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.
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