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Leadership programmes

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Our approach: three pillars, one coherent development experience 

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01

Transformative Leadership Development 

Individual coaching and mentoring, reflective practice, group learning and facilitated dialogue  all grounded in values-based and adaptive leadership development. Delivered online, in the UK and in partner countries, and led by professional trainers, facilitators and certified coaches. 

02

Dialogue with UK Institutions 

Residential UK programmes create space for direct engagement with Parliament and Government, civil society, media, universities and community organisations – building perspective, relationships and critical reflection across sectors and geographies.

03

Individually Tailored Professional Exchange 

Each participant benefits from connections with UK experts, practitioners and networks relevant to their work and leadership goals - creating relationships that extend long beyond the programme itself. 

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Rule of Law, Transparency and Technology Leadership Programme 2026-27

The JST's Rule of Law, Transparency and Technology Leadership Programme will bring together emerging leaders from Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia to explore how technological innovation can strengthen governance, support the rule of law and enhance institutional transparency. 

Ukraine Recovery & Reconstruction

We want to foster collaborative connections between counterparts in Ukraine and the United Kingdom. By developing and sharing expertise together, we can help ensure Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery is sustainable, fair and inclusive.

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A group of Fellows standing outside the grand, stone-build FCDO building

Leaders in Exile: Future of Belarus

This programme is for exceptional professionals from Belarus living in exile and working towards a free and peaceful future for their country.

This Fellowship supports leaders with passion and purpose to achieve their vision for fairer, more sustainable and inclusive societies and this year there is a focus on working with young people.

Climate Action & Sustainability Leadership Programme 2025-26

Last year, our thematic Wider Europe and Central Asia fellowship brought together emerging leaders united by a commitment to addressing the environmental challenges facing their countries and regions — from climate resilience and energy transition to sustainable governance and green skills.

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Wider Europe & Central Asia Fellowship Programme

In previous years, we have run a programme specifically for the Wider Europe & Central Asia region.

Wider Europe Fellowship Programme

In previous years, we have run a programme specifically for the Wider Europe region.

John Smith Trust: Wider Europe & Central Asia Fellowship
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Central Asia Fellowship Programme

In previous years, we have run a programme specifically for the Central Asia region.

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Ideas Exchange Forum

JST has a 30-year history of facilitating discussions and fostering collaborations with people who sometimes have very different backgrounds and points of view. Through our ‘ideas labs’ we bring together our change-makers, sense-makers and trust-builders to generate intersectional, multi-generational and cross-regional insights. And we foster connections to move from reflection to action.

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Hear from Fellows about their programme experience 

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Find out how to apply for our leadership programmes as an individual 

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See who we regularly partner with on programmes