Two Scottish activists will get the chance to train at the prestigious Highlander Center as the first Fred Edwards Trust fellows.

The trust set up in the name of one of Scotland’s best known activists Fred Edwards is hunting for two people to be trained at a prestigious US institute that played a major role in the civil rights movement.

The Fred Edwards Trust fellowship will be sending two inspiring potential leaders to the famous Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee, where world-famous activists Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks attended.

Fellows will be people who can enthuse and inspire others and help to promote active citizenship, particularly among those affected by social, economic or environmental disadvantage.

The trust is looking for people who are driven to make a difference to their community. Through the fellowship, it aims to ensure they become even more effective leaders as a result of taking part in a week-long programme of activities at the Highlander Center.

Launching The Power of One fellowship, Sandy Cameron, chair of the Fred Edwards Trust said: "The trust has developed the idea of a fellowship as the best way of promoting its objectives through supporting the development of individuals who have the potential to make a real difference in their communities and in Scotland more widely.

“We hope to be able to expose the fellows to a unique learning opportunity through our partnership with Highlander."

The fellowship is also being supported by the Scottish Community Development Centre.

Any Scottish-based active citizen working on social, economic or environmental justice has until 12 May 2014 to apply to become a fellow.

They will receive financial and practical support throughout their fellowship from the Fred Edwards Trust and will be able to draw on the practical expertise of the Scottish Community Development Centre both before and after attending the Highlander Center.