The Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program 2026 for emerging Women Leaders. – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: March thirteenth, 2026 at 10am ET

Applications at the moment are open for the 2026 Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program. The VV Visionaries program in partnership with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund (ELELF), the charitable fund of Estée Lauder, was created to assist the following technology of emerging leaders who’re redefining management of their on a regular basis lives.   

The VV Visionaries program invests in trailblazing ladies by rising their entry to management coaching and the networks that maintain them. Together with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, this signature program will champion ladies leaders throughout various sectors, industries, and experiences who need to create constructive social affect of their communities and past. 

Three cohorts of fifty ladies visionaries over the age of 18 will take part in a 7-week immersive digital expertise constructed on the confirmed management mannequin of Vital Voices, incorporating classes in management from Estée Lauder executives and Vital Voices Global Network leaders.  

Participants from all three cohorts could have the prospect to be chosen for one annual in-person expertise that gives deeper coaching and funding of their private management journeys. 

VV Visionaries program members will: 

• Join a cohort of 50 ladies leaders dedicated to advancing their management for the larger good.  
• Complete the Vital Voices Leadership Journey, a 7-week digital management growth course primarily based on learnings from over 25 years of labor with leaders from internationally.  
• Participate in interactive small-group discussions and peer studying
• Learn from visitor audio system together with Estée Lauder executives and Vital Voices community.  
• Share, be taught, and construct lasting connections with a cohort of fifty leaders from throughout the world.  

Through this system, members will: 

• Gain a stronger understanding of what drives their management; acquire a deeper consciousness of easy methods to lead inclusive communities; and embrace taking daring actions to create a long-lasting affect. 
• Join the Vital Voices world community of greater than 47,000 ladies leaders from around the globe with full entry to our community Hub with ongoing persevering with training and engagement Opportunities.  
• After this system, members will obtain a certificates of completion.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You determine as a lady
• You might be 18 years outdated by May 2026
• You are proficient in English
• You are the founder or co-founder of a social sector group (NGO, basis, social affect initiative) OR  
• You are the founder or co-founder of a social enterprise (for revenue enterprise with specific social affect)
• You are presently not collaborating in or have graduated from one other Vital Voices management program in 2025 or 2026.

Selection Criteria:

The Vital Voices Visionaries program seeks to determine and assist distinctive ladies leaders who’ve daring concepts and are driving significant change. We will not be merely deciding on résumés — we’re deciding on community-informed leaders with a clear objective that make a difference. 

• Community-Based Leadership: Demonstrates a dedication to constructive neighborhood affect and a need to pay it ahead.  
• Innovative Problem Solving: Challenges the established order and explores new approaches to handle neighborhood wants.  
• Track Record of Action: Shows tangible proof of initiatives, tasks, or measurable steps towards change.  
• Commitment to Community Engagement: Eager to contribute to and stay engaged with the Vital Voices alumni community past this system expertise.  
• Potential for Impact: Leader with the potential to drive their imaginative and prescient ahead, creating a multiplier impact of their neighborhood or sector with the assist of Vital Voices and its community.  

Program Commitment

Participants are anticipated to:

• Actively take part throughout all 7 reside weekly digital periods on Thursday mornings (2 hours every), plus an extra 1-2 hours per work for assignments and peer calls/discussions (3-4 hours weekly).
  • Participants ought to have not more than 2 absences to stay in good standing.
• Complete surveys all through this system and for as much as one yr after program completion, together with a wants evaluation survey, post-session surveys, a post-program survey, and a 12-month follow-up survey.
• Remain engaged with the Vital Voices community upon commencement.

Technical Requirements and Accessibility:
The VV Visionaries program might be digital. You will want entry to a pc with a digital camera or a telephone and a dependable web or community connection to totally take part in this system.

Program Dates
Cohort 12: June 11 – July 23, 2026 
Cohort 13: August 20 – October 1, 2026
Cohort 14: October 29 – December 10, 2026

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Vital Voices (VV) Visionaries Program