RFAs: Small Grants for Young Civil Society Leaders in Developing Countries

The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative (JWHI) provides small grants to help young environmental professionals in developing countries strengthen their leadership skills through education, training, internships, conferences, and professional development opportunities. The programme focuses on building the next generation of environmental leaders by investing in individual capacity rather than funding organisational projects.

What is the Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative?

The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative (JWHI) is an international grant programme that supports emerging environmental leaders by providing funding for professional development and leadership training.

Rather than funding environmental projects or organisations directly, the initiative invests in individuals who are committed to advancing environmental protection, sustainable development, climate justice, and community-based action. The goal is to strengthen environmental civil society organisations by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity of the people working within them.

The programme is designed to help young professionals expand their expertise, gain international experience, and become future leaders in the environmental sector.

Program Overview

Programme Name: Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative (JWHI)
Programme Type: Individual professional development grant
Eligible Applicants: Young environmental professionals in developing countries
Funding Purpose: Education, training, leadership development, and capacity building
Grant Amount: Determined according to individual development needs
Primary Focus: Environmental leadership and individual capacity building

Funding Amount

The initiative does not specify a fixed grant amount.

Funding is awarded based on the applicant’s individual learning objectives, professional development needs, and proposed activities.

Each application is assessed individually to determine the appropriate level of financial support.

Programme Objectives

The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative aims to:

Develop the next generation of environmental leaders.
Strengthen environmental civil society organisations.
Improve leadership and professional skills.
Promote sustainable development.
Support climate justice initiatives.
Advance gender equality in environmental leadership.
Encourage innovation within the environmental sector.
Build long-term capacity among young professionals.

The programme focuses on investing in people who can create lasting positive change within their communities and organisations.

Focus Areas

Applications should demonstrate relevance to one or more of the following areas:

Environmental leadership
Sustainable development
Environmental education
Professional training
Organisational capacity building
Climate justice
Gender equality
Youth leadership
Civil society development
Community-based environmental action

Applicants should explain how their proposed activities will contribute to these priorities.

What Activities Can the Grant Support?

The grant supports a wide range of individual learning and professional development opportunities.

Eligible activities include:

Professional training courses
Leadership development programmes
Skills development workshops
Internships
Exposure visits
Study visits
International exchange programmes
Professional travel
Conferences
High-level meetings
Networking events
Other educational or career development opportunities

The programme is intended to strengthen the applicant’s professional skills rather than finance organisational projects.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all programme eligibility requirements.

Professional Requirements

Applicants should:

Be young environmental professionals.
Work with or be affiliated with an environmental civil society organisation.
Work closely with local communities or community-based organisations.
Demonstrate leadership potential.
Show a strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Age Preference

Preference is given to applicants under 35 years of age.

However, the programme recognises that the definition of “young” may vary depending on local contexts.

Country Eligibility

Applicants must be based in:

Developing countries, or
Emerging economies

Countries classified as advanced economies under the IMF classification are not eligible.

Organisational Affiliation

Applicants must be actively engaged with or affiliated with:

Environmental civil society organisations
Community-based organisations
Local environmental initiatives

What Makes a Strong Application?

Competitive applications generally demonstrate:

Strong leadership potential.
Commitment to environmental protection.
Experience working with communities.
Clear professional development goals.
Well-defined learning objectives.
Innovative thinking.
Long-term commitment to sustainable development.
Clear explanation of how the proposed activity will strengthen future leadership.

Applicants should explain how the grant will improve both their professional capacity and their contribution to environmental civil society.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare a competitive application.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Ensure you meet the programme’s age, country, and organisational affiliation requirements.

Step 2: Identify Your Professional Development Need

Select a training opportunity or learning activity that will significantly strengthen your leadership and professional skills.

Step 3: Develop a Personal Learning Plan

Clearly explain:

Your career goals.
Why the activity is important.
Skills you expect to gain.
How the experience will strengthen your environmental work.

Step 4: Demonstrate Community Impact

Explain how your new knowledge and skills will benefit:

Your organisation.
Local communities.
Environmental initiatives.
Sustainable development efforts.

Step 5: Prepare Supporting Documents

Gather all documents required under the application guidelines.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Complete and submit your application before the official deadline following the programme’s instructions.

Why This Grant Matters

Strong environmental leadership is essential for addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.

The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative helps young professionals:

Build leadership skills.
Access international learning opportunities.
Expand professional networks.
Strengthen environmental organisations.
Improve community-based environmental action.
Promote climate justice.
Advance sustainable development goals.

By investing in individuals, the programme creates long-term benefits for organisations, communities, and the broader environmental movement.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Proposing organisational projects instead of individual development activities.
Providing unclear professional development goals.
Failing to demonstrate leadership potential.
Not explaining how the grant will strengthen environmental work.
Ignoring the programme’s focus on capacity building.
Submitting incomplete application materials.
Providing unrealistic learning plans.

A well-structured application with clear career objectives is more likely to be competitive.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To improve your chances of receiving funding:

Clearly define your professional development objectives.
Demonstrate long-term commitment to environmental leadership.
Explain how the proposed activity fills a skills gap.
Highlight your experience working with local communities.
Show how the grant will strengthen your organisation and community.
Present realistic learning outcomes.
Emphasise innovation, leadership, and sustainable impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative?

Young environmental professionals based in developing countries or emerging economies who are actively engaged with environmental civil society organisations or community-based organisations.

Is there an age limit?

Preference is given to applicants under 35 years of age, although flexibility may be applied depending on local circumstances.

How much funding is available?

The programme does not specify a fixed grant amount. Funding is determined according to the applicant’s individual professional development needs.

What activities can the grant support?

The grant may support training courses, leadership programmes, internships, conferences, exchange visits, study tours, professional travel, networking events, and participation in high-level meetings.

Does the programme fund environmental projects?

No. The initiative focuses on individual capacity building and professional development, not organisational or project implementation.

Which countries are eligible?

Applicants must be based in developing countries or emerging economies. Individuals from countries classified as advanced economies under the IMF classification are not eligible.

What makes a successful application?

Strong applications demonstrate leadership potential, commitment to environmental and sustainable development issues, clear professional learning objectives, and a well-defined plan for applying new knowledge to strengthen environmental organisations and communities.

Conclusion

The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative provides valuable support for young environmental professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership skills and contribute to sustainable development. By funding education, training, internships, professional exchanges, and other learning opportunities, the programme helps build the next generation of environmental leaders in developing countries. Individuals with strong leadership potential, a commitment to environmental action, and clear professional development goals are encouraged to apply for this unique capacity-building opportunity.