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UN Climate Change’s Fellowship Programme equips mid-career professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with hands-on experience and specialised training. Thanks to new funding from Portugal and Italy, more professionals can now contribute to global climate action while enhancing their expertise.
Portugal’s funding specifically supports professionals from Portuguese-speaking SIDS and LDCs to work in the secretariat’s Transparency Division, while Italy’s contribution funds fellowship opportunities in the Means of Implementation and Adaptation divisions.
Officially known as the Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in One Year (CAPACITY), the fellowship enables mid-career professionals already working in government roles within SIDS or LDCs to gain first-hand experience at UN Climate Change in Bonn, Germany, for up to two years.
Candidates are selected with the understanding that their development and training will strengthen their home organisations’ capacity to address climate challenges.
“The CAPACITY Fellowship Programme is an opportunity to bridge the gap between global policy and local realities. One that empowers mid-career professionals to navigate complex political landscapes and bring their unique voices to global climate action,” said Alejandro Kilpatrick, Means of Implementation Manager at UN Climate Change. “The programme not only develops the expertise and knowledge of professionals from LDCs and SIDS, but their distinct perspectives also make a meaningful contribution to our work.”
The initiative serves three core purposes: support innovative and analytical work on climate change within the framework of sustainable development, build a global network of creative experts tackling climate issues, and nurture the leadership potential of promising professionals in their respective fields.
Former fellows highlight the programme’s transformative impact. Marie Stephania Perrine, who worked in the Means of Implementation Division from 2023 to 2025, describes the fellowship as “a significant milestone in my career, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to global climate action while honing my skills.”
Milan Dhungana, a fellow in the Transparency Division from 2023 to 2025, noted: “The fellowship was an enriching experience that provided invaluable learning opportunities. The skills and insights gained during this fellowship will be instrumental in advancing climate transparency actions in my home country.”
Fellow participants gain practical experience, including supporting the work of constituted bodies, engaging in intergovernmental processes, drafting reports, organizing meetings and events, and representing UN Climate Change at high-level engagements.
Having served in the Means of Implementation Division from 2023 to 2025, Yiaser Arafat Rubel has the following advice for future fellows: “Share your knowledge and experience with your fellow cohort. This significantly enhances collective knowledge, offers diverse perspectives, and fosters a deeper understanding of the work being undertaken.”
