Competition for Young Researchers

Competition for Young Researchers: Energy Security and Regional Cooperation in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan

The Think Tank “World Experience for Georgia" (WEG) invites young researchers from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to participate in a competition focused on Energy Security and Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus.

Selected researchers will work with mentors to develop a policy paper, which will be presented at a regional conference in early March 2025 in Tbilisi. The policy paper should focus on enhancing regional cooperation in the field of energy security and provide an in-depth analysis of the region's challenges and opportunities.

Competition Details:

Stage 1: Working Meeting

A working meeting will be held where experts will provide an overview of the current energy security landscape in the South Caucasus. Participants will gain insights into regional challenges and opportunities, which will inform their research proposals.

Stage 2: Concept Note Submission

Following the working meeting, participants will submit concept notes outlining their proposed research topics.

A committee will review these submissions, and three researchers (one from each country) will be selected to work with a mentor over the course of four months to develop a policy paper.

Each researcher selected for the final stage will receive a stipend of $850.

Eligibility: Young researchers up to 35 years old from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are eligible to apply.

Application Process:

Stage I:

Complete the online expression of interest form (link). after filling out the form, you will be invited to the workshop. Please note that to be able to attend the workshop you need to register before 20th October.
Attend a workshop on regional energy security trends, which will be held separately in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan for participants from each respective country (details will be shared with registered candidates). Participation in this meeting is encouraged but not mandatory.

Stage II:

Submit a research concept proposal (1-2 pages) and CV in English at weg@weg.ge

The concept proposal should address:

Problem description.
Methodology.

Language: English

Deadline for concept submission: October 30, 2024.

Evaluation Criteria

	Criteria	Maximum score
	Relevance to the Project Goals Does the concept note address key energy security challenges within the context of the Green Transition in the South Caucasus? How well does it align with the project's aim of fostering regional cooperation among Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia?	25%
	Evidence and Supporting Arguments Does the concept note provide a strong rationale for the proposed policy, supported by relevant data, research, or examples? How well does it demonstrate an understanding of the current regional dynamics and historical context?	25%
	Originality and Innovation Does the concept propose new ideas, approaches, or perspectives that can significantly impact regional cooperation?	20%
	Clarity and Focus Is the concept note clearly written and well-organized? Does it have a clear focus on a specific issue or set of issues within the broader context of energy security and regional cooperation? Is the concept grammatically and stylistically accurate?	15%
	Stakeholder Engagement and Inclusivity Does the abstract consider the involvement of key stakeholders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia? ( government entities, civil society, or other regional players) Does it promote the inclusion of diverse perspectives?	15%
Total score:		100

Note: To encourage women's participation, preference will be given to women applicants, all other factors being equal.

General Timeline:

October 21-25: Workshop for interested applicants
October 30: Submission of concept notes
November 10: Selection of the best concept notes and award of scholarships
November 10 – February 20: Mentorship and development of the policy paper
March 10: Presentation of policy papers at the regional conference
March 30: Translation of policy documents into local languages and publication

For more information, please contact weg@weg.ge

The project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) within the framework of the #EU4Dialogue project

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