Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) 2026: Fully Funded ECOWAS Fellowship for Young Women Leaders Driving Climate Mobility Solutions

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) 2026 is now accepting applications from outstanding young women across the ECOWAS region who are passionate about climate action, migration, gender equality, and community development. This prestigious six-month regional fellowship is designed to strengthen women’s leadership, build technical capacity, and support community-led solutions addressing the growing challenge of climate-induced human mobility in West Africa.

Implemented by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) under the GIZ-led Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) Programme, the fellowship equips emerging women leaders with the knowledge, mentorship, funding, and regional networks needed to influence climate and migration policies while implementing impactful community projects.

Supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, co-financed by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this fellowship provides a unique opportunity for women to become influential advocates for gender-responsive climate resilience and sustainable development throughout the ECOWAS region.

About the Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC)

Climate change is increasingly forcing people across West Africa to migrate due to drought, flooding, desertification, coastal erosion, and other environmental pressures. Women and girls are among those most affected because of existing social, economic, and gender inequalities.

Despite playing vital roles in building community resilience, women remain significantly underrepresented in climate migration governance, policy formulation, and decision-making processes.

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) was established to address this gap by empowering young women leaders with practical skills, leadership training, mentorship, financial support, and regional collaboration opportunities.

The programme enables participants to:

• Strengthen their leadership capacity.
• Influence climate mobility policies.
• Develop community-driven solutions.
• Build regional partnerships.
• Participate in national, regional, and international climate and migration dialogues.

Fellowship Objectives

The fellowship has been designed to achieve several important objectives across the ECOWAS region.

1. Strengthen Women’s Leadership

The programme seeks to increase women’s leadership and participation in climate mobility governance and policy processes.

2. Build Capacity

Participants will receive specialized knowledge and practical skills needed to address climate-induced migration using gender-responsive approaches.

3. Support Community-Based Solutions

Fellows will receive support to design and implement pilot projects that respond directly to climate mobility challenges affecting their communities.

4. Promote Regional Collaboration

The programme creates opportunities for peer learning, networking, and collaboration among young women leaders from different ECOWAS countries.

5. Increase Women’s Representation

The fellowship aims to ensure more women actively contribute to regional and global discussions on climate change, migration, and sustainable development.

Fellowship Duration

The programme runs for:

• Duration: Six months
• Programme Period: July–December 2026

Fellowship Format

The fellowship combines both virtual and in-person learning experiences through a hybrid model that includes:

• Virtual orientation
• Fully funded in-person training
• Individual mentorship
• Community project implementation
• Regional networking activities

Fellowship Structure

The fellowship is delivered in three comprehensive phases.

Phase One: Recruitment, Orientation and Capacity Building

Selected fellows will participate in a fully funded training programme covering key topics such as:

• Climate mobility in West Africa
• Gender mainstreaming in climate and migration policy
• Policy engagement and advocacy
• Leadership development
• Community impact strategies

Training sessions will be facilitated by experienced regional experts and mentors.

To ensure inclusivity, all sessions will include:

• Simultaneous English and French interpretation
• Bilingual learning materials

Phase Two: Mentorship and Pilot Project Implementation

Individual Mentorship

Each fellow will be matched with an experienced mentor based on:

• Thematic interests
• Professional background
• Preferred language

Participants will receive monthly coaching and technical guidance throughout the programme.

Pilot Project Grant

A major highlight of the fellowship is access to financial support for community initiatives.

Eligible fellows may receive grants ranging from:

• USD 500–USD 1,000

The funding supports pilot projects or research initiatives focusing on climate-related human mobility.

Examples include:

• Gender-responsive climate mobility research
• Community climate resilience initiatives
• Public awareness campaigns
• Policy advocacy projects
• Evidence-generation activities
• Livelihood programmes
• Capacity-building initiatives for vulnerable communities

Phase Three: Regional and International Participation

Outstanding fellows may receive support to participate in:

• Regional policy dialogues
• International climate conferences
• Migration forums
• Gender equality events
• Advocacy platforms

Support may include:

• Pre-event coaching
• Policy brief development
• Networking opportunities
• Interpretation services
• Language support

Community of Practice and Alumni Network

Upon completing the fellowship, participants automatically become members of the regional Community of Practice and Alumni Network.

