Fellowship focus 2026: Green Recovery
Environmental damage from Russia’s war on Ukraine has had devastating consequences for natural resources, critical ecosystems and people’s health, livelihoods and security. A green recovery is about remedying that damage and setting Ukraine on a new path of environmental and social sustainability.
The John Smith Trust continues to support Ukraine and its leaders in their reconstruction and recovery efforts to enhance the resilience of their economy, institutions and communities and build back better.
This programme is for exceptional professionals in the hydrogen sector who are committed to working towards the sustainable recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Applicants can work in any sector, such as:
- public sector (public administration at local, regional or national levels, politics)
- non-profit sector (civil society, NGOs, think tanks, research/education institutions, media)
- private sector (legal professions, business/social business, finance).
But your work must relate to the programme’s focus on hydrogen innovation and development in Ukraine.
Why apply for the programme?
The programme is a chance for participants to gain insights into the values, ways of working and challenges faced by people and institutions in the UK, and to connect with counterparts and learn from each other’s work.
Participants will come to Scotland for a week-long residential programme, which will include group workshops and leadership training, discussions with parliamentarians and policy-makers, and visits to innovative hydrogen facilities in Aberdeen and Orkney. After completing the programme, participants will join the Trust’s community of Ukrainian Fellows and the wider Fellows’ network. They will have the opportunity to join in-person meetings in Kyiv with our Fellows and diplomats from the British Embassy, be invited to join our network-wide Ideas Exchange programmes in person and take part in country-focused and thematic online sessions.
Programme details
- The programme will explore how sustainable energy investments, innovative technologies, and resilient infrastructure can drive regional growth and self-reliance. The focus will be on scaling up renewable green energy projects, improving energy efficiency, and modernising grid infrastructure to provide stable, affordable, and clean energy to communities.
- The residential programme in Scotland will take place between 22 and 29 January 2026.
- The residential includes: leadership and debate training, group sessions and workshops as well as visits to public institutions, policy institutes, and NGOs and meetings with experts in the hydrogen sector.
- The residential will be followed by continued online and in-person engagement with the community of Fellows from Ukraine, the wider Fellows’ network and UK counterparts.
Please note that the dates may be subject to change. Attendance of all sessions is compulsory.
Eligibility
The Trust will select five exceptional and influential Ukrainian professionals to become John Smith Fellows. To apply you must:
- be aged 25-40
- be in permanent employment
- be a citizen of Ukraine
- speak and write fluent English (preferably having already studied or worked in English)
- demonstrate a clear professional focus on climate and sustainable development · demonstrate a commitment to the John Smith Trust’s shared values of tolerance, respect and openness towards one another
- demonstrate your potential as a leader in your chosen professional field, committed to building a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive society in your home country
- be prepared to make a substantial commitment dedicating time and effort into making the most of the programme and participating actively in the Fellow’s online and in-person community in the long term. Please see our Fellows’ Charter for more detail on what we expect from Fellows.
Application process
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to admin@johnsmithtrust.org
Interviews are expected to take place in September-October 2025 in Kyiv.
Applications close at midnight (BST) on 25 August 2025.
