Ukraine as a European Asset — Fellowship 2027
Two fellowships for practitioners in Germany · January to May 2027 · deadline 29 November 2026
Germany keeps asking what Ukraine costs. It rarely asks what Ukraine brings. The German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) is looking for two fellows who help change that: one with the focus on eastern Germany, and one with the topical focus on economy and labor market. For five months, you carry out your own idea in your region or field, with an honorarium, a budget for one public event and our network behind you.
Why this fellowship
Our project “Ukraine as a European Asset” presents Ukraine as a partner whose experience and capabilities make Germany and Europe more secure, more resilient and more competitive. Many people already make this case where they live and work, mostly as volunteers and without a budget. The fellowship gives them time, money and a platform.
Fellowship A — Eastern Germany
In eastern Germany, 54 percent say that supporting Ukraine with weapons goes too far, against 39 percent in the west (infratest dimap, September 2026). At the same time, four in ten East Germans feel strongly threatened by Russia. Weapons are argued about a lot, but they are not the only conversation worth having. This fellowship is about the other conversations: about Ukrainians as neighbours, colleagues and entrepreneurs, about town partnerships and local economies. We are looking for someone who already works with people and institutions in eastern Germany — in a municipality or town partnership, civil society, education, a church community, local media, a Ukrainian community organisation or a regional business network.
Ideas, for example:
a series of conversations in a Saxon or Thuringian town with Ukrainians who live and work there.
a local media series on Ukrainian entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the region.
a meeting that brings a town partnership with Ukraine together with local businesses.
Fellowship B — Economy and Work
Of the 1,108 German poll results on Ukraine in our database, only 7 measure Ukraine’s economic value to Germany — against 228 on military aid alone. Yet Ukraine is a partner in reconstruction, energy and industry. Around 1.26 million Ukrainians have found protection in Germany. Of those of working age, four in ten have a job here; in Poland, Czech Republic and the Netherlands, it is around two thirds. The gap is home-made, and it is untapped potential for local businesses. We are looking for someone at the intersection of business and Ukraine — in a chamber of commerce or business association, a company or start-up, a trade union, a labour-market or integration project, or in research or journalism — who wants to make the economic case visible for German companies, employees and regions.
Ideas, for example:
a short brief with three company cases: what German firms gain from Ukrainian partners or employees.
an employer breakfast with a chamber of commerce on hiring Ukrainian professionals.
a data story on Ukraine’s place in German supply chains and energy supply.
What you do
Develop one product on your topic, for example a short analysis, a series of articles or op-eds, a podcast or video format, a data story or a local case study. The format is up to you.
Organise one public-facing format in your region or sector: a discussion, workshop, town-hall meeting, school visit or business breakfast. We help with planning, invitations and costs.
Join a short monthly online call with the DUB team and send a brief monthly update (half a page).
Present your results at the project’s closing event in May 2027; they feed into our recommendations to German decision-makers.
Time commitment: about 8 hours per week.
What we offer
An honorarium of EUR 1,000 per month (EUR 5,000 in total), on a freelance basis. The honorarium is taxable and may count towards social benefits.
A budget of up to EUR 1,500 for your public event and travel within Germany.
A platform: publication on DUB’s website and channels, and a speaking slot at the closing event in May 2027.
Access to our network in Berlin and the regions — politics, ministries, business, think tanks, media and Ukrainian civil society — and regular exchange with the DUB team.
A kick-off meeting in Berlin in January (travel costs covered).
Who can apply
You live in Germany; for Fellowship A, in eastern Germany (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt or Thuringia), or you have strong roots and networks there.
You are already active in your region or field and reach people beyond the usual Ukraine circles.
You speak German very well. English or Ukrainian is helpful, but not required.
You can work on a freelance basis (issue invoices).
We particularly welcome applications from Ukrainians living in Germany and from people who grew up in eastern Germany.
How to apply
Send one PDF by Sunday, 29 November 2026, 23:59 CET to office@du-bureau.org, subject line “Fellowship 2027 – A” or “Fellowship 2027 – B”:
CV (max. 2 pages).
Motivation (max. 1 page): why this topic, why you, which networks you bring
Your idea (max. 1 page): the product and the public format you want to realise in five months (January-May 2027).
Optional: one work sample or link.
Applications in German or English are welcome.
Timeline
Deadline 29 November 2026 · online interviews (30 minutes) 7–11 December · decision by 16 December · fellowship 11 January – 31 May 2027.
Selection criteria
Roots and networks in the region or sector · a convincing idea that can be realised in five months · reach beyond the usual circles · independence and credibility.
About DUB and the project
The German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) is a non-profit organisation based in Düsseldorf, with a team working across Düsseldorf and Berlin. Through analysis, advocacy and practical cooperation, we connect German and Ukrainian decision-makers in politics, business and civil society. The fellowship is part of the project “Ukraine as a European Asset”, which DUB implements with support from the Open Society Foundations.
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