-knapp@gu.se. The application period closes on April 5, 2024 at 23.59. Please note that the subject line for the email to Professor Bucken-Knapp including your application materials must read: SAYP2024 APPLICATION.

Your application must contain the following documents, all of which can be downloaded here:

• Motivation letter: Make sure to read the questions thoroughly and be specific and personal in your reasoning. Without exception, answers may not exceed the allowed number of characters (letters and spaces) for each question.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the Europass format of maximum 3 pages. A CV submitted in any other format than the Europass is NOT valid. Additional pages will be disregarded.
• Letter of Reference. Remember that a letter of reference that is not signed is NOT valid. Only one letter of reference is required.
• English language certificate. 
  • To participate in SAYP 2024 we will require at least English 6 or Independent User B2 (in average) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This must be verified in one out of three ways mentioned here:
  • If you have completed a BA/BSc, master’s- or PhD degree in English, you may use the diploma as a certificate.
  • If you have other certificates that can prove your level of English, this will be also be accepted. It should include contact details to certifying authority. Your certificate should be issued no later than 5 years ago.
  • If you do not have an English language certificate, kindly prepare the template for English language certificate to be submitted with your application. An English language teacher or other professional who has studied English language (higher education), may evaluate your language proficiency and sign the template.

Further details can be found at the SI Academy for Young Professionals website.

If you are interested in learning more about the module and the application process, there will be two information sessions held on Zoom, where the organizers will hold a short presentation about the module and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please register for one of the meetings using the links below:

March 18, 2024, 17.00-18.00 CET

March 25, 2024, 17.00-18.00 CET

Migration and Integration: Challenges and Good Practices for the Development of Inclusive Societies is funded by the Swedish Institute as a part of SI Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP).