Connect with Fellows
Share your expertise. Gain a world of perspective.
JST Fellows are exceptional people. They are leaders, practitioners and advocates working – often in challenging conditions – to advance equitable, sustainable and peaceful societies across Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
When you host a Fellow, you are not simply offering your time. You are entering into a genuine exchange – one that has the potential to broaden your own understanding, challenge your assumptions and connect you with a region and a set of experiences that few UK professionals have direct access to.
What does hosting involve?
As part of each JST leadership programme, Fellows take part in an individually tailored professional exchange – a series of one-to-one meetings with UK experts, practitioners and organisations whose work is relevant to their sector, interests and leadership goals.
We match Fellows carefully and thoughtfully, so every meeting is purposeful for both sides. There is no long-term commitment involved – you are only asked to host one Fellow at a time, and we will always check availability and fit before making an introduction. Hosting typically involves:
- A one-to-one meeting of one to two hours, in person or online
- Sharing your professional experience, insights and perspective on your field
- Conversation about how challenges in your area manifest differently across contexts and regions
- An open exchange – Fellows bring their own expertise, and there is much to learn on both sides
There is no financial commitment involved. Your most valuable contribution is your time, knowledge and willingness to engage with curiosity and openness.
What you can expect to gain
Fellows arrive with deep expertise, lived experience and a nuanced understanding of some of the most complex political, social and environmental challenges of our time. Hosting a meeting is an opportunity to:
- Gain fresh perspectives on your own field from leaders working in very different contexts
- Develop a richer understanding of Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia – regions that are shaping global trends in governance, security, climate and social justice
- Build lasting professional connections across borders and sectors
- In some cases, open doors to visits and collaborations in countries not always easily accessible without the trust and relationships that JST helps to foster
Who are we looking for?
We work with professionals and experts across a wide range of sectors and thematic areas, including
Better governance, justice and security
Equity, diversion and inclusion
Climate action, sustainability and energy transitions
Media, communications and public diplomacy
Economic resilience, connectivity and innovation
Civil society, community organising and social enterprise
If your work touches on any of these areas – and if you believe in the value of cross-border dialogue and collaborative leadership – we would love to hear from you.
Meet a Fellow
If you are interested in meeting a JST Fellow, please get in touch at hello@jst.org. We will match you with Fellows whose goals and interests align with your expertise, and support you through the process from start to finish.
These connections, made with UK experts, practitioners and organisations, create opportunities for meaningful exchange, practical learning and long-term relationship-building.
Erika Paine, JST network manager
