Global Development Fellowship
Students selected to participate in the Global Development Fellowship have the opportunity to learn directly from local experts about international development topics ranging from socioeconomic challenges for refugees in Greece, access to public health and water infrastructure in rural Ghana, business development for indigenous communities in Panama, or urban and rural healthcare access in Honduras.
Each fellow will complete a research paper with support from Global Brigades’ Monitoring and Evaluation team and have the opportunity to network with peers from various universities as well as local experts from across the globe.
Who qualifies to apply?
During Global Development Fellowships, participants have a chance to meet other undergraduate students from around the world, network with international development experts, and gain a behind-the-scenes look at locally-driven health, economic, and WASH programs. There are limited spots available.
The following are encouraged to apply:
- Undergraduate students seeking international, immersive, and impact-driven volunteer opportunities
- Undergraduate students interested in leading sustainable development initiatives on their campus
- Current or aspiring Global Brigades Campus Chairpersons and Chapter Leaders
Honduras Highlight: Experience the Urban and Rural Medical Clinics
Located in the Honduran capital, the Tegucigalpa Urban clinic opened in October 2020 and has been a hub for quality healthcare in a bustling city. Although considered a “clinic,” the medical team provides a wide range of specialized services, including gynecology, dermatology, internal medicine, pediatrics, physicians, optometry, dentistry, and pharmacy. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to take part in a mobile medical clinic, shadowing licensed practitioners who provide care to rural communities that otherwise have little or no access to healthcare.
Research paper or blog article topic suggestions include topic, topic, topic, topic.
Greece Highlight: Learn From Refugee Business Owners
Fellows in Greece will have the opportunity to learn from and take part in the economic transformation of refugee and migrant communities. Migrants and refugees face serious challenges when integrating into the local society, are often financially excluded, and have difficulties navigating a new healthcare system.
Research paper or blog article topic suggestions include topic, topic, topic, topic.
Hands-On Sustainable Development and Leadership
Hands-On Sustainable Development and Leadership
Our Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Related Programs
- Medical
- Dental
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Related Programs
- Engineering
- Public Health
- Water
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Related Programs
- Business
- Human Rights
Monitoring & Evaluation: Impact with Global Brigades
Mobile Clinics
Mobile medical clinics and preventative health workshops are implemented within partner communities through the utilization of student and health professional volunteers. Community members are provided with pro-bono general medical consultations, pap-smears, vision screenings and other specialized care based on the scope of the health professionals.Dental Care
At mobile clinics, dental professionals, with volunteer assistance, provide a variety of dental care services to patients including cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Dental education workshops are implemented with children in the community, who are also provided with fluoride treatments.Community Health Workers
Select volunteers living in the community are trained by our staff to become Community Health Workers (CHWs). CHWs provide basic medical care, monitor chronic conditions, and serve as point persons for urgent care cases year-round.Regular Access to Doctors & Medication
Global Brigades' Healthcare Professional Access program provides affordable access to doctors and medication on a regular (monthly-quarterly) basis using a financially sustainable model. Patients can access general medical consultations, optometry, OBGYN, and dental care in their own community.Community Banks
Local leaders are identified and trained by our staff and volunteers to organize Community-Owned Banks to provide critical financial services to the community. Local governments recognize these banks as legitimate institutions allowing them to provide access to savings and loans.Access to Capital
Community banks provide access to savings, loans, and financial literacy. Through regular training, our staff and volunteers work to create a culture of savings in the community alongside the creation of the banks. Saving demonstrates the value of longer-term horizons, and goal setting provides for a safety net and capitalizes local banks with funds available for entrepreneurs to take loans or create micro-enterprises. In addition, access to loans and education on responsible loan usage allows communities to further grow their businesses.Income Growth
Our staff identifies business opportunities and facilitates consulting projects between volunteers and entrepreneurs to help small businesses grow. Staff and volunteers help entrepreneurs determine the financial return on potential investments and whether loans are a prudent tool for growth.Investment
Volunteers and donors contribute essential funds for community-owned banks to lend to local businesses for their investments. The funds are repaid and recirculated back into the local economy, exponentially growing the accounts. Commonly, our banks start with just a few hundred dollars but will grow within 2-3 years of having more than $10,000 USD. For communities averaging about 100 homes and making less than $2 it can be life-changing.Clean Water System Design
Water systems are designed, planned, and budgeted with partner communities, international volunteers and the support of our local staff of engineers. Designs take into account accessible water sources and community needs with the goal to provide clean water piped directly to families’ homes.WASH Leadership
Local leaders are identified by the community to serve as the community’s Water Council, which collects monthly water fees from households to operate and maintain the constructed water system. This locally empowered team ensures the future sustainability of the project once construction is complete and receives regular follow-up from our local staff. A Basic Sanitation Committee is also trained to carry out in-home assessments of Public Health projects, such as latrines, clean burning stoves, and water storage units.Clean Water System Construction
Once designed, clean water systems are constructed with local community members working alongside volunteers and local engineers. Systems include the collaboration between community members, government and Global Brigades. Construction may take several months to complete and can include several large-scale components, such as dams and storage tanks.Healthy Households
Volunteers, masons and families work together to implement projects to improve health, hygiene and sanitation. Eco-stoves to target respiratory diseases, latrines and water filters to decrease the spread of infectious diseases and parasites, and water storage units and showers to improve hand washing and hygiene. Through collaboration with Community Banks, families save in order to contribute financially to their WASH infrastructure, thus investing in their own health.Fellowship Program Contribution
Each selected Fellow is granted a scholarship for the immersive portion of the program. Fellows will contribute an additional amount of funding staffing, ground transportation, flights, food, lodging, and emergency insurance, and are encouraged to fundraise to do so.
The flight cost can also be added to the donation goal, should fellows choose to book airfare through the Global Brigades’ travel team.
2023 Month, date, year: Global Development Fellowship in GREECE: $$$ (USD)*
2023 Month, date, year:
Global Development Fellowship in Honduras: $$$ (USD)*
*One month prior, there will also be the addition of a COVID donation goal to account for appropriate PPE and testing given the current requirements.
Apply Now
Questions?
You may contact madison.sweitzer@globalbrigades.org if you have any questions about the Global Fellowship
