Feminist Futures Fellowship: A Global Majority Exchange at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 71)

The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s (HBS), Washington DC Office is pleased to announce the fifth iteration of its CSW Fellowship. Our fellowship aims to support feminist experts from the Global Majority to be part of the annual session on the Commission on the Status of Women , which will take place in New York City from March 8-19, 2027. Next year's session will revolve around the priority theme, ‘Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. The fellowship will cover participants’ travel and accommodation costs to attend the CSW, provide passes to the CSW meetings, as well as opportunities to attend supplementary meetings and events tailored to the fellowship.

The key objectives of this fellowship opportunity are:

- To provide space, access, and experience in the realm of international institutions and connect underrepresented voices to relevant decision-makers.

- To provide a learning and networking experience for emerging and experienced feminist leaders. As a result, participants will be better able to pursue their policy and advocacy aims and tap into a global network of like-minded change-makers;

- To enable more intergenerational and cross-regional debate on feminist ideas;

- To serve as a mechanism through which emerging feminist leaders can identify issues that require further debate and advocacy, and where exchange between relevant actors can be facilitated.

WHAT WE EXPECT

- Travel to the US and participate at the CSW 71 : All candidates must be available to travel to the US during a 7-day period during the conference dates in March 2027. The exact dates of the trip will be set once the CSW program is announced.

- Engage in discussions and provide thematic inputs: Once selected, fellows will be asked to provide a short statement/strategy outlining what goals they aim to achieve at the CSW (e.g. an intervention during a specific event, targeted networking on a specific issue, etc.). During the exchange visit, participants will be asked to share their key insights and expertise in public and private events, workshops and meetings. Participants are free to choose CSW and NGO side events how they see fit but are expected to attend meetings and exchanges organized by the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

- Active social media engagement: In the lead-up to, during, and after the CSW, participants are expected to actively engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation over social media channels to report on their experiences. Fellows are expected to provide quick and concise statements and messages from the events they attend to share lessons amongst each other and with a broader public. The Foundation will also publish a profile of each participant on the website of its Washington DC office (https://us.boell.org/en) and its Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy (https://www.boell.de/en/topics/gender-policy-lgbti)

- Be part of a growing network

Please note that professional competency in English is required.

WHAT WE OFFER

- Travel Costs: The Heinrich Böll Foundation will cover the cost of international flights; transportation to the departing and arriving airport, up to 7 nights of accommodation in New York City and health/travel insurance.

- Visibility and Platform: Before the CSW, selected fellows will be promoted on social media channels to create a visible online platform around their aims and to amplify important political messages related to the CSW.

- CSW Registration: The Foundation will facilitate conference registration, accreditation, and access.

- Skills and Network : The selected fellows will get access to the global HBS network, introductory sessions and strategizing workshops ahead of CSW, networking events, bi- and multilateral meetings, as well as informal sessions for exchange during CSW.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Experience and applicant profile: We reserve a specific amount of seats for applicants who are young feminists (between the ages of 21 and 35) and who have not yet attended a CSW in the past. Also considering more experienced profiles, we hope to create a space that encourages learning and exchange within the group. We also encourage HBS partner organizations with or without CSW experience to apply and indicate their connection to HBS in their application.

Regional background: in 2027, we are seeking candidates based in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Applications should consist of:

- Resume: Please use a standard US format. Standard US resumes do not include pictures or marital/familial status and have a maximum of 2 pages. Please indicate your age, as we reserve some fellowships for candidates aged 21-35.

- Challenge / motivational statement: Please write a short (max 300 words) reflection on the biggest challenge you see for the movement towards gender equality or women's rights right now. How do you propose to deal with it and what are concrete steps that you are currently taking? How will your participation at the CSW help you navigate those challenges?

- Post-Fellowship Communications: Fellows may be invited to write a short article, commentary, or blog post reflecting their fellowship experience and key learnings. Please include your answer to the following questions in your motivational statement:

- Would you be willing to write a short article, commentary, or blog post following the fellowship

- If yes, do you already have any ideas for a topic or angle you would like to explore? (Maximum 200 words)

The application deadline is November 2, 2026.

About the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC

The Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC is a non-profit organization that is part of the global green movement. The Washington, DC office, in line with the Foundation’s guiding principles and values, works to strengthen civil liberties, human rights, and democratic institutions. We promote gender equality, social justice, and equity. We strive to preserve a habitable planet for current and future generations. We foster these goals through a diversity of projects such as public seminars, fellowships, study tours, and publications.

For questions and inquiries, please contact Carla Adams at [email protected]   or Mariama Baldé at [email protected] .