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True Blue Fellowship for Environmental and Creative Action
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Publish Date 8/10/2026 Application Deadline 8/30/2026 Opportunity Type Fellowships Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

The True Blue Fellowship is a global programme by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation that aims to empower young people to use creative arts as a primary tool for environmental awareness and action, with a focus on protecting oceans and waterways and addressing climate change. The fellowship provides funding of up to USD 2,500, in addition to mentorship, capacity building, and support from a community of young environmental leaders.

The fellowship is designed for young people with new or emerging projects, or project ideas that can be implemented during the fellowship period. Creative arts must serve as the primary means of creating change and engaging with the local community. A total of 12 fellows are selected to participate in the programme.
Details
  • Organiser: Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation.
  • Target Audience: Young people aged 16 to 24 at the beginning of the fellowship period in January.
  • Number of Fellows: 12 fellows are selected for the programme.
  • Project Areas: Ocean protection, waterways, climate change, and related environmental and social justice issues.
  • Core Project Approach: Projects must use creative arts as a primary means of raising awareness and/or taking action, including visual art, poetry, music, performance, and other forms of creative expression.
  • Eligible Projects: New or emerging projects that have been started no more than two years ago.
  • Project Duration: Projects are expected to last at least one year, from January through December, and may continue after the fellowship period ends.
  • Programme Location: Global, with activities and communication taking place online; relocation to a specific country is not required.
  • Language: Applications must be submitted in English. Translation tools such as Google Translate may be used to prepare written applications, but applicants should be able to communicate in spoken English in order to participate in discussions and collaborate with fellow fellows.
  • Funding: Up to USD 2,500 per fellow to support the project.
  • Fees: No application fee is specified by the website.
  • Application: Applications are submitted through the official online application form.
  • Required Documents: One recommendation letter from someone who knows the applicant well and is familiar with their project, abilities, commitment, and potential. The recommender cannot be a family member or friend.
  • Budget and Timeline: Applicants must provide an appropriate project budget and timeline. They may use Bow Seat templates or create their own.
  • Number of Applications: Each young person may submit only one application to the fellowship.
  • Individual or Group Application: Applicants may apply individually or as part of a group or organisation, but one eligible person must be designated as the project leader and primary fellow.
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence: AI may be used for learning or research, but all application responses must be written by the applicant themselves. AI-generated application responses will result in disqualification.
  • Selection Process: Applications are reviewed during September and October, followed by the selection of a shortlist. Finalist interviews take place in November, after which the final fellows are selected.
Eligibility Criteria
  • The applicant must be 16 to 24 years old at the beginning of the fellowship period in January.
  • The applicant may be from any country in the world.
  • Applicants may apply individually or as part of a group or organisation.
  • If applying as a group or organisation, one age-eligible person must be designated as the project leader and primary fellow.
  • The project must be new or emerging and must not have started more than two years ago.
  • Groups or organisations that have existed for more than two years may apply if the proposed project itself is less than two years old.
  • The project must use creative arts as a primary means of raising awareness and/or creating change.
  • The project must be related to protecting oceans or waterways and/or addressing climate change.
  • The project must have realistic and achievable objectives.
  • The project must include an appropriate budget and timeline.
  • The project must have the potential to create a meaningful and measurable impact on the local community and environment.
  • The applicant must be able to communicate in spoken English to participate in discussions and collaborate with fellow fellows.
  • The application must be submitted in English.
  • Applicants must provide one recommendation letter from an adult who knows the applicant and their project well, such as a teacher, mentor, supervisor, adviser, or community leader.
  • The recommender cannot be a family member or friend.
  • Applicants under 18 must have an Adult Sponsor, and their parent or legal guardian must complete the required documents on their behalf.
  • Applicants are not required to have a registered nonprofit organisation.
  • Applicants do not need to have an existing project; new projects are also eligible.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Funding of up to USD 2,500 to implement the project.
  • Mentorship and support from the Bow Seat team.
  • Access to capacity-building and skills-development programmes.
  • Participation in workshops focused on mentorship, strategic planning, project management, communication, outreach, and fundraising skills.
  • Networking with young fellows from around the world through the fellowship community.
  • Support from the Future Blue Youth Council, a network of young people working on environmental issues.
  • Participation in monthly meetings with council and fellowship members, as well as ongoing communication through online channels.
  • Participation in capacity-building sessions and workshops, with the possibility of one-on-one sessions with advisers according to project needs.
  • Development of grant writing, project management, and fundraising skills.
  • An opportunity to increase the visibility of the project and connect with a global community of environmental advocates.
  • Applicants who are not selected for the fellowship may still gain access to resources that help them develop grant writing, project management, and fundraising skills.
  • Participation in the Bow Seat alumni community and access to future opportunities and networks after completing the programme.
  • The website does not state that travel tickets, accommodation, or a monthly salary will be provided as part of the fellowship benefits.