2025 Sister-to-Sister program Now Accepting Applications

Admin,

The Nobel Women’s Initiative (NWI) is currently welcoming applications for the 2025 Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Initiative. For over a decade, this impactful program has connected rising feminist leaders with resources, encouragement, and communities essential for advancing peace, environmental equity, and gender balance globally.

Initiative Overview

The 2025 Sister-to-Sister program follows the theme “Grounded and Growing,” drawing inspiration from Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai’s work. It emphasizes the link between environmental fairness and gender balance, highlighting the need for feminist leadership at the forefront. The initiative will showcase the distinct challenges and leadership roles of women—particularly from Indigenous, Global South, and frontline groups—who face the greatest impact from climate issues but are often sidelined in decision-making.

Initiative Schedule

September 1 – October 6, 2025
Format: Online
Duration: 6-week intensive program
Participants: 25 emerging feminist leaders
Support Stipend: Offered to aid accessibility (e.g., internet, caregiving, travel)

What the Initiative Provides

The program seeks to:

  • Deepen insight into feminist leadership and adaptability in the face of global shifts, focusing on peace, fairness, and gender balance.
  • Develop tools and methods for handling uncertainty, including digital security and leadership rooted in feminist values.
  • Promote shared learning and peer collaboration by building trust, camaraderie, and unity among young women activists tackling overlapping challenges.
  • Inspire community-focused and creative efforts, encouraging innovative feminist solutions for social and ecological progress.
  • Expand feminist networks for mutual support and joint action, boosting resilience through these connections.

The Sister-to-Sister initiative is crafted and led by NWI. To ensure full engagement, a stipend will be provided to selected participants at the program’s conclusion. This assistance is designed to cover internet access, workspace, travel, caregiving duties, and other potential obstacles. Note: Selected participants must provide complete, valid banking information to receive the stipend.

Participation Requirements

Applicants should:

  • Be between 18-35 years old.
  • Display experience or enthusiasm for feminist peace efforts, gender equity, or climate fairness.
  • Commit to joining at least 80% of live sessions.
  • Be proficient in English (spoken and written).
  • Identify as female, trans, or non-binary individuals.
  • Pledge to foster inclusive and supportive alliance networks.

Selection Guidelines

  • Worldwide inclusion.
  • Candidates from East Africa and the following regions are especially invited to apply: Liberia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iran, Iraq, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Colombia, Haiti, Ukraine, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
  • Range of socio-political environments.
  • Diversity in personal backgrounds.
  • Previous engagement in peace initiatives, especially YPS and WPS goals, UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and 1325 implementation, and peace talks/mediation is a plus but not essential.
  • Background in feminist climate equity, demilitarization projects, Paris Agreement, feminist environmental policy, and/or gender discrimination is beneficial.
  • Applicants aspiring to lead or enhance their leadership through this experience and its support system.
  • Those keen to advance their leadership in feminist climate equity and grow their alliance and support networks are warmly invited to apply.
  • Individuals aiming to expand or enhance their political leadership abilities are highly encouraged to join.

Application Procedure

Submissions are due by 11:59 PM ET on July 18, 2025.
Click HERE to Register

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