Grow the Future

A Network of Green Voices

Grow the Future - a network of green voices promotes the next generation of progressive voices in Germany by offering exceptional opportunities for international learning and dialogue on urgent policy challenges. It aims to create a network of promising young activists and professionals who are leading movements and initiatives to tackle the biggest challenges of our time—from fighting climate change, to protecting human rights and open societies, to ensuring a sustainable future for the next generation. We achieve this by bringing together groups working to create change in two of our topic areas on a study tour to the US in the spring or early summer and hosting an alumni meeting at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Headquarters in Berlin in the fall.

Call for Applications: Resilient Alliances for Democracy

Apply by March 3.

In the face of an increasingly radicalized right, the future of our liberal democracies depends on the willingness and ability of pro-democracy actors to forge strong alliances.

We invite candidates with a professional interest in building pro-democratic coalitions that further progressive policies and effectively counter anti-democratic forces to apply for a study tour to the United States.

With the 2024 Grow the Future study tour, the participants will travel to Washington, DC and Lansing, Michigan to share lessons between the US and Germany about how democratic actors can effectively communicate what is at stake and forge broad, stable, and successful alliances for liberal democracy.

We believe that positive examples of strong pro-democratic alliances in the US exist. Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, and her diverse network of supporters for example have succeeded in bridging cultural differences, countering right-wing forces, and achieving progressive goals.

The group will meet with progressive policymakers and campaigners as well as civil society organizations, trade unions, and climate movements, and experts from academia and think tanks. The tour will provide opportunities to share experiences and discuss challenges and strategies with partners.

Following the study tour, participants will be expected to share their experiences with their local networks back in Germany. They will also become part of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s Grow the Future network, through which alumni support each other to strengthen progressive and green policies.

Grow the Future promotes the next generation of Green voices by offering exceptional opportunities for international learning and dialogue on Green policy challenges. It aims to create a network of promising young policy makers, professionals and activists in Germany who are leading Green initiatives - to fight climate change, protect liberal democracy, human rights and open societies, and ensure a sustainable future for the next generation. The network launched in 2020, when the first cohort traveled to Miami and New Orleans to understand how local communities respond to the challenges of the climate crisis and climate-induced migration. In 2022, the second cohort traveled to Canada and Pittsburgh to learn about smart and sustainable mobility. Our 2023 cohort visited South Bend, Indiana and Washington, DC to explore how coalitions between the climate movement and labor organizations serve as crucial facilitators in bringing about green, progressive legislation such as the Green New Deal.

WHO CAN APPLY

We seek candidates who are building alliances for pro-democratic, progressive or Green initiatives in Germany in at least one of the following ways:

  • as elected officials or policy advisors at local, state, national, or European level;
  • as pro-democracy leaders or activists in progressive or climate movements;
  • as campaigners or political strategists in non-profit organizations, in the private sector or in labor organizations;
  • as democracy researchers or experts in academia or think tanks;
  • or as analysts in the media.

Applicants should explain how their work or activism contributes to building resilient and successful pro-democratic alliances and articulate how the study tour will advance their efforts.

Applicants should be between the ages of 21 and 35.

Inclusion: The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung believes that the diversity of participants enhances learning. We especially encourage women, members of the LGBTQI+ community, minorities, candidates of disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities to apply.

Note: We do not require candidates to be German citizens. However, candidates should be primarily based in Germany and demonstrate that they are actively participating in German civil society.

WHAT'S EXPECTED

  • Participate in a study tour to the United States: All applicants must be available to participate in a study tour to the United States from May 5 to May 11, 2024. Selected participants will be expected to participate in all meetings, share their experiences and be actively engaged during the entire study tour.  
  • Come prepared to share your expertise and experience with other participants and our meeting partners in the US. The program is designed in a way that we can all learn from each other. 
  • Come with an open, curious mind: We wish for all participants to explore democratic alliances in a new context, ask questions, and look for transferable lessons.
  • Actively engage on social media: While participating in the study tour, participants are encouraged to engage with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung over Twitter/X, Instagram, and/or Linkedin. The foundation will publish a profile of each participant on the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC website.  
  • Actively shape the alumni network: Successful applicants should be open to a longer-term involvement with the Grow the Future alumni network. The network is designed to support candidates in their work, and to facilitate an active exchange of ideas on democratic policy challenges. There will be an alumni meeting in Berlin, Germany, in November 2024 (dates to be announced soon, costs covered by the foundation).  
  • Have professional competency in English. 

WHAT WE OFFER

The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC will cover all major costs of the study tour, including flights, transportation, accommodation, and most meals. If relevant, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC will also cover the cost of associated visa fees.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the instructions carefully as we will not consider incomplete applications. Applications should consist of: 

  1. Resume: Please use a standard US format. Standard US resumes include contact information but no other personal information such as pictures, date of birth or marital/familial status, and are a maximum of two pages. Please indicate your age in the cover letter, as the study tour is limited to candidates between the ages of 21 and 35.
  2. Cover letter: Please submit a one page letter outlining your motivation and qualifications for joining the study tour and becoming part of the Grow the Future alumni network. Describe what you hope to learn from the trip and how you will contribute to the dialogue during the tour and later on as part of the alumni network. Explain what you can contribute to building resilient pro-democratic alliances. 
  3. Challenge statement: We are curious to better understand your work. Please include a short statement (150-300 words) about the biggest challenge you are facing in your work right now. It does not need to be directly related to the topics of the tour.

The resume, cover letter, and challenge statement should be submitted in English.

Click here to submit your application.

The application deadline is 11:59pm EST on March 3, 2024. We strongly encourage early applications. 

For questions and inquiries, please contact Ella Mueller at ella.mueller[at]us.boell.org or Teresa Eder at teresa.eder[at]us.boell.org.

Staff

2023 Study Tour on Building Coalitions for a Green New Deal

From June 21 - 29, 2023, our 2023 cohort of policy experts, politicians, urban planners, and union staff and activists visited South Bend, Indiana and Washington, DC to explore how coalitions between the climate movement and labor organizations serve as crucial facilitators in bringing about green, progressive legislation such as the Green New Deal. They met with organizers at the forefront of the new labor movement, leading facilators between climate organizers and established unions, and on-the-ground activists fighting for a just transition.