A new national fellowship is connecting the link between environmental justice and democratic rights in the U.S. territories.
The Environment & Democracy Fellowship, launched this month, is supporting a diverse group of organizations and individuals from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
The two-year fellowship will engage in collaborative learning, policy advocacy, and public education efforts aimed at strengthening community power in the face of climate and political challenges. Fellows will participate in intensive training sessions that include media strategy, environmental policy, storytelling, and organizing.
The fellowship is hosted by Right to Democracy, a nonprofit organization that works to advance self-determination and democratic representation for the over 3.6 million residents living within the U.S. territories.
Adi Martínez-Román is the co-founder and co-director of the organization and shared the importance of bringing U.S. territories together.
"The fellowship is an opportunity for all of us to get together, build upon common ground, and make visible the work that is being done to be able to have some agency in the decision-making processes that affect us." Martínez-Roman said.
According to Right to Democracy, the goal is to spotlight how environmental injustice in the territories is deeply tied to long-standing political disempowerment. By elevating territorial voices, the fellowship hopes to reshape national narratives and push for environmental sustainability, local leadership, and democratic inclusion.
Candidate individuals and organizations are encouraged to apply by sending their resume and a letter of intention, with a deadline of May 30th.
