The Impact West Africa Fellowship program equips changemakers from the region with the skills and support needed to tackle common challenges that affect close to half a billion people across the region’s 17 countries. Each Impact Fellow will participate in an intensive 12-month journey to help them advance their individual advocacy goals. Throughout the year-long program, Fellows continue their professional commitments while receiving tailored mentorship, attending two immersive convenings, and participating in quarterly online training sessions between convenings.
Key program details include:
2 in-person week-long convenings
- Advocacy- Participants will engage in intensive sessions aimed at introducing and exploring various aspects of advocacy, including key elements of advocacy, strategies for effective advocacy, and the role of advocacy in driving social change.
- Strategic Engagement for Advocacy- fellows will delve into communication tools essential for effective advocacy work. Fellows will not only refine their communication skills but also explore fundraising and networking strategies vital for effective advocacy work.
Quarterly virtual trainings
Each quarter, fellows will engage in a series of online training sessions tailored to address the specific needs of the cohort. These sessions will cover a diverse range of topics aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge, further empowering them as change agents within West Africa. Example of possible trainings include the following:
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- Community Mobilization and Engagement
- Coalition Building
- Arts and activism
- Harvesting Outcomes (Advocacy and measuring impact)
- Narrative Change
- Media and Digital Advocacy Strategies
- Community-Led Advocacy Campaigns
- Policy Analysis and Influencing Decision-Makers
Professional mentorship support
Mentoring and coaching of fellows will be core aspects of the fellowship. Each fellow will be paired with an experienced mentor supporting both their advocacy and strategic engagement development. These mentors will provide personalized guidance and support throughout the fellowship journey. Mentors and fellows will engage in regular check-in meetings to assess progress, set goals, and discuss challenges and opportunities.