I AM NALA Fellowship 2027

Applications are open for the I AM NALA Fellowship 2027, a leadership and political empowerment programme by Nalafem for young African women who are refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless or otherwise affected by displacement. The fellowship will run from January 2027 to July 2027 and is designed for women who are actively contributing to peace, justice, political leadership and social change.

The I AM NALA Fellowship is particularly focused on supporting women who can play meaningful roles in negotiations, decision making, democratic transitions, reconciliation and peacebuilding in their countries of origin or host countries. Through capacity building, technical support, mentorship, solidarity and access to networks, the programme seeks to strengthen the ability of young women leaders to influence decisions affecting their communities and countries.

Nalafem is a Pan African platform of women politicians and activists working toward the liberation and advancement of African women and girls. The organisation launched the I AM NALA Fellowship in 2023 as part of its wider work to strengthen women's political leadership and feminist movements across Africa.

About the Fellowship

The I AM NALA Fellowship is a Women, Peace and Security focused leadership programme for young African women who are already contributing to political, peacebuilding or community processes or who are positioned to take on greater leadership responsibilities.

The programme recognises the importance of including women affected by conflict, displacement and political instability in decision making processes. Fellows will be supported to strengthen their leadership capacities, develop practical skills and build solidarity with other women leaders across Africa.

The fellowship will include bi monthly online sessions featuring training, masterclasses and dialogues with mentors who bring experience from different institutions and organisations. These sessions are intended to provide practical knowledge while creating space for fellows to learn directly from established leaders.

The programme is also connected to Nalafem's broader leadership ecosystem. The organisation's previous fellowship cohorts have supported young women leaders working on peace, security, gender equality and political change.

Fellowship Benefits

• Capacity and technical support for leadership development.

• Mentorship from experienced experts and senior leaders.

• Participation in online trainings and masterclasses.

• Opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogues with established women leaders.

• Solidarity and peer learning with other young African women leaders.

• Access to networks connected to women's political leadership, peacebuilding and social justice.

• Opportunities to strengthen skills relevant to negotiations, decision making and peacebuilding.

• Greater exposure to African feminist political leadership and Women, Peace and Security issues.

• Potential opportunities for in person engagement during the fellowship.

Fellowship Areas

The I AM NALA Fellowship focuses on areas connected to women's leadership, peace and political participation.

• Women, Peace and Security.

• Political leadership and participation.

• Peacebuilding and reconciliation.

• Conflict prevention and cross conflict negotiations.

• Democratic transitions and decision making.

• Feminist leadership and solidarity.

• Social justice and gender equality.

• Alliance building and collective action.

• Advocacy and movement building.

• Leadership of campaigns and women's groups.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the requirements outlined for the 2027 fellowship.

• Be a young African woman aged between 18 and 40 years.

• Be a refugee, internally displaced person, stateless person or displaced woman leader.

• Be actively involved in leadership, advocacy, peacebuilding, political work or related community efforts.

• Be a leader of a campaign or women's group.

• Be a member of an existing consortium or collective with a focus on alliance building.

• Be engaged in cross conflict negotiations or related peacebuilding processes.

• Be a young woman politician currently serving in political office.

• Demonstrate an interest or commitment to political leadership, peace, justice, women's rights or social change.

• Align with Nalafem values including solidarity, social justice, dignity, equity and decolonial feminist Pan Africanism.

Selection Criteria

The fellowship is particularly suited to applicants who can demonstrate meaningful leadership and a clear commitment to advancing women, peace, justice and political change.

Applicants are expected to show:

• Existing or emerging leadership in their community, organisation, political environment or movement.

• Commitment to peacebuilding, political participation or social justice.

• Experience leading or contributing to campaigns, women's groups, collectives or advocacy initiatives.

• Interest in strengthening women's participation in decision making.

• Ability to work collaboratively and build alliances.

• Alignment with Nalafem's values of solidarity, dignity, equity, social justice and decolonial feminist Pan Africanism.

• A clear commitment to using the fellowship experience to contribute to positive change.

How to Apply

1. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that you fit the fellowship's target applicant profile.
2. Consider your leadership experience, particularly your work in politics, peacebuilding, advocacy, organising, women's rights or community development.
3. Prepare the information requested through the official fellowship application.
4. Clearly demonstrate how your experience and leadership align with Women, Peace and Security and Nalafem's values.
5. Explain how participating in the fellowship could strengthen your ability to influence peace, justice, political participation or decision making.