News and Insights
How Ukrainian women in Scotland are building a future for Ukraine
Since the full-scale war started in Ukraine in 2022, thousands of displaced Ukrainian women have been based in Scotland, where they continue to work for Ukraine’s future and recovery. In Ukraine, many of them held influential positions in local governments, non-profit organisations, universities and corporations. Since being displaced, they have been looking for ways to contribute […]
Apply for our 2025-26 Wider Europe and Central Asia Fellowship
Are you a changemaker working to build a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive future? If so, our new Wider Europe and Central Asia Fellowship could support your work. Our 2025-26 Wider Europe and Central Asia fellowship programme is for exceptional professionals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. This year, […]
Shifting the power to communities: an “inner” Marshall Plan for Ukraine?
How can communities reduce their dependence on aid while building social and economic resilience and a democratic mindset? Vadim Georgienko’s citizen token system provides an elegant solution. Foreign aid has been essential to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia’s ongoing aggression since 2022 and remains so. But with aid comes a risk of dependency. What’s needed, […]
Can sharing stories help Armenia heal from trauma?
The descendants of survivors of the Armenian genocide (1915-1923) still live with inherited trauma, while historical wounds have been reopened for Armenians fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh. On 24 April, Armenians around the world commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The genocide began in 1915 in what was then the Ottoman Empire, with the murder of […]
Apply for our 2025-26 Future of Belarus Fellowship
Are you a Belarusian living in exile and working towards a free and peaceful future for your country? Our Leaders in Exile: Future of Belarus Fellowship could support your work. Our Future of Belarus fellowship programme is for exceptional Belarusian professionals who work with young people and who are passionate about achieving their vision for […]
The Kyrgyz Republic’s civil society looks for opportunities in adversity
As funding cuts and legal restrictions hinder the work of civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic, John Smith Fellows are looking for new opportunities for collaboration. Civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic is in crisis. The legal and political space in which it can operate is shrinking, while cuts in USAID funding threaten the existence […]
Kazakhstan: the economy needs people with relevant skills
Economist Adil Kusmanov believes human capital development is central to diversifying and transforming the economy. He brings this perspective to the Bolashak Centre, Kazakhstan’s prestigious international scholarship programme. Adil is the new chairman of the Centre for International Programs “Bolashak,” which he describes as “one of the biggest social lifts in Kazakhstan.” The programme, which […]
Turkmenistan: engaging young people in climate action
Gulshat Ayydova, an educator and activist from Turkmenistan, is working to empower young people in her country to speak up about climate change and other environmental issues. “We are doing our best to engage more young people around climate change issues and policies and ensure their voices are heard,” says Gulshat, a John Smith Fellow […]
Georgia: empowering youth to be active citizens
Youth leader Giga Phartenadze is working to engage young people in politics in Georgia and help them understand their rights against a backdrop of increasing state-led repression. Thousands of people in Georgia continue to protest violations of the electoral process during the October 2024 election and the government’s suspension of the EU accession process. The […]
Moldova: advocating for displaced people’s rights
People who flee Transnistria – a separatist region in Moldova – have no right to protection under Moldovan law. Human rights lawyer Vadim Vieru is advocating for legislation to change this. Transnistria is part of Moldova but has been under Russian control since 1992. The de facto government, supported by Russia, does not tolerate any […]
Azerbaijan: positive role models for women in finance
Gular Pashayeva is the first woman board member at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. She is on a mission to improve corporate governance and women’s representation in the financial sector in her country. “I always wanted to be at the table,” says Gular, a deputy governor at the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan […]
The identity of a nation is woven from fragile things
Three years after the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, the creative community of Ukraine continues to operate within the logic of developmental values rather than mere survival.
Three years on: What peace should be
Three years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, John Smith Fellow Ostap Kryvdyk reflects on what peace should be.
How the power of networking can contribute to a peaceful and democratic future
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine our immediate priority was to support Ukrainian John Smith Fellows in our network. In the longer term, we have had to rethink how we work.
Ukraine’s stolen children – the silent crisis that threatens the future
Right now, thousands of Ukrainian children do not know if their parents are alive. Tens of thousands have been taken to Russia, while hundreds of thousands have been lost in a broken system. Three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed the forced displacement of millions of Ukrainians, the abduction of […]
Resilience and leadership: John Smith Fellows shaping Ukraine’s future
Three years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, John Smith Fellows are focusing on systemic change and are at the forefront of Ukraine’s democratic transformation and recovery. In 2022, John Smith Fellows were delivering aid to displaced families and coordinating international donations. Today, they are focused on the critical need for long-term solutions. Fellows now […]
Tajikistan: sustainable banking for people and economy
John Smith Fellow Suhayli Abdulvahhobov explains how building a strong and sustainable banking system in Tajikistan can grow the economy, mitigate climate change and improve people’s lives. Suhayli works for the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), heading the banking analysis division in the banking supervision department, where he is involved in off-site supervision and the […]
Belarus: improving political engagement with diaspora communities
How do you sustain an opposition movement when your government has banned political parties? Political activist Ivan Kravtsov talks about his work during the 2020 Belarus election campaign and the challenges of politics in exile. Ivan is the executive secretary of the Coordination Council of Belarus and a key figure in his country’s opposition movement. He […]
Belarus: “I want to unite people through education”
Belarusian students have struggled to access international educational opportunities since the regime’s repression of dissenting voices and support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. John Smith Fellow and political activist Lizaveta Trakhalina is working to change that. Lizaveta is a Belarusian lawyer working for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and an activist who believes […]