Call For Applications: Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) 2026 – ECOWAS Region

Application Deadline: July 19, 2026

About the Fellowship

The ECOWAS region is experiencing increasing climate-related human mobility challenges, disproportionately affecting women due to systemic inequalities. Despite their vital roles in resilience-building and adaptation, women are often underrepresented in climate-migration policy frameworks. The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) aims to empower women leaders from the ECOWAS region with knowledge, tools, and platforms to lead policy dialogues, implement solutions, and build inclusive networks for sustainable, climate-resilient development. The Women’s Fellowship on HMCCC is funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, co-financed by Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) , and commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) , Germany. Implemented by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) under the GIZ-led Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) Programme, the fellowship seeks to strengthen women’s participation in climate and migration policy processes, support community-led initiatives, and foster regional collaboration among emerging women leaders.

Objectives of the Fellowship

• Strengthen women’s leadership and participation in climate mobility governance and policy processes
• Build the capacity of young women to address climate-induced migration and displacement through gender-responsive approaches
• Support fellows to design and implement community-based pilot projects that address climate mobility challenges
• Foster regional collaboration, peer learning, and knowledge exchange among women leaders across the ECOWAS region
• Increase women’s representation in regional and global climate, migration, and development dialogues

Fellowship Structure

Duration: 6 Months (July – December 2026)

Format: Hybrid (Virtual Orientation + In-Person Training + Mentorship)

Phase 1: Recruitment, Orientation & Capacity Building

Selected fellows will participate in a fully funded training workshop covering:

• Climate Mobility in West Africa
• Gender Mainstreaming in Climate and Migration Policy
• Policy Engagement and Advocacy
• Leadership and Community Impact

Training sessions will be delivered by regional experts and mentors, with simultaneous interpretation and bilingual learning materials available in English and French.

Phase 2: Mentorship & Pilot Project Implementation

Individual Mentorship:
Each fellow will be matched with an experienced mentor based on thematic interests and language preference. Fellows will receive monthly coaching and technical guidance to support their growth and project implementation.

Pilot Project Grant:
Fellows will be eligible to receive a grant ranging from USD 500–1,000 to implement a community-based pilot project or research initiative.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Gender-responsive climate mobility research and case studies
• Community-led climate resilience initiatives
• Awareness and education campaigns
• Policy advocacy and evidence-generation projects
• Livelihood and capacity-building initiatives for vulnerable groups

Phase 3: Participation in Regional & Global Events

Outstanding fellows may be supported to participate in regional and international policy and advocacy platforms, including climate, migration, and gender-focused events. Support may include pre-event coaching and preparation, policy brief development support, networking opportunities, interpretation and language support.

Community of Practice & Alumni Network

Following completion of the fellowship, fellows will join a regional Community of Practice and Alumni Network, providing access to:

• Continued peer learning opportunities
• Quarterly knowledge-sharing sessions
• Networking and collaboration opportunities
• Access to relevant regional and global opportunities

Eligibility Criteria

We are seeking applications from young women aged 18–35 years from ECOWAS Member States who are passionate about climate action, human mobility, gender equality, and community development.

The candidates must:

• Have demonstrated leadership experience in climate change, migration, gender advocacy, environmental sustainability, youth engagement, or community development
• Be actively engaged in community initiatives, civil society, research, policy advocacy, or related fields
• Have a project idea or ongoing initiative that addresses climate-related human mobility and can be further developed through the fellowship
• Be committed to influencing policy, driving community impact, and collaborating across cultures and languages
• Be available to fully participate in all fellowship activities
• Possess good communication skills and a willingness to engage in cross-cultural and multilingual collaboration

Eligible Countries:

The Fellowship Programme will recruit dynamic young women leaders from the following ECOWAS Member States:

• Anglophone: Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone
• Francophone: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, Togo
• Lusophone: Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau

Language Support

All fellowship activities will be conducted bilingually in English and French, with professional interpretation and translated materials provided throughout the programme.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents compiled into a single Word or PDF file:

1. Motivation Letter outlining interest in the fellowship and how it aligns with personal and professional goals (maximum 1 page)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience and achievements (maximum 2 pages)
3. Brief Project Proposal describing an initiative to be developed or scaled during the fellowship (maximum 3 pages)

Submission Details

Interested applicants should submit their application to: Fellowship.HMCCC@wepnigeria.net

Email Subject Line: HMCCC Fellowship Application – Applicant Name – Country (e.g., HMCCC Fellowship Application – Amina Diallo – Senegal)

Application Deadline: July 19, 2026

Why This Fellowship Matters

The ECOWAS region is experiencing increasing climate-related human mobility challenges, disproportionately affecting women due to systemic inequalities. Despite their vital roles in resilience-building and adaptation, women are often underrepresented in climate-migration policy frameworks. This fellowship addresses these gaps by empowering women leaders with knowledge, tools, and platforms to lead policy dialogues, implement solutions, and build inclusive networks for sustainable, climate-resilient development.

For young women aged 18–35 from ECOWAS Member States who are passionate about climate action, human mobility, gender equality, and community development, this fellowship offers:

• Fully funded training on climate mobility and policy advocacy
• Mentorship from experienced professionals
• A grant of USD 500–1,000 for community-based pilot projects
• Participation in regional and global policy events
• Membership in a regional Community of Practice and Alumni Network

For More Information: Visit the Official WEP Nigeria Fellowship Page