The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s (HBS) Washington DC Office is excited to announce the third iteration of its Feminist Foreign and Development Policy Fellowship.

Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, a global anti-rights movement challenges the progress made on gender equality, with rising authoritarianism threatening reproductive and LGBTQ rights. As the international community reflects on these past achievements, new strategies are needed to support feminist alliances in addressing these challenges.

The fellowship aims to support feminist experts from the Global South in joining key discussions at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City (March 10-21, 2025). The program provides access, networking, and a platform for young voices to engage with decision-makers while focusing on advancing feminist foreign policy. Participants will receive travel, accommodation, and event passes to attend CSW and supplementary meetings.

The fellowship’s key objectives are:

• To provide learning and networking opportunities for emerging feminist leaders in development and foreign policy, empowering them to pursue their advocacy goals and engage with a global network of changemakers.
• To foster intergenerational and cross-regional dialogue on feminist development and foreign policy.
• To enable emerging leaders to identify key issues for further advocacy and facilitate exchanges between relevant actors.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: December 2, 2024
• CSW in New York Date: March 10-21, 2025
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Organizer: Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, D.C.
• Eligible Countries: Latin America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Caucasus Region, Eastern Europe
• Eligible Gender: Female/Male
• Target Group: Emerging feminist leaders, policy-makers, activists
• Focus Area: Feminist foreign policy, gender equality, human rights, reproductive rights, decolonial struggles
• Duration: 5 days at the CSW (March 2025)
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: United States (New York City)

Benefits and Financial Aids

What does the program offer?

• Travel Costs: International flights, local transportation in NYC, and up to 6 nights of accommodation in New York City covered.
• Visa Processing: Support for visa application and fees, if needed.
• Health/Travel Insurance: Provided during the fellowship period.
• Meals: Selected meals will be covered.
• Visibility and Platform: Fellows will be promoted on the Foundation’s social media to amplify their messages and aims related to the CSW.
• Skills and Networking: Access to a global network, preparatory sessions, workshops, and bi- or multilateral meetings ahead of the CSW.

Eligibility Criteria

What are the eligibility criteria?

• Applicants must have professional competency in English.
• Must be active in feminist development and foreign policy, focusing on human rights, reproductive rights, or decolonial struggles.
• Primarily for young feminists between 21 and 35 years old, experienced candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Experience as a leader/activist in civil society, policy-making, academia, or the private sector.
• Candidates from Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus Region, and Eastern Europe are prioritized.

What Does the Program Expect?

• Travel and Participation: Fellows must be available to travel to New York and participate in the CSW between March 10 and 21, 2025.
• Engagement: Provide thematic inputs, participate in workshops and meetings, and share insights publicly during and after the CSW.
• Social Media Activity: Active social media engagement to share experiences and lessons with a broader audience
• Network Building: Commitment to joining a growing network of feminist leaders to advance gender equality globally.

Required Documents

Please prepare and submit these documents:

• Resume: Standard US format (max two pages), including age.
• Challenge/Motivational Statement: A short reflection (max 300 words) outlining the biggest challenge in the gender equality movement and how participation at the CSW will help address it.

How to Apply?

• Apply by the deadline of December 2, 2024.
• Complete all fields and attach your resume and challenge/motivational statement.
• Incomplete applications will not be acceptable.

Apply Now

Further details and information are available on the official Heinrich Böll Foundation website.

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