Apply for Women’s Political Leadership Programme

All parts of the training are based on equity, participation, transparency and accountability, and the goal is to strengthen democracy in the organizations taking part in the training, primarily by strengthening the politician herself, as well as capacitating women politicians in general to be good role models and to get a higher involvement of underrepresented groups in decision making bodies.

The training is implemented in cooperation with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).

Objectives

• The programme aims to provide the following changes in the participant:
  • Empower the participant with improved leadership skills
  • Help the participant to fully utilize the power and influence of her position
  • Strengthen her as a role model to encourage political participation among marginalized groups
  • Give her access to a network of women in similar positions

Benefits

• Valuable exchange of knowledge and experiences
• Extended regional and international networks
• Improved skills as a “change agent” in initiating and implementing instituational change
• Skills and abilities to communicate and advocate on issues of inclusive governance
• Three-day study-visit in a Swedish municipality or region
• Support to improve participation, equality, transparency and accountability in the local governance
• All training costs pertaining to lectures, literature, documentation, study tours and certain social activities as well as accommodation and food will also be covered by the organiser. All international travel costs related to the programme will be covered by the programme organiser. Costs for personal expenses are not included and are the responsibility of the participant or her organisation.
• Participants who successfully complete all scheduled parts will be awarded a Certificate of completion of training.

Programme Structure

• The training consists of three compulsory workshops, of which all three are full time scheduled trainings. Periods between workshops are homebased. The total duration of the programme is 12 months.
• When will cohort 11 take place:
  • The Inception workshop will be held in late January 2025
  • The Swedish Phase workshop will most likely take place in September 2025
  • The Final workshop will take place in January 2026

Eligibility Criteria

• Invited countries
  • All countries on the OECD-DAC listed ODA-eligible countries, are eligible for the programme, but if a local election is held during the year when the training takes place, the country is temporarily taken off the list.
• Target group
  • Only elected women politicians (currently in office) in a local/regional government will be considered. ICLD will prioritize applicants holding a position of Mayor or Deputy Mayor but will also exceptionally accept applicants who are Councilors. They at ICLD aim to create a group that includes both majority and opposition politicians, as well as a diversity of ages and experience. ICLD trainings are open to all that are eligible, irrespective of physical ability.
  • Candidates who have previously participated in an ICLD training programme financed by Sida cannot apply for this programme.
• Language requirements
  • The training programme will be organised and conducted in English. Proficiency in English shall be indicated in the Application form.
• Health requirements
  • Considering the training programme consists of international travels and work away from home in a new environment, good health and ability to work without health restrictions is required. You need to be enjoying full working capacity and to be able to engage in an active programme with long days of seminars, study visits and interactive networking. It is therefore recommended that candidates undergo a medical examination before filling in the Medical Statement in the Application form.
• Other requirements
  • The outline of the problem to be addressed by the change process will be of crucial importance in the selection of participants. Once selected, the participant is required to attend all scheduled parts of the 12-months programme and must have approval to participate in all aspects of the program from her local authority. She is required to actively participate in the workshops and complete assignments between workshops (journals, reports).
  • Due to the nature of the programme, family members are NOT allowed to accompany participants to the programme.

For more information, visit ICLD.