Soros Foundation Moldova offered fellowships to five young researches as part of the Public Policies for Development training program, known as the Public Policy Fellowships Program, which is implemented in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). The two-module training program involved 21 young people who learned about public policies and social research methodology, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the Foundation.

“Starting with 2017, Soros Foundation Moldova has implemented the Public Policy Fellowship Program in partnership with the national foundations in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and the Hertie School in Berlin. So far, Soros Foundation Moldova offered 26 fellowships to researchers interested in public policies. The young people conducted policy studies, identified solutions to pressing problems faced in society based on data analysis and formulated clear and feasible recommendations for the authorities,” said Natalia Camburian, director of the Good Governance Department of Soros Foundation Moldova.

“The development of the public policy framework should be an exercise based on data, analyses and evidence collected according to rigorous research methods. That’s why we set the goal of raising a new cohort of young researchers so as to develop their critical thinking, research and advocacy skills. In this connection, the Foundation developed this fellowship program that helps the young people to formulate high-quality evidence-based public policy proposals,” stated Soros Foundation Moldova executive director Petru Culeac.

The studies of the young researches will be presented to society and to the relevant public authorities. While working on public policy studies, the young people will benefit from mentoring from experts contracted by IPRE, from an additional module of training in advocacy and public communication and from fact-finding visits to relevant public institutions and research centers.