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

Application Deadline: July 19, 2026

About the Fellowship

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) is a prestigious regional leadership and capacity-development programme established to empower young women across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region to become influential leaders in addressing the growing challenges of climate-induced human mobility. Recognizing that climate change disproportionately affects women and vulnerable communities, the fellowship equips participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and leadership capacity needed to develop gender-responsive solutions to issues such as displacement, migration, environmental degradation, and community resilience. The fellowship is implemented by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) under the GIZ-led Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) Programme. It is funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). This multi-partner collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening regional responses to climate change while ensuring that women play a central role in shaping policies and solutions. Through an intensive six-month programme, fellows participate in leadership development, technical training, mentorship, policy engagement, and collaborative learning experiences that deepen their understanding of the relationship between climate change, migration, and sustainable development. Participants also gain practical experience in designing and implementing community-led initiatives that promote climate resilience, support displaced and vulnerable populations, and advocate for inclusive climate governance. Beyond individual capacity building, the fellowship seeks to increase women’s representation in climate and migration policy processes at local, national, and regional levels. By creating a network of emerging women leaders across the ECOWAS region, the programme encourages cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective action to address shared environmental and humanitarian challenges. The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) serves as a platform for nurturing the next generation of women leaders committed to advancing climate justice, promoting sustainable development, and developing innovative, community-driven responses to climate-induced human mobility. Through leadership, mentorship, and regional cooperation, the fellowship empowers participants to influence policy, strengthen community resilience, and contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive and climate-resilient future across West Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to young women aged 18–35 from ECOWAS Member States who are passionate about climate action, human mobility, gender equality, and community development.

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
• 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 will recruit 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

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

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)

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