International Center for Local Democracy Women’s Political Leadership Programme

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About International Center for Local Democracy Women’s Political Leadership Programme

The 12-months training focuses on developing political leadership skills and is open only to women leaders who hold an elected or appointed seat in a local or regional government in any of the OECD-DAC listed ODA-countries. All parts of the training are based on equity, participation, transparency and accountability, and the goal is to strengthen democracy in the organizations taking part in the training, primarily by strengthening the politician herself, as well as capacitating women politicians in general to be good role models and to get a higher involvement of underrepresented groups in decision making bodies. 

The training is implemented in cooperation with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR). 

The programme aims to provide the following changes in the participant: 

• Empower the participant with improved leadership skills  
• Help the participant to fully utilize the power and influence of her position  
• Strengthen her as a role model to encourage political participation among marginalized groups  
• Give her access to a network of women in similar positions

During the training, the participant will work on her change process and implement a strategy to make the local authority equitable, participatory, transparent and accountable. 

• Sponsor Organisation: International Center for Local Democracy

Benefits of International Center for Local Democracy Women’s Political Leadership Programme

• Valuable exchange of knowledge and experiences
• Extended regional and international networks
• Improved skills as a driver for change in initiating and implementing instituational change
• Skills and abilities to communicate and advocate on issues of inclusive governance
• Three-day study-visit in a Swedish municipality or region
• Support to improve participation, equality, transparency and accountability in the local governance

What they will offer:

• Advanced training in communication, strategic planning and leadership
• Swedish mentorship including an individual three-day study visit in a Swedish municipality or region
• International exposure to different political experiences
• An opportunity for your municipality to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

How?

• Through skills training workshops on site or digitally
• Identification of challenges and finding solutions to issues faced by women politicians
• By offering strategic support and coaching from ICLD staff and mentors
• In sharing of professional obstacles and successes in an inclusive environment

International Center for Local Democracy Women’s Political Leadership Programme Requirements

1. All countries on the OECD-DAC listed ODA-countries are eligible for the upcoming cohort of the programme, but if a local election is held during the year when the training takes place, the country is temporarily taken off the list. This is also aplicable if the country is having av election between August and December the current year
2. Limited to women currently serving as Mayors, deputy Mayors, or Governors and deputy Governors as we broadened the programme to the entire OECD-DAC.

Language requirements

The training programme will be organised and conducted in English. Proficiency in English shall be indicated in the Application form.

Health requirements

Considering the training programme consists of international travels and work away from home in a new environment, good health and ability to work without health restrictions is required. You need to be enjoying full working capacity and to be able to engage in an active programme with long days of seminars, study visits and interactive networking. It is therefore recommended that candidates undergo a medical examination before filling in the Medical Statement in the Application form.

Other requirements

The outline of the problem to be addressed by the change process will be of crucial importance in the selection of participants. Once selected, the participant is required to attend all scheduled parts of the 12-months programme and must have approval to participate in all aspects of the program from her local authority. She is required to actively participate in the workshops and complete assignments between workshops (journals, reports).

Due to the nature of the programme, family members are NOT allowed to accompany participants at any part ofthe programme.

Application Date and Process

If you are shortlisted and invited to a digital interview, you will be asked to provide evidence of your position in your LGA or municipality. This could be a certificate of employment, an identification proving your elected position or similar.

If, after the first interview, you move forward in the process, we will invite you to a second digital interview with you and the representative of the organisation that nominated you to participate in the programme. If you are accepted and invited to the programme, we will ask you and the organisation representative to sign a formal Letter of Commitment and if you do not already have a passport, you will be asked to apply for one as soon as possible.
When you apply, you will be asked to verify that you hold the stated position by uploading a document that verifies that.

Application shall be made electronically, via link here below and include a photo copy of your passport, a validation of your appointed position and other required information and documents. An outline of the problem to be addressed by the change process will be asked to be submitted as part of the application and plays a key role in the selection of participants.

The change process must be described in the application and you will be asked to describe:

• The societal challenge/problem for change you want to address
• Describe which democratic components – equity, participation, transparency and accountability – that are particularly crucial for addressing the challenge and its development to lead to better local democracy
• In which way this work will anticipate citizens’ needs

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Application Deadline

04 August, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

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