The Budapest Balkans Forum is the flagship conference of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA). Drawing on the success of last year’s Budapest Balkans YOUTH Forum (BBYF) side-event, we invite applicants–university students and young professionals– from Visegrad countries and the Western Balkans to attend our 5-day spring school in the Hungarian capital.
The aim of the BBYF is to create a platform for young minds to discuss demographic challenges of Central and Southeast Europe, participate in a day-long simulation, professional sessions (including argumentation, rhetoric, communications etc.), to partake in the Budapest Balkans Forum and to explore the Hungarian capital through cultural programs.
The BBYF will be held in Budapest between 8-13 March, 2024.
Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the organizers.
Program structure
| 8 March (Friday) | Arrival of participants, welcome event |
| 9 March (Saturday) | Training day 1. |
| 10 March (Sunday) | Training day 2. |
| 11 March (Monday) | Day-long simulation |
| 12 March (Tuesday) | Budapest Balkans Forum |
| 13 March (Wednesday) | Budapest Balkans Forum, departure of participants |
ELIGIBILITY
- The BBYF event is open to university students (MA and PhD students), recent graduates and young professionals under the age of 30.
- Candidates must hold citizenship of the following states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia. Applications outside of these countries will be considered in extraordinary cases.
- Demonstrated interest in social and political sciences, including the demographic challenges of Central and Southeast Europe (i.e., brain drain, emigration).
- High-level command of written and spoken English is required.
APPLICATION:
Applicants are required to submit, in .pdf format as a single document:
· a professional CV;
· a 1-page motivation letter, expressing the applicant’s added-value to the BBYF;
· short (0.5 page/question) opinion pieces, answering to both questions:
- Where have you, in your professional or private life, experienced the consequences of brain drain or labour shortage?
- How would you mitigate the impact of demographic challenges?
Complete application packages should be uploaded to THIS form or just click the button on the top!
Application deadline is 26 January. Results of the selection procedure will be communicated to all applicants by 6 February.