Building on the success of their inaugural WomenLeaders India Fellowship, Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices have announced the opening of applications for the 2024-25 cohort. This fellowship program is designed to empower and nurture women leaders in India’s social sector, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to gender equality and women-led development.
The WomenLeaders India Fellowship, powered by Reliance Foundation—the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited—and Vital Voices, is set to continue its mission to cultivate and support women leaders driving transformative change within their communities. The program aligns with India’s focus during its G20 Presidency on shifting from women’s development to women-led development, encapsulated in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration’s commitment to “Gender Equality and Empowering All Women and Girls.”
For the 2024-25 cohort, the Fellowship will empower 50 exceptional women leaders from across India who are at the forefront of:
- Climate Resilience: Including Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Sports for Development: Utilizing sports as a tool for social change.
- Education: Strengthening early childhood care and foundational literacy and numeracy.
- Livelihood Generation: Promoting economic self-sufficiency at the grassroots level.
The Fellowship spans over ten months and begins in September 2024. It includes:
- In-Person Convenings: The program starts and ends with gatherings in India, facilitating direct interaction and collaboration.
- Virtual Webinars and Community Gatherings: Focused on leadership and skills development, these sessions will feature leading Indian and international experts.
- Personalized Mentorship: Each Fellow will receive guidance tailored to their leadership journey, enhancing their capacity to drive impactful projects.
- Peer-to-Peer Engagement: Fellows will benefit from a robust support network, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
Throughout the Fellowship, participants will work on innovative projects aligned with the SDGs, with support from mentors and peers. These projects will address critical issues in their communities and contribute to broader global goals.
Applications are open from July 1, 2024, to July 28, 2024, at 23:59 IST. Interested candidates can apply through the official WomenLeaders India Fellowship website. Selection will focus on individuals with groundbreaking work in the Fellowship’s priority areas.
The Fellowship will conclude with a final in-person gathering, where Fellows will present their projects. Selected projects demonstrating significant impact and innovation will receive grant awards to further scale their efforts.
Fellows will also join the vibrant WomenLeaders India Fellowship alumni community, gaining opportunities for national and international visibility and networking through the extensive Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices networks.
In December 2022, the Fellowship identified fifty inspiring women from India’s social sector for its inaugural cohort. These Fellows were recognized for their contributions to Education, Rural Transformation, Livelihood Strengthening, and Sports for Development.
