Fully Funded Online VVEngage Fellowship for Women Leaders

VVEngage offers a fully funded online vital voices fellowship program in 2023. It will support outstanding women political leaders who are policymakers and policy influencers advancing the SDGs across the globe. 

• This fully-funded fellowship aims to increase the capacity, decision-making power, and effectiveness of women leaders in public life, shifting culture around women’s public leadership and moving towards equality in public representation globally.
• VVEngage is an annual fellowship that provides technical skills, leadership development, and a powerful network of peers.
• Fellows will have access to online training from Vital Voices network leaders, mentoring by members from the Council of World Women Leaders, and professors from institutions such as Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

You must have:

• This fellowship is open to women.
• Minimum of three years in elected or appointed office, as the key decision-maker for a civil society organization, or in related political leadership work.
• Be proficient in English.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Vital Voices core principles of leadership: innovative, collaborative, and driven by a clear sense of mission; engaged in your community; committed to connecting across lines that divide; committed to advancing the status of women and girls; committed to transparency and good governance.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, and a high potential for future leadership development.
• Desire to engage with a global network of women in public life.
• At a minimum, a basic understanding of the policy-making process in your community.

Additional criteria based on the sector:

• Elected/appointed official or political party leader:
• The party must be established, registered, and committed to good governance and democratic principles.
• Both the applicant and the applicant’s party must not have had any convictions of corruption or abuse of power.
• Commitment to working with other sectors on common goals.
• Appointed official:
• Previous history of public engagement and expertise on the issue(s) under the mandate of your organization
• In a leadership position within your organization.
• Political Activist:
• Demonstrated a history of political activism and leadership advancing sustainable development goals.
• Commitment to working across sectors on common goals.
• Community leader:
• In a leadership position in a marginalized and excluded community that remains on the periphery of political activity in your country.
• In a leadership position in a society without a traditional government structure.
• Media professional:
• Covers stories related to politics, gender-based issues, or the SDGs.
• Civil society leader:
• The organization must be a civil society organization (an association independent of the public and for-profit sectors and designed to advance collective interests).
• Organization’s mission must be in line with the values of democracy, transparency, and good governance, if applicable.
• The organization’s primary function should involve working directly with the government, advancing legislative changes, advancing the SDGs, or working to get more women in politics/public life.
• The organization must have been registered for at least three years.
• The organization must be non-partisan
• Commitment - The 2023 VVEngage fellowship will run from April 2023 until December 2023 with virtual training throughout the year. Applicants must be able to commit to the following:
• Complete a baseline survey that goes into more detail about your professional experience, personal and organizational goals, work-related skills, mentorship experience, and community engagement
• Participate in online training and webinars, and complete virtual assignments for an average of eight hours per month throughout the fellowship.
• Participate in one in-person gathering if health and travel restrictions allow.
• Complete surveys every six months for up to two years after participating in the VVEngage Fellowship.

Accepted fellows must commit to full participation in the entire program and are expected to be prepared and engaged with staff, trainers, and fellows before, during, and after the program.

About VVEngage:

Vital Voices Global Partnership has directly invested in more than 20,000 changemakers across 184 countries and territories since its inception in 1997. Driven by the universal truth that women are the key to progress in their communities and nations cannot move forward without women in leadership positions, Vital Voices has provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, Prime Ministers, award-winning innovators, pioneering human rights defenders, and breakthrough social entrepreneurs, including Amanda Gorman, Malala Yousafzai, and more. 

See more scholarships available on For9a

See more available volunteer opportunities on For9a

See more available opportunities for travel abroad on For9a