2023 Vital Voices’ VVEngage Fellowship for Women in Public Leadership (Fully Funded)

VVEngage is a Vital Voices signature fellowship supporting outstanding women political leaders making and influencing policy across the globe. Through this fully-funded fellowship, we aim to increase the capacity, decision-making power and effectiveness of women leaders in politics and government, shifting culture around women’s public leadership and moving towards equality in public representation globally. We also aim to work towards a more inclusive and equitable world by advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through policy.

Through this fellowship, Vital Voices advances women’s political leadership and the SDGs by conducting online and in-person* trainings with experts such as women leaders from the Vital Voices Global Network and professors from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. The fellowship also connects participants to a global network of peers and mentors, such as current and former female heads of state with the Council of Women World Leaders, with whom they can brainstorm and share challenges and best practices.

Building on 25 years of leadership development work conducted by Vital Voices, the customized fellowship curriculum includes inspiring and rigorous courses in topics such as Leadership, Strategic Communications, Political Strategy and Governance. Fellows will acquire specific skills to achieve their goals and advance the SDGs in their communities.

This fellowship occurs annually, with our 2023 programming running from April to December of this year. Selected fellows are expected to participate in the full length of the fellowship including virtual trainings and events throughout the year. If health and travel restrictions allow, we will hold one in-person convening. The time commitment is an estimated eight hours per month.

Application Criteria

The 2023 cohort of VVEngage will consist of women leaders from across the globe who will be selected based on the following criteria.*

All applicants must fall into one of these categories:

Appointed or elected government official at the local, state/regional, national, or international level
Political party leader or functionary
Leader of civil society organization whose primary function involves working directly with government or working to get more women in politics/public life
Political Activist
Politically-active community leader from marginalized and excluded community that remains on the periphery of political activity in her country
Media professional

In addition, all applicants must fit all of the following criteria:

A 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
Proficient in English
Demonstrate a commitment to the core principles of the “Vital Voices Leadership Model” – Innovative, collaborative, and driven by a clear sense of mission; engaged in her community; committed to working with different political ideologies; committed to advancing the status of women and girls; committed to transparency and good governance
Demonstrated leadership ability, high potential for future leadership development
Desire to engage with a global network of women in public life
At minimum, a basic understanding of the policy-making process in your community

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