Deadline: September 24, 2026
Applications are invited for the Indigenous Women’s Program Fellowship 2027 – Cohort V. Beginning in 2023, under the Indigenous Women’s Program, the year-long fellowship nurtures the next generation of Indigenous women leaders by supporting those who are taking innovative steps that contribute to gender equality, the well-being of their communities, and the recognition of their land and resource rights. Through the Fellowship Program, over 15 women have successfully implemented their projects in their communities.
Land is Life launched the Indigenous Women’s Program in 2022. Designed and led by Indigenous women, the program supports Indigenous women and their organisations in Africa, Asia, and throughout the Americas in effectively asserting their individual and collective rights to access, use, and control land and natural resources; to improve their livelihoods; and to promote and protect their peoples’ entitlements. The Program has provided Indigenous women leaders with funding, direct support (including stipends), as well as mentorship and training opportunities. This support has led to many women’s participation in international spaces.
Themes
- Climate change and environmental justice: adaptation/mitigation, biodiversity protection, false solutions critique
- Land rights and territorial defense: securing territories against extractives, evictions, illegal logging/mining; FPIC protocols
- Food sovereignty and livelihoods: agroecology, seed sovereignty, economic alternatives to industrial agribusiness
- Health and well-being: access to traditional medicine, mental health support post-disaster, maternal/child health, violence prevention
- Economic empowerment and livelihoods strengthening: community enterprises, market access, sustainable income generation, women’s economic leadership
- Governance: supporting organization’s internal structures, autonomy models rooted in traditional governance systems
Benefits
- Personalized mentoring from Indigenous women leaders with proven experience advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
- Funding and technical support (up to $3,000 USD) to design and implement a community-level project.
- A stipend of $3,600 USD to support your participation throughout the program.
- Knowledge sharing through bimonthly trainings on key topics related to Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
- Leadership development to strengthen Indigenous women’s voices and decision-making power.
- Networking opportunities to build or strengthen alliances with local, regional, and global partners and allies.
- Advocacy support to participate in national and international decision-making spaces.
Eligibility
- Open to Indigenous women who are between 18 and 35 years old.
- To expand access to advanced learning opportunities, priority will be given to Indigenous women who do not hold a master’s or doctoral degree.
- Applicants must be able to speak fluently in English, French, or Spanish.
- The applicant should not have been a former Land is Life fellow.
- Priority will be given to applicants from countries that have not been previously selected to participate in The Indigenous Women’s Fellowship Program.
- Countries previously represented: Indonesia, Tanzania, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Kenya, Mali, Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, Mexico, Bolivia.
Application
- Fill out the application form
- Develop a community project that promotes the rights of Indigenous Peoples, with particular attention to the rights of Indigenous women and girls. The applicant’s community project proposal should align with the aforementioned central themes of the Program.
- Provide a letter of recommendation from an Indigenous Peoples organization, representative/leader from applicant’s territory, or equivalent official source.
For applicants with little to no internet access:
Begin by sending an email to [email protected]. Include that you are experiencing difficulties filling out the form and request to receive the application questions via email. Once questions are received, prepare responses and send a follow-up email to [email protected]. Applications must be submitted before the application deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information, visit Indigenous Women’s Program Fellowship.
