Apply for the Africa Women Leaders in Agro-ecology Initiative for African women in agroecology

The PELUM network’s AWOLA (Africa Women Leaders in Agro-ecology) initiative is designed to help women who work in the fields of agroecology, sustainable agriculture, and food systems strengthen their leadership capabilities. The PELUM network hopes to improve women’s leadership skills and active engagement in agro-ecology institutions through the AWOLA program.

The initiative’s owner, PELUM association, is a regional network of more than 250 civil society organizations operating in 12 nations in East, Central, and Southern Africa. It was established in 1995 and specializes in participatory ecological land use management. By promoting ecological land use management, the Association seeks to enhance the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and the sustainability of farming communities. with national branches in a number of African nations.

Benefits of the Africa Women Leaders in Agro-ecology Initiative

Mentorship: The real mentoring process will involve the development of supportive relationships between the mentee and mentors, who are at various scales and career levels, centered upon their respective professional and personal capacities. A session of matchmaking will be part of the procedure based on the skills and knowledge gaps between mentors and mentees.

Training: AWOLA will help mentorees in a one-year program (via virtual and in-person sessions) become leaders and skilled negotiators who can influence policies and programming while forming partnerships with various stakeholders to achieve desired results. Through AWOLA, mentors and mentees will be encouraged to take part in structured learning to expand their knowledge of agroecology and leadership.

Ideas for leadership innovation will be developed, and mentors and mentees will receive assistance in building networks and pursuing these ideas. The coalition members will be encouraged to fundraise and will receive additional support through the PELUM network to put their innovative ideas into action with the goal of assisting the transformation of agriculture and food systems. The innovation ideas will be shared with PELUM networks for integration across programs.

RECRUITING PROCESS
Through a competitive selection procedure that includes evaluating their experience and leadership potential in the development of agroecology, agriculture, and food systems, the AWOLA mentees and mentors will be chosen.
In response to an open call for applications, prospective mentees and mentors must provide evidence of their suitability (apply here).

The applications will be evaluated by a selection committee made up of professionals in agroecology, agriculture, food systems, and leadership. The AWOLA advisory group will make the ultimate decision.

Major Dates
Please take notice of the application review schedule for this year:

Application opens on September 2, 2023, and closes on September 30, 2023. The top candidates will be notified for interviews on October 5, 2023, following the final round.

Final round interviews were conducted on October 13, 2023, and the recipients were made public on October 20.
For Additional Information. Visit the Africa Women Leaders in Agroecology (AWOLA) Initiative’s official website. Deadline: 30th September 2023