Call for Applications: AWLN 8th Intergenerational Retreat Program

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) 8th Intergenerational Retreat offers a fully sponsored leadership development opportunity for 40 young African women leaders in Libreville, Gabon. The programme supports women aged 18–45 through mentorship, networking, leadership training, and intergenerational dialogue aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals.

Overview of the AWLN Intergenerational Retreat

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Intergenerational Retreat is a flagship leadership programme jointly supported by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN). It connects emerging women leaders with experienced leaders from Africa and the Diaspora to strengthen women’s participation in leadership, governance, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

The 8th Intergenerational Retreat will select 40 young African women leaders for a fully sponsored leadership experience in Libreville, Gabon, in December.

The programme focuses on building a strong network of women leaders who can contribute to Africa’s transformation through collaboration, mentorship, and collective action.

Objectives of the AWLN Leadership Retreat

The retreat aims to:

Strengthen leadership skills among African women
Promote intergenerational knowledge exchange
Connect emerging leaders with experienced mentors
Increase women’s participation in decision-making processes
Support initiatives contributing to gender equality and sustainable development
Build long-term networks among women leaders across Africa and the Diaspora

The programme aligns with:

African Union Agenda 2063
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030

Key Focus Areas

The AWLN Retreat supports leadership development across several thematic areas.

Peace and Security

The programme supports women’s contributions to:

Conflict prevention
Peacebuilding initiatives
Community stability
Women’s participation in peace and security processes

Governance and Political Participation (GPP)

Participants explore:

Women’s leadership in governance
Political participation
Decision-making processes
Inclusive leadership approaches

Financial Inclusion and Economic Development

The retreat promotes:

Women’s economic empowerment
Entrepreneurship
Financial inclusion
Sustainable economic opportunities

Natural Resources and Mining

The programme highlights:

Women’s role in natural resource management
Sustainable development
Responsible resource governance

Agriculture, Rural Economy and Land

Participants engage with issues related to:

Agricultural development
Rural livelihoods
Land rights
Women’s participation in rural economies

Social Mobilisation and Youth Leadership

The retreat encourages:

Community engagement
Youth leadership
Collective action
Social transformation initiatives

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is open to young African women leaders who meet the following requirements:

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be African women leaders from the continent or Diaspora
Be between 18 and 45 years old
Demonstrate measurable or recognized impact in their communities
Show leadership experience or innovation
Be actively contributing to one of AWLN’s leadership pillars

Eligible applicants may include:

Community leaders
Entrepreneurs
Social innovators
Policy advocates
Civil society leaders
Professionals working on development issues
Youth leaders

Fully Sponsored Participation Benefits

A total of 40 participants will be selected for the retreat.

The sponsorship covers:

Programme registration
International or regional travel support
Accommodation during the retreat

This allows selected participants to participate fully without major financial barriers.

Benefits for Selected Participants

Participants will receive access to:

Leadership Development

Participants will strengthen:

Leadership abilities
Communication skills
Strategic thinking
Personal development skills

Mentorship Opportunities

Selected women leaders will receive mentorship from distinguished leaders, including:

Heads of State
Vice-Presidents
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
Senior policymakers and experts

Networking and Collaboration

Participants will join a network of:

Emerging African women leaders
Experienced women leaders
Development professionals
Policy influencers

AWLN Leadership Recognition

Participants will receive:

AWLN Leadership Award recognition
Strategic support through AWLN partner networks

Expected Commitment from Participants

Selected participants are expected to actively engage throughout and after the retreat.

Responsibilities include:

Participating in all retreat sessions and activities
Sharing knowledge and experiences with other participants
Building cross-sector and cross-generational relationships
Promoting AWLN’s mission within communities and professional networks
Applying leadership lessons to advance women’s empowerment initiatives
Remaining connected with the AWLN network after the programme

How the Selection Process Works

Applicants are selected based on:

Leadership Experience
- Demonstrated contribution to community or professional initiatives
Impact and Achievements
- Evidence of measurable results or recognized influence
Commitment to Women’s Leadership
- Strong interest in advancing gender equality
Potential for Future Contribution
- Ability to inspire others and support collective action
Alignment with AWLN Pillars
- Experience connected to priority leadership areas

Why the AWLN Retreat Matters

Women continue to face barriers in leadership, governance, economic participation, and decision-making spaces. The AWLN Intergenerational Retreat creates a platform where women leaders can exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and develop solutions for Africa’s future.

The programme strengthens:

Women’s leadership networks
Gender equality efforts
Community-based innovation
Cross-generational collaboration
Sustainable development initiatives

Tips for Strong Applications

Applicants should:

Clearly explain their leadership journey
Highlight measurable community impact
Describe innovative projects or initiatives
Connect their work with AWLN focus areas
Demonstrate commitment to supporting other women leaders
Explain how they will apply retreat learning after participation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the AWLN Intergenerational Retreat?

The AWLN Intergenerational Retreat is a leadership development programme connecting emerging African women leaders with experienced leaders through mentorship, dialogue, and networking.

2. How many participants will be selected?

The programme will select 40 young African women leaders to participate in the fully sponsored retreat.

3. Who can apply for the AWLN Retreat?

African women leaders aged 18–45 from Africa and the Diaspora who demonstrate leadership impact and contribute to AWLN focus areas can apply.

4. Is participation fully funded?

Yes. Selected participants receive sponsorship covering registration, travel, and accommodation.

5. Where will the retreat take place?

The 8th AWLN Intergenerational Retreat will take place in Libreville, Gabon.

6. What leadership areas does the programme support?

The programme focuses on peace and security, governance, financial inclusion, economic development, natural resources, agriculture, social mobilisation, and youth leadership.

7. What happens after completing the retreat?

Participants are expected to remain engaged with AWLN through mentorship, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continued leadership initiatives.

Conclusion

The African Women Leaders Network 8th Intergenerational Retreat provides a unique platform for young African women leaders to strengthen their leadership capacity, connect with influential mentors, and contribute to Africa’s sustainable development goals. Through sponsorship, mentorship, and global networking, the programme supports a new generation of women leaders committed to creating lasting social and economic change.