Overview
The VV Engage (Public Leadership) Pillar equips women leaders in politics, policy, and governance with the skills, networks, and strategies needed to strengthen their leadership, advance equity, and drive systemic change. This pillar supports women at all levels of public leadership, from grassroots activism to government roles, in shaping policies that foster more inclusive and equitable societies.
Fellows will participate in expert-led training on strategic communications, political strategy, and governance while connecting with a global network of political leaders, including current and former heads of state, through the Council of Women World Leaders.
What Fellows Will Gain:
- Develop leadership skills to strengthen decision-making, governance, and effectiveness in public leadership roles.
- Strengthen strategic communication skills to craft compelling narratives that influence policy, mobilize communities, and advocate for SDG-aligned solutions.
- Gain expertise in political strategy to navigate legislative processes, drive policy initiatives, engage key stakeholders for systemic change, and advance equity in governance.
Applications for the 2025 Vital Voices Global Fellowship are due April 21st, 2025. Please use this link to complete your application.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be one of the following:
- Elected or appointed official, political party leader, or functionary.
- Political activist advancing policy change and advocacy.
- Community leader working on policy-related issues or leading in politically excluded communities.
- Media professional covering politics, gender issues, or SDG-related policy work.
- Civil society leaders running a policy-focused nonprofit or advancing legislation/governance reforms.
- At least three years of experience in elected office, appointed leadership, policymaking, political activism, or civil society leadership.
- Demonstrated commitment to good governance, transparency, and democratic principles.
- Have an understanding of policy-making processes within their community or sector.
- Additional criteria based on sector:
- Elected/appointed official or political party leader:
- If the applicant is a member of a political party, 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 her organization
- In a leadership position within her organization
- Political Activist
- Demonstrated history of political activism and leadership advancing the sustainable development goals
- Commitment to working across sectors on common goals
- Community leader:
- In a leadership position in an excluded community that remains on the periphery of political activity in their countries OR
- In a leadership position in a society without a traditional government structure
- Media professional
- Covers stories related to politics, issues impacted women and girls or the SDGs
- Civil society leader:
- Organization must be a civil society organization – ‘associations independent of the public and for-profit sectors and designed to advance collaboration interests’*
- Organization’s mission must be in line with the values of democracy, transparency, and good governance, if applicable
- 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
- Organization must have been registered for at least three years
- Organization must be non-partisan
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.
*UNICEF, “Civil Society Partnerships”
Program Expectations
Fellows commit to the following:
- Attend all virtual trainings from June 2025 to March 2026 and complete all required program components.
- Virtual sessions are typically 60-90 minutes each, held between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM US EST, with 2-3 virtual sessions per month.
- Engage in additional community gathering, peer exchanges, and program staff check-ins as required.
- Dedicate an average of 4-6 hours per month to program participation.
- Attend the in-person convening in the third quarter of 2025 (exact location and dates TBC).
- Complete mid and post-program impact surveys up to three years after the fellowship.