Deadline: 22-Mar-23

Are you an exceptional young African female leader who is ready to be a game-changer? The 2023 MiLEAD Fellows Program is the perfect opportunity for you.

The MILEAD Fellows Program is a one-year leadership development program designed to identify, develop and promote emerging young African Women leaders to attain and succeed in leadership in across Africa. The program targets dynamic young women interested in developing transformational leadership skills that help them tackle issues affecting women and girls in their communities. Applications are welcome from young women living in Africa and the Diaspora.

Objectives

• Identify, prepare and connect up a network of Africa’s most promising emerging women leaders from across the continent by 2025 through a yearlong paradigm-shifting leadership development as a new cadre of women leaders who are equipped and positioned to lead and influence decision-making on critical issues on the continent. To empower them with the skills, knowledge, values and networks they need to succeed.
• Provide an eco-system to facilitate on-going access of young African women leaders to resources, opportunities to attain and thrive in leadership.
• Increase visibility for young African women’s leadership and achievements through highlighting/promoting the leadership and accomplishments of Fellows and mentors- while using their success stories to motivate others.
• Establish a multi-generational mentoring, linkages and dialogues to nurture on-going solidarity, growth and collective action between the new Fellows, the 242 current Fellows and other generations of women leaders in Africa.
• Nurture active citizenship and interest of the young leaders in service, experiential leadership and problem solving- as Fellows engage and address critical issues of importance to them and their communities through their community change (MiCHANGE) projects.
• Conceptualize and implement at least 25 community change projects by Fellows each year that address critical issues of importance to women and their communities- to directly Conceptualize and implement at least 25 community change projects by Fellows each year that address critical issues of importance to women and their communities- to directly

Key Topics

Through lectures, plenaries, skills training workshops, role-plays, practical projects, field trips, interactive exercises and open discussions, the program will address key topics such as:

• Pan-African Leadership
• Women’s Human Rights
• Feminist Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Social Activism
• Systems Thinking
• Networking & Collaboration
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Women’s Health & Safety
• Economic Justice
• Political and Civic Participation
• Environmental Justice
• Holistic Personal Development
• Social Justice
• Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights
• Inclusion, Diversity & Ubuntu
• Fundraising
• Advocacy/ Public Speaking

Program Benefits

• Program benefits for selected candidates include:
  • Fellows will gain excellent skills in leadership, activism, research, mentoring, public speaking and advocacy among others.
  • National to global recognition as one of Africa’s most promising women leaders.
  • Access to opportunities and resources for education, professional, leadership and personal development. Fellows are supported to enter into top Universities for further education.
  • Knowledge of critical cutting-edge issues such as human rights concepts, women’s human rights, leadership concepts, gender equity and social justice.
  • Upon successful completion of the program, fellows become automatic members of the Moremi Fellow’s Network.
  • Long term Support:
    • Fellows’ achievements and initiatives are promoted through the partner networks and the media for visibility and exposure.
    • Fellows will have access to readily available Moremi Initiative mentors including some of the most outstanding African women leaders.

Selection Criteria

• Selected Fellows are chosen based on a number of clearly defined criteria that include:
  • Outstanding leadership qualities and promise.
  • Demonstrated interest and commitment to social justice and women’s rights.
  • Proven track record involvement and accomplishments in community service.
  • Demonstrated high academic potential.
  • A commitment to mentor younger girls and to implement a community project (MiCHANGE) that addresses a critical issue of importance facing their peers, women or their communities.
  • Outstanding personal qualities, including openness to interpersonal/ multicultural experiences.
• Note: No Applicant will be denied admittance into the MILEAD program based on, class, religion, financial need, or sexual orientation. The MILEAD program places importance on recruiting applicants from communities that are under-represented in public leadership.

Conditions

• The three-week MILEAD Summer Institute: All selected fellows must commit their availability on full time basis for the 3-week residential summer institute from July 10 to August 2, 2023; and to participate in the rest of the program from their home country or country of residence.
  • Scholarships & Fees: Only a limited number of selected candidates will receive full scholarship. The fee for the 2023 MILEAD Institute is $4,500 and covers travels, accommodation, tuition, all meals, site visits, local events, training materials and all program related costs. Moremi Initiative will ensure the participation of all selected candidates regardless of their financial situation. No qualified candidate will be denied participation due to financial need. However, due to the increasing demand for the programs, and for sustainability purposes, they are encouraging participants to approach local donors for partial sponsorship to meet their costs. A limited number of full scholarships are available.
  • The appointment as a participant in the MILEAD program carries no stipend.

For more information, visit Moremi Initiative.