Application Deadline: March 22, 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2024 MILEAD [Moremi Initiative Leadership Empowerment and Development] Fellows Program.

The MILEAD Fellows Program is a bold and paradigm-shifting initiative committed to the long-term leadership development of promising young leaders selected as Fellows. Fellows benefit from a combination of training, experiential learning, and mentoring crafted to build knowledge and skills, strengthen networks, and facilitate a supportive ecosystem of women’s leadership on critical issues. In addition, the program links determined young women with influential and seasoned African leaders who are committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation. Most importantly, Fellows benefit from lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network.

One of the distinguishing features of our program is the deliberate integration of community service into the yearlong training. Each Fellow will initiate and lead a community change (MiCHANGE) project on a critical issue of importance to their community or African women as a whole.

The MILEAD Program offers fellows world-class knowledge, skills, values, and support systems crucial for success as 21st-century women leaders. The program will be granted to 25 outstanding young women who have demonstrated leadership potential in their community, organization, or profession.

MILEAD is seeking dynamic young women aged 19-25 interested in honing transformational leadership skills to tackle issues facing women and girls in African communities. The program features a three-week residential Summer Institute in Ghana and a community change project. Selected candidates may be full-time students or professionals during the program, except during the 3-week summer institute.

Programme Details:

• Each class of MILEAD Fellows consists of twenty-five exceptional young women from 25 countries who participate in yearlong transformational leadership training and community leadership projects with support and mentoring.
• The one-year curriculum involves approximately 22 days of face-to-face and ongoing online training plus the time allocated to mentoring and community service projects.
• The MILEAD program includes a three-week summer institute, ongoing online seminars, informal networking, mentoring, community leadership projects and exchange programs with other professionals.
• The three-week summer institute is a residential training session comprised of lectures, discussions and workshops, visits to institutions, meetings with key leaders, case studies of successful leaders, assigned readings, research, presentations, and internships.

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 our 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.

Fellows are supported to implement personal community leadership projects on issues of importance to their peers, school, community or country.

Scholarships

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, 2024; 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 2024 MILEAD Institute is $4,500 and covers travels, accommodation, tuition, all meals, site visits, local events, training materials and program related costs. Moremi Initiative will ensure the participation of all selected candidates regardless of their financial situation. As much as possible, no qualified candidate will be denied participation due to financial need. However, due to the increasing demand for the programs, and for sustainability purposes, we are encouraging participants to approach local donors for partial sponsorship to meet their costs.  Only a limited number of full scholarships are available.

Application Procedure:

• Complete application forms, along with a CV and two recommendation letters, must be submitted via email.

Timeline:

• February 1, 2024: Applications Open
• March 22, 2024: Application deadline.
• March- April: Applications review and shortlisting.
• May: Interviews with shortlisted candidates.
• May 30, 2024: OfficialAnnouncement of 2024 MILEAD Fellows.
• July 12- August 2, 2024: 2024 MILEAD Leadership Institute.
• Sept. 2024- Aug 2024: Online Seminars & International Programs.
• October 2024- Fellows activate and launch MiCHANGE community projects.

Sept 2024- Sept 2024: Implementation of MiCHANGE Projects

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the MILEAD [Moremi Initiative Leadership Empowerment and Development] Fellows Program