Deadline: 7 May 2019
Are you a civil society leader in South Asia or the MENA region? Are you working for a more gender equal world? If yes, then apply for the Swedish Institute (SI) Leader Lab program to grow as a leader, develop their advocacy skills and share knowledge in a network of inspirational peers.
SI Leader Lab is a programme for advocates of gender equality who wish to grow in their role while exploring new tools and forms for collaboration. SI Leader Lab 2019 will bring together 60 young influential civil society leaders in South Asia and the MENA region who are active advocates of gender equality. The overarching objective is to strengthen leaders who are working for peaceful and inclusive societies.
The programme is an opportunity for applicants to develop their advocacy skills and work on strategic outreach within their focus area. It’s also an opportunity to grow as a leader, exchange experiences, form new connections and to try out innovative tools and methods with peers working in a similar context. SI Leader Lab is a blended learning programme that runs over eight months, mixing online meetings with two separate assemblies in Sweden. Work in smaller learning groups based on region and thematic focus will be combined with sessions that include all participants. The training is founded on experience-based and collaborative learning and will allow applicants to explore real challenges and areas of development for their own organisation in an innovative and supportive environment.
The programme is as much about personal as professional development. It is about growing as a person with renewed confidence and insights, and growing as a leader with new tools, methods and perspectives.
The particular expertise and experience of the participants will largely determine the topics that we work on. The following broader issues, however, will be central: value-based leadership and group development; effective advocacy methods; and, how to work efficiently with and within networks. The training will be conducted with a rights-based approach.
SI Leader Lab will give applicants:
- Personal insights as a leader: how to lead themselves and others through increased self-awareness and increased understanding of group development.
- An opportunity to explore effective advocacy methods that will help to shape and reach out with a message to intended audiences.
- The possibility to share and build knowledge in a network of experts, to inspire each other and share experiences on common challenges.
- Insights on how to expand their networks – and how to use networks as support in their work.
Programme timeline
The programme, spread over eight months, mix online meetings with three weeks of intense training divided into two separate assemblies in Sweden:
- Kick-off online (September 2019)
- Module 1: Two weeks onsite in Stockholm, Sweden. 6–19 October 2019
- Module 2: Online sessions and implementation. November 2019 – February 2020.
- Module 3: Ten days in Sweden (location to be confirmed). 23 March – 2 April 2020.
Benefits
- Costs covered and arranged by Swedish Institute
- Training and content
- Accommodation, food and domestic transport during the programme
- Flight tickets to and from module 1 and 3 in Sweden
- Insurance covering acute illness and accident when in Sweden
- Visa costs
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants can apply to SI Leader Lab if they:
- Have a leading position (formal or informal) in a civil society organisation or network working for gender equality.
- Work in a collaborative setting, where they have a leadership role (formal or informal).
- Are between 22 and 32 years old (born 1987–1997).
- Have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
- Are a citizen of Algeria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia or Yemen.
- Are available to take part in all parts of the programme.
- Are prepared to forward competences and knowledge they gain from the programme to their team, organisation or other relevant actors.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply online via the given website.
Eligible Countries: Algeria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
For mroe information, please visit https://si.se/en/apply/leadership-programmes/leaderlab/