Rise Up Together Launches Leadership and Advocacy Program in Kenya

Deadline: 19-Jul-2026

Applications are now open for the Rise Up Together Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator, a leadership development program designed to support local civil society leaders working to advance gender equity in education and create lasting social change in Kenya.

The program will bring together 25 leaders for intensive training focused on leadership, advocacy, systems change, and policy engagement. Participants will gain practical skills, mentorship, and access to future funding opportunities to strengthen educational opportunities for girls and advance justice for women, girls, and gender-nonconforming people.

About the Program

• The program supports local civil society leaders committed to advancing gender equity.
• It focuses on strengthening education opportunities for girls.
• Participants will develop leadership and advocacy skills.
• The initiative promotes systems change and policy engagement.
• Leaders will learn strategies to influence laws, policies, programs, and funding decisions.
• The program aims to equip participants with tools to create transformational change in their communities and organizations.
• Selected participants will join a network of changemakers working to advance gender justice.

Program Objectives

• Strengthen leadership capacity among local civil society leaders.
• Advance gender equity in education.
• Improve educational opportunities for girls.
• Support advocacy for women, girls, and gender-nonconforming people.
• Build systems change strategies that address structural inequalities.
• Strengthen policy engagement and community mobilization efforts.
• Develop sustainable solutions that improve social and educational outcomes.

Training Topics

Participants will receive training in:

• Leadership development.
• Team building.
• Resilience and self-leadership.
• Goal setting and strategic planning.
• Advocacy and movement building.
• Strategic messaging and communications.
• Political mapping and stakeholder engagement.
• Policy change strategies.
• Proposal development.
• Budget planning and resource mobilization.

Program Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

• Intensive leadership and advocacy training.
• Access to experienced coaches and mentors.
• Opportunities to apply for competitive seed funding.
• Support to implement gender equity in education strategies.
• Access to speaking engagements and conferences.
• Future grant opportunities.
• Networking and movement-building support.
• Membership in a community of social change leaders.

Seed Funding Opportunity

Following completion of the accelerator:

• Participants may apply for competitive seed funding.
• Funding will support implementation of gender equity in education initiatives.
• Proposed projects should align with advocacy and systems change goals.
• Funding is intended to help participants translate training into measurable community impact.

Program Dates

• Training dates: November 2–7, 2026.
• Location: Kenya.
• Duration: Six-day intensive leadership and advocacy accelerator.

Fully Funded Support

All program-related costs for selected participants will be covered, including:

• Transportation.
• Accommodation.
• Meals.
• Training materials.
• Participation costs associated with the accelerator.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old by November 2026.
• Be a visionary leader committed to social change.
• Be actively involved in civil society, community leadership, advocacy, or related work.
• Be based in one or more of the eligible counties in Kenya.

Eligible counties include:

• Kajiado County.
• Narok County.
• Machakos County.
• Makueni County.
• Kiambu County.
• Nairobi County.

Who Will Benefit?

The program is designed for:

• Civil society leaders.
• Community-based organization leaders.
• Gender equality advocates.
• Education advocates.
• Women’s rights leaders.
• Youth leaders working on social justice issues.
• Leaders advancing opportunities for girls and marginalized communities.

Why This Program Matters

• Gender inequality continues to limit educational opportunities for many girls.
• Strong local leadership is essential for sustainable community change.
• Advocacy can influence policies, funding, and public systems that affect education outcomes.
• Leadership development strengthens the capacity of organizations and movements.
• Systems change approaches help address the root causes of inequality.
• Building local leadership creates long-term impact beyond individual projects.

Application Tips

• Clearly demonstrate your leadership experience and community impact.
• Highlight your commitment to gender equity and education.
• Explain how the training will strengthen your advocacy efforts.
• Share examples of initiatives you have led or supported.
• Demonstrate a vision for creating change within your community.
• Emphasize your ability to collaborate with stakeholders and community members.
• Show commitment to implementing lessons learned from the accelerator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Rise Up Together Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator?

• It is a leadership and advocacy training program designed to strengthen the capacity of local civil society leaders working to advance gender equity and educational opportunities for girls in Kenya.

How many participants will be selected?

• The program will bring together 25 local civil society leaders.

When will the training take place?

• The accelerator will be held from November 2–7, 2026.

Is the program fully funded?

• Yes. Transportation, accommodation, meals, and training materials will be fully covered for selected participants.

Can participants access funding after the training?

• Yes. Participants may apply for competitive seed funding to implement their gender equity in education strategies.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and based in Kajiado, Narok, Machakos, Makueni, Kiambu, or Nairobi Counties in Kenya.

What skills will participants learn?

• Participants will receive training in leadership, advocacy, strategic planning, resilience, policy change, communications, proposal development, budgeting, and movement building.

Conclusion

The Rise Up Together Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator provides a valuable opportunity for civil society leaders in Kenya to strengthen their leadership, advocacy, and systems change skills. Through intensive training, ongoing support, networking opportunities, and access to potential seed funding, the program aims to equip leaders with the tools needed to advance gender equity in education and create lasting impact in their communities.

For more information, visit Rise Up Together.