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Where do participating fellows come from?

The program targets women leaders between the ages of 25-45, throughout all sectors of society in Kosovo (for example: local and central Government, the Kosovo Assembly, political parties, civil society and the private sector. Special attention and effort is made to include women leaders from ethnic minorities.

Though the focus of the Washington Leadership Program (WLP) continues to be on women, we try to include qualified men into other components of the program such as dialogues and leadership initiatives. We recruit participants equally from central and local government, the Kosovo Assembly, political parties, civil society and the private sector.

Many women leaders (in government institutions at the central and local levels, assembly and political parties) are faced with leadership and reform management deficiencies. Through participation in our program, women enhance their efficiency, effectiveness and accountability and that of the institution.

From civil society, we focus our recruitment efforts on women in the following categories: professional associations, local NGOs and local community women leaders, businesswomen or entrepreneurs. We are targeting leaders from professional associations because they often lack knowledge and skills about how to use advocacy tools to represent their interests to government and build partnerships which will ensure their participation in policy development.

Building on our successes of minority recruitment in the previous phases of our program, NAAC continues to work with our local partners to recruit participants from all ethnic communities represented in the countries where we work. We aim to have 30% of our participants be from non-Albanian populations.

What does the program look like and how do participants benefit?

The program offers opportunities for women to explore and develop their leadership capacities and expertise through trainings, active research, creative initiatives, dialogues and group work. Giving back to communities and their respective institutions is a core value of the program vision that the participants are encouraged to follow.

The program includes in-country trainings, workshops on applying practical knowledge gained from the trainings and the Washington Leadership Program which contains activities such as: research site internships, trainings, Congressional Shadow Day, etc. .

Who can apply?

We are seeking participants who have the following characteristics:

  • Women leaders from local and central government, the Kosovo Assembly, political parties, civil society and the private sector. Women currently serving as the head or director of a department or agency
  • Demonstrated leadership potential
  • University graduate
  • Fluent in English
  • Genuinely supportive of women’s leadership and of leading work cultures that value the participation of women
  • Committed to improving the government and providing better services to citizens
  • Open-minded and curious about new leadership practices

What commitments does a fellow need to make?

NAAC-Hope Fellowship’s leadership theme is “giving back.” Our vision of a leader is someone who works as an activist to effect positive change in their community. We are seeking excited applicants who share our vision and demonstrate a willingness to join a group of diverse individuals in Kosovo committed to creating a new democratic government and a new model of leadership in Kosovo and the region.