Benefits include:

• Continued peer learning
• Quarterly knowledge-sharing sessions
• Professional networking
• Regional collaboration opportunities
• Access to future climate and development opportunities

Language Support

To encourage participation from across the ECOWAS region, all fellowship activities are conducted bilingually.

Participants receive:

• English interpretation
• French interpretation
• Professionally translated learning materials

This enables meaningful cross-cultural collaboration among fellows from different linguistic backgrounds.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will enjoy numerous benefits throughout the programme, including:

• Fully funded leadership and capacity-building training
• Hybrid learning experience
• Expert mentorship
• Monthly coaching sessions
• Community pilot project grants worth USD 500–1,000
• Regional networking opportunities
• Participation in policy dialogues
• Access to international advocacy events (for outstanding fellows)
• Membership in a regional alumni network
• Long-term collaboration opportunities
• English and French interpretation support
• Exposure to regional climate and migration experts

Eligible Pilot Project Areas

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects focusing on areas such as:

• Climate-induced human mobility
• Community resilience
• Gender-responsive climate action
• Environmental sustainability
• Migration research
• Community awareness campaigns
• Livelihood development
• Policy advocacy
• Evidence generation
• Capacity building for vulnerable populations

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship welcomes applications from young women aged 18–35 years who are nationals of ECOWAS Member States and are passionate about climate action and community development.

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate leadership experience in climate change, migration, environmental sustainability, gender advocacy, youth engagement, or community development.
• Be actively involved in community initiatives, civil society organizations, research institutions, or policy advocacy.
• Have a project idea or ongoing initiative related to climate-induced human mobility.
• Show commitment to policy influence and community impact.
• Be available for the full duration of the fellowship.
• Possess good communication skills.
• Be willing to collaborate across cultures and languages.

Eligible Countries

The fellowship will recruit young women leaders from ECOWAS Member States, including:

Anglophone Countries

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Gambia
• Liberia
• Sierra Leone

Francophone Countries

• Benin
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Guinea
• Senegal
• Togo

Lusophone Countries

• Cape Verde
• Guinea-Bissau

Application Requirements

Applicants must compile the following documents into a single PDF or Word file:

1. Motivation Letter

Maximum one page explaining:

• Interest in the fellowship
• Career goals
• Alignment with fellowship objectives

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Maximum two pages highlighting:

• Relevant experience
• Leadership achievements
• Community involvement

3. Project Proposal

Maximum three pages describing:

• The proposed project or initiative
• Expected impact
• How it will be developed during the fellowship

Application Submission

Applications should be submitted via email to:

Fellowship.HMCCC@wepnigeria.net

Applicants should use the following subject format:

HMCCC Fellowship Application – Applicant Name – Country

Example:

HMCCC Fellowship Application – Amina Diallo – Senegal

Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is:

19 July 2026

Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents early and submit well before the deadline.

Why You Should Apply

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change offers much more than leadership training. It provides a unique platform for young women to become influential advocates for climate resilience and gender equality across West Africa.

Participants will:

• Strengthen their leadership skills.
• Gain practical knowledge in climate mobility.
• Receive mentorship from experienced professionals.
• Access funding for community projects.
• Expand regional and international networks.
• Influence climate and migration policies.
• Join a long-term alumni community dedicated to sustainable development.

For women passionate about climate justice, migration policy, environmental sustainability, and community leadership, this fellowship provides an exceptional opportunity to create lasting impact while advancing their professional development.

Visit HERE to read more about the Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) 2026.

Conclusion

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) 2026 is an outstanding leadership and capacity-building opportunity for young women across the ECOWAS region. Through expert training, mentorship, project funding, policy engagement, and regional collaboration, the programme equips participants with the tools needed to become influential leaders addressing one of West Africa’s most urgent development challenges.

If you are a young woman committed to advancing climate resilience, gender equality, and sustainable development, this fully funded fellowship offers the resources, support, and network to help you drive meaningful change in your community and beyond. Interested applicants should prepare their application materials and submit them before 19 July 2026.

Discover more global Fellowship, African, and Women opportunities on OFY.