OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme 2026

This is a fully funded, 4-week training event in Geneva for Indigenous human rights defenders and community representatives. It’s designed to strengthen knowledge of the UN human rights system and empower participants to advocate for their communities.

What’s included:

• Return travel to Geneva and support for living expenses during the programme
• Basic health insurance for the duration of the training
• Simultaneous interpretation in multiple languages so participants can engage fully regardless of their language background

Who can apply:

• Indigenous persons nominated by an Indigenous community or organization
• Must have working knowledge of English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese
• No strict age or formal education requirements—experience and commitment matter most
• Participants should be ready to share what they learn with their communities after the fellowship

Structure & Timing:

• The programme takes place over 4 weeks, typically during June or July, aligned with the UN’s Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Application deadline: 15 September 2025