Aspen Young Leaders Program

This program offers emerging young leaders from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, or Slovakia the opportunity to improve their personal and professional skills as well as expand their private network while reflecting on what it means to be a good leader in today’s world.

The Call for Applications is closed right now.

Once or twice a year, we put together an interdisciplinary group of approx. 30 young people from Central Europe who, over four days, debate the role of leaders, their core values, the challenges we are facing in today’s society, and the role we play in solving them.

Program:

• The Program takes place in remote places in Central Europe and is consistent with the basic Aspen idea of stepping away from the daily routine and reflecting on underlying societal values.
• It offers various formal and informal activities to create an environment conducive to sharing ideas, learning, and networking. The agenda includes lectures, workshops, case studies as well as leisure activities.
• The Program also includes workshops that develop participants’ soft skills and provide an opportunity for them to share their individual work with one another. It provides participants the opportunity to network and discuss together in a unique, inspirational gathering.

The uniqueness of the Program lies in:

• Its objectives, which allow people to open up, come out of their comfort zones, move beyond their limits, and share their personal experiences and stories. The participants have the opportunity to share their views on what it means to be a leader in such a complicated global world.

• Its intensity and density. There is not a lot of free time, the participants need to focus and work together almost non-stop.

• Its inspiring speakers from various sectors in Central Europe.

• Its participants, who are a diversified and interdisciplinary group of inspiring young leaders from Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, or long-term residents living and acting in central Europe.

• Its focus on dialogue. The program triggers further cooperation and open conversations among participants, connecting them with the rest of the Alumni group.

• Its environment, which provides the possibility to network and discuss together in a safe, unique, and inspirational gathering.

• Its sessions that develop participants’ soft skills.

• Its purpose: not to teach participants hard skills and textbook knowledge BUT to invite them to listen, reflect, and feel challenged, inspired, and motivated in their next professional steps. 

• Its alumni. Graduates become part of a loose network of Alumni that support and inspire each other, providing an understanding bubble of friends, and building professional and personal ties. 

The Aspen Young Leadres Program is defined by the strong emphasis on the quality and diversity of speakers coming from business, arts, academia, politics, science, sports or the non-profit sector, and the broad array of topics and open conversations. We invite outstanding and inspiring professionals from Central Europe, who debate the role of leaders and issues critical for the region’s development. The emphasis on cross-sectoral speakers guarantees thought-provoking perspectives and triggers further cooperation among the already interdisciplinary group of AYLP participants.

Participation Criteria – the prospective candidate must be:

• Aged approx. 22 – 35, and of Czech, Hungarian, Polish, or Slovak nationality or a long-term resident living and acting in Central Europe
• Fluent in English
• Professionally active in politics, business, media, the arts, sports, science, or the nonprofit sector

Selection Criteria – the prospective candidate should be:

• An exceptional individual (who, for example, holds a leading position at work, is working on an innovative project, is leading a team of people, is contributing to an extraordinary field of work, has extraordinary achievements, is a disrupting leader, etc.)
• An open-minded and active citizen, who is interested in tackling current challenges
• Willing to promote cooperation among different professions and segments of society

Selection Process

Aspen Institute CE will select approx. 30 participants who best match the selection criteria, bringing together a balanced mix of participants concerning their professional background, nationality, and gender. Selected candidates will receive an invitation along with the Program agenda and organizational details.

• Call for Applications is usually opened 4-5 months prior to the Program.
• Specific dates are shared on our website right here or in the News section. 
• You can follow us on our social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram) where we announce the Call for Applications and other important information.
•  For any other questions feel free to contact us at AYLP@AspenInstituteCE.org.

The program fee is 850 EUR. Aspen Institute CE can offer a discount in the form of a scholarship to a limited number of applicants. Applicants can request the scholarship in the application.

• The Program is organized by the Aspen Institute Central Europe, the Central European partner of the international Aspen network. The Program is facilitated by experienced leaders and expert moderators.
• The Program is supported by Direct Insurance and VIGO Investments.

After completing the program, participants become part of the Aspen Institute Alumni network. They are invited to remain involved in the Institute’s activities and its development as well. They are encouraged to continue to support one another and are further supported by the Aspen Institute. The Alumni will be invited to various events organized by Aspen Institute Central Europe and further supported in cooperation and networking. You can take a look at our Alumni network of former participants and their references.