SI Leader Lab brings together young influential civil society leaders who are working for the Sustainable Development Goals. The participants are the fast runners, the innovative minds and pioneers in their communities, open for new digital solutions and innovative methods. The network consists of peers from cross sectors in civil society and will give the participants a broad input from different spheres. The overarching objective is to strengthen leaders who are working for the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year the programme invites leaders who are working for the Sustainable Development Goal 16 (just, peaceful and inclusive societies Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | The Global Goals).
There will be two programmes with participants from three regions:
- 60 participants from South Asia, Middle East and North Afrika
- 30 participants from Eastern Europe
The programme is an opportunity for you to develop your advocacy skills and work on strategic outreach within your focus area. It’s also an opportunity to grow as a leader, exchange experiences, form new connections and to try out innovative tools and methods with peers.
The programme, spread over three months, contains highly interactive online meetings. We will work in smaller learning groups, combined with sessions that include all participants. The training is founded on experience-based and collaborative learning and will allow you to explore real challenges and areas of development for your own organisation in an innovative and supportive environment.
The programme is as much about personal as professional development. It is about growing as a person with renewed confidence and insights, and growing as a leader with new tools, methods and perspectives.
The particular expertise and experience of the participants will largely determine the topics that we work on. The following broader issues, however, will be central: value-based leadership and group development and effective advocacy methods.
SI Leader Lab will give you:
- Personal insights as a leader: how to lead yourself and others through increased self-awareness and increased understanding of group development.
- An opportunity to explore effective advocacy methods that will help you shape and reach out with a message to intended audiences.
- The possibility to share and build knowledge in a network of experts, to inspire each other and share experiences on common challenges.
Can I apply?
You can apply to SI Leader Lab if you:
- Have a leading position (formal or informal) in a civil society organisation or network working for the Sustainable Development Goal 16, within the 2030 Agenda.
- Work in a collaborative setting, where you have a leadership role (formal or informal).
- Are between 22 and 32 years old (born 1989–2000).
- Have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
- Are a citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, Yemen
- Are available to take part in all parts of the programme.
- Are prepared to forward competences and knowledge you gain from the programme to your team, organisation or other relevant actors.
Please note that we are not able to make any exceptions to the eligibility requirements.
Please note that SI Leader Lab is a demanding programme, as we use experienced based learning and reflection as a tool for personal growth. Therefore, we recommend that all participants are in psychological balance and willing to put in the efforts that the programme requires.
Programme timeline
- Approximate schedule: 23 March -15 June – sessions once every week at 10 am-1 pm CET. There will also be some additional dates with longer sessions. Participants will take part in online seminars, practical group assignments and individual project work.
- Diploma ceremony: 15 June
Costs covered and arranged by Swedish Institute
1. Apply
Only applicants who have submitted a complete application will be considered for the programme. To apply for SI Leader Lab, please go to the application portal: Apply online! – Swedish Institute: Leadership application portal (si.se)
These are the steps you need to go through to submit your application
- Register your profile in the application portal
- Select what programme you would like to apply for:* Link to SI Leader Lab MENA/South Asia:
SI Leader Lab MENA/ South Asia 2022 – Swedish Institute: Leadership application portal
* Link to SI Leader Lab Eastern Europe:
SI Leader Lab Eastern Europe 2022 – Swedish Institute: Leadership application portal
- Answer all the questions in the different sections in the application portal (sections in the left hand menu).
- Upload your CV under the document section.
- When you have submitted your application you will get a confirmation email.
- You will also get an email with a link to record a short video. Follow the instructions in the email. You will have to record the video within 24 hours after receiving the link. It will take less than ten minutes to record the video. You will get two questions to answer within two minutes each. We ask you to make the recording in a quiet setting and if possible use headphones with a built-in microphone.Please note that it is mandatory to make the video recording.We are wishing you the best of luck!
2. Evaluation of applications
Each application is evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Drive and motivation
- Awareness and analytical skills
- To what extent the applicant has impact on strategic decisions within his/her organisation or network
- To what extent the applicant’s organisation/network is driving change towards Sustainable Development Goal 16.
- The candidate’s possibility to both benefit from and contribute to the programme.
In the final selection, the evaluation committee will also consider group composition and will strive to put together participants with greatest possibilities for dynamic exchange and learning, as well as for continued collaboration and networking.
3. Admission
SI will contact the selected applicants by email and offer them a place in the programme. SI will also compose a list of reserve candidates in case a second selection round is needed. Unfortunately, because of the large number of applicants to a limited number of seats, we have to turn down many highly qualified persons.
For more information please open this link
Apply Here
SI Leader Lab – Connecting pioneers in civil society
