Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program 2026 – Apply Now

Application Deadline: June 26, 2026

About the Program

In an intensive virtual program, young feminist leaders sisters are brought together through the Sister-to-Sister program, which fosters crucial solidarity, support, sisterhood, and skills-building to better equip activists for the challenges ahead. A cornerstone of the Nobel Women’s Initiative’s strategy to foster a world where feminist peace and security prevail, the Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program has been for over a decade. To deepen their understanding of feminist leadership, challenge public narratives around peace and justice, and expand feminist networks for collective action, young feminist peace activists are equipped with tools by the program. 2026 Theme: “Peace in the Age of AI: Building Feminist Futures“ By the work of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa, whose journalism and advocacy have been at the forefront of defending truth, accountability and democratic space in the digital age, this year’s program is inspired. From analysis to action, the 2026 Sister-to-Sister cohort will move, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping power, conflict, and peace, with a focus on the specific ways these technologies impact women and feminist movements.

About the Nobel Women’s Initiative

Including Jody Williams (USA), Shirin Ebadi (Iran), Tawakkol Karman (Yemen), Leymah Gbowee (Liberia), Rigoberta Menchú Tum (Guatemala), Narges Mohammadi (Iran), Maria Ressa (Philippines), and Oleksandra Matviichuk (Ukraine), by women Nobel Peace Prize laureates, the Nobel Women’s Initiative is led. To elevate the voices and support the work of women peace activists around the world, the laureates work together to use the platform and access that the Nobel Peace Prize offers. To date, over 140 young women leaders from more than 35 countries have participated in the Sister-to-Sister Program. To foster long-term connections and strengthen feminist leadership, an alumni network has been built by the program.

Program Benefits

From 24 August to 28 September 2026, a 6-week intensive virtual learning program will be taken part in by twenty-five young feminist activists. To ensure selected Sisters are able to fully participate, an honorarium will be provided to selected participants at the end of the program. To internet access, work space, transportation, care responsibilities and other potential barriers to participation, this honorarium is intended to contribute. In order to receive the honorarium, full, valid bank details must be supplied by selected applicants.

Program Objectives:

• Of how artificial intelligence is reshaping power, conflict, peace and the specific ways these technologies impact women and feminist movements, understanding is broadened
• Of AI-driven disinformation, digital security threats, autonomous weapons, and the gendered dimensions of emerging technology, knowledge and critical analysis are built
• For navigating the digital information ecosystem, including digital safety, counter-disinformation tactics and adaptive feminist leadership, tools and strategies are strengthened
• How AI can be leveraged to advance feminist peacebuilding from amplifying women-led movements, to strengthening early warning systems and expanding access to justice is explored
• By deepening mutual trust, sisterhood, and solidarity among young women activists, collective learning and peer exchange are enhanced
• For support and collective action, feminist networks are deepened, and resilience and long-term capacity for change are built

Eligibility Requirements

Basic Eligibility:

• Between 18–35 years old, candidates must be
• In English, able to effectively engage
• To full participation in at least 80% of live, cohort-wide sessions, willing and able to commit
• For supporting feminist peacebuilding, women’s rights, digital rights, and/or feminist social justice movements as volunteers, professionals, or activists, passion and some experience
• To be an impactful feminist leader within local contexts, drive and potential
• Trans and non-binary activists are encouraged to apply

Preferred Background (not mandatory):

• In peace processes, digital rights advocacy, journalism, or technology governance — particularly in relation to YPS and WPS agendas, UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 implementation, and peace negotiations/mediation previous involvement is preferred but not mandatory
• On feminist approaches to technology, AI governance, counter-disinformation, digital security, autonomous weapons, and/or gender and media, experience working is an advantage

Selection Criteria:

• From East Africa and the following countries, applicants are highly encouraged to apply: Philippines, Liberia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iran, Iraq, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Colombia, Haiti, Ukraine, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico
• Of socio-political contexts and backgrounds, diversity
• Who aspire to become a leader / become a strengthened leader as a result of engagement in this experience and growth of their support and solidarity network, candidates are highly encouraged to apply
• To broaden or elevate their political leadership capabilities, individuals with ambitions are highly encouraged to apply

Why This Program Matters

How power and violence are exercised, artificial intelligence is reshaping from AI-driven disinformation, deepfakes and coordinated online harassment used to silence women in public life, to the rise of autonomous weapons systems transforming the future of conflict. At the intersection of these threats, women journalists, peacebuilders, content creators, communicators, and human rights defenders are increasingly targeted. Neutral, these technologies are not they reflect and amplify existing inequalities, and how they are governed, feminist leadership in shaping has never been more urgent. For young feminist activists working at the intersection of peace, technology, and gender justice, a transformative opportunity to deepen knowledge, build solidarity, and strengthen leadership in navigating the digital and AI landscape through a feminist lens is offered by the Sister-to-Sister Program.

Application Requirements

Before 11:59 PM ET, on 26 June 2026, candidate applications are due.

Applications should include:

1. A personal letter or video (max 2 minutes or 1 page) outlining:
2. How the candidate has been contributing to feminist peace, digital rights, social and/or environmental justice
3. The primary challenges in their context (contextually / personally / professionally)
4. How they hope the program will benefit them and their work

2. Current resume, with up to date, detailed experience (paid, volunteer, academic)
3. Reference letter from a feminist peace, social or digital rights activist or organization, with contact details for follow up

How to Apply

Click on the link below to apply.

Application Link: Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official Nobel Women’s Initiative Page