Deadline: 22-May-2026
The VV Engage Program is a leadership fellowship designed to enhance the capacity of women working in public leadership roles across government, politics, civil society, media, and civic institutions. It is supported by Freeport-McMoRan and implemented with global leadership partners.
The program focuses on strengthening women’s influence in public decision-making and promoting inclusive governance worldwide.
Programme Objectives
The fellowship aims to:
- Strengthen women’s leadership in public and political life
- Improve governance and policy-making capacity
- Enhance strategic communication and political strategy skills
- Promote bipartisan and cross-ideological collaboration
- Advance gender equality in leadership representation (SDG 5)
- Support community mobilization and civic engagement
- Build global networks of women leaders
- Encourage transparent and inclusive governance practices
Key Focus Areas
The program focuses on:
- Women’s political leadership development
- Public policy and governance systems
- Strategic communications and media engagement
- Community mobilization and civic participation
- Gender equality and representation in leadership
- Political strategy and decision-making
- Cross-party collaboration and dialogue
- Leadership in civic institutions and public movements
Fellowship Structure
The VV Engage Program includes:
- 10-month structured leadership fellowship
- Training in governance and public leadership
- Strategic communication development
- Political strategy and policy engagement sessions
- Community mobilization training
- Participation in the Vital Voices Leadership Journey
- Virtual leadership development curriculum
- Global networking opportunities with senior leaders
Training and Learning Components
Participants will receive:
- Leadership training from global governance experts
- Sessions with the Council of Women World Leaders
- Academic input from Harvard Kennedy School faculty
- Practical skills in public leadership and governance
- Strategic communication and advocacy training
- Tools for effective decision-making and policy influence
Networking Opportunities
Fellows gain access to:
- A global network of women political leaders
- Current and former heads of state
- International public policy experts
- Civil society and governance leaders
- Cross-regional leadership communities
- Peer-to-peer leadership exchange platforms
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old by June 2026
- Have at least 3 years of leadership or decision-making experience
- Work in public leadership roles such as:
- Elected or appointed government officials
- Political party leaders or activists
- Public policy professionals
- Civil society leaders
- Media professionals
- Community leaders
- Demonstrate commitment to gender equality and SDG 5
Required Leadership Values
Applicants must align with the Vital Voices Leadership Model, including:
- Collaboration across sectors and ideologies
- Innovation in governance and leadership
- Community engagement and public service
- Transparency and accountability
- Commitment to women’s empowerment
- Strong ethical governance practices
- Ability to work across political differences
Programme Priorities
The program prioritizes:
- Women in active public leadership roles
- Strengthening governance and political systems
- Expanding women’s representation in decision-making
- Building leadership capacity in civic and political spaces
- Promoting inclusive and equitable governance
- Advancing global gender equality goals
- Strengthening cross-border leadership networks
How the Programme Works
The process typically includes:
- Application submission by eligible women leaders
- Selection based on leadership experience and impact
- Participation in a 10-month fellowship cycle
- Completion of leadership training and coursework
- Engagement in global leadership networks
- Practical application of governance and policy skills
- Continued alumni engagement after completion
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without minimum leadership experience (3+ years)
- Lack of public leadership or governance background
- Weak commitment to gender equality principles
- Inconsistent political or civic engagement record
- Not demonstrating ability to work across ideological divides
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve selection chances:
- Clearly highlight leadership and policy experience
- Demonstrate measurable public impact
- Show commitment to gender equality and SDG 5
- Emphasize cross-sector collaboration experience
- Highlight governance, communication, or civic leadership roles
- Provide examples of community engagement and policy influence
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the VV Engage Program?
- It is a global fellowship for women public leaders.
- It focuses on governance, policy, and civic leadership.
- It strengthens leadership capacity and global networks.
- Who can apply?
- Women with 3+ years of leadership experience
- Public officials, activists, civil society and policy leaders
- Media and community leaders involved in public decision-making
- How long is the fellowship?
- 10 months
- Includes structured leadership training and global networking
- What skills are developed?
- Governance and public leadership
- Strategic communication and political strategy
- Community engagement and policy influence
- What organizations are involved?
- Vital Voices Global Partnership
- Council of Women World Leaders
- Harvard Kennedy School faculty
- What values are required?
- Collaboration, transparency, innovation, and gender equality
- Commitment to inclusive and ethical governance
Conclusion
The VV Engage Program Fellowship strengthens women’s leadership in public life by providing advanced training, global networks, and governance expertise. It empowers women leaders to enhance policy influence, promote gender equality, and contribute to more inclusive and effective democratic systems worldwide.
For more information, visit Vital Voices Global Partnership.