Vital Voices is excited to announce the launch of VVEngage, a signature fellowship to support women leaders working within civil society, the public sector and public-policy making institutions, who are dedicated to making positive change in their countries. Through this fellowship, we aim 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. With the support of Freeport McMoRan, the fellowship will provide year-long technical training and access to a global network of change-makers in the public sector across the globe.
From national parliaments to local councils, women are underrepresented in policy-making. Their global share in government representation stands at just 19 percent. Without a seat at the table, women don’t have a say in crafting legislation, negotiating peace talks or shaping agendas for future reform. Women who are able to become part of that 19 percent often lack access to opportunities, leadership positions and networks of women counterparts.
Through this fellowship, Vital Voices will support women’s public leadership by enhancing advocacy, leadership, and governance skills with online and in-person trainings by world-renowned experts, such as professors from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. The fellowship will also connect participants to a global network of peers and mentors with whom they can brainstorm and share challenges and best practices.
Developed in partnership with women leaders around the world, and building on 20 years of leadership development work conducted by Vital Voices, the customized fellowship curriculum includes 12 months of inspiring and rigorous in-person and online courses. The below modules are designed to help women address the many challenges to political participation that they face, including social norms around leadership and male-dominated institutions.
Recognizing that all fellows have different needs, training content will be customized based on a thorough needs assessment process, and trainers will be identified to fulfill these unique interests and needs.
By the end of the fellowship, fellows will:
Application Criteria
The first cohort of VVEngage fellows will consist of twenty women leaders from across the globe who will be selected based on the following criteria.
All applicants must fit the following criteria:
Additional criteria based on sector:
Commitment
This fellowship is a 12-month commitment, starting in July 2018 and ending in June 2019, including two in-person gatherings and virtual training throughout the year. Applicants must be able to commit to the following:
*Specific dates will be chosen based on availability of selected participants.
All fellow travel, meals and accommodation costs for the in-person gatherings will be covered in full by VVEngage.
Please note that 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.
Please note that applications are due by Monday, May 14, 2018 at 4:59 PM EST. All finalists who are selected for participation in the program will be notified by email by June 8, 2018.
For more information, please contact:
Annie Osborne, Senior Program Coordinator, Political & Civic Engagement at annieosborne@vitalvoices.org or +1 202 380 9491.
[1] UNICEF, “Civil Society Organisations,” http://unicef.in/OurPartners/Partner/3