The End FGM Advocacy and Leadership Scholarship Programme is a cohort-based capacity-building initiative designed to support emerging and established activists working to eliminate female genital mutilation and other forms of gender based violence.

The programme combines financial support, practical training, peer learning, and coordinated action. Scholars receive a modest financial scholarship alongside structured learning, mentorship, and participation in a global activist network coordinated by our organization.

The programme is designed to strengthen grassroots leadership, amplify survivor centred narratives, and translate advocacy into measurable, on the ground impact.

The Scholarship Programme aims to:

• Build a new generation of skilled, ethical, and trauma informed leaders working to end FGM

• Strengthen local organizations and informal activist networks

• Improve the quality and effectiveness of advocacy, messaging, and engagement with leaders

• Support survivor centred, culturally grounded approaches to prevention and accountability

• Create a coordinated global and local feedback loop between activists and our organization

• Scale impact through train the trainer models and shared learning

Each selected scholar will receive:

• A financial scholarship of 1,000 USD to support their activism, project work, or organizational capacity

• Participation in a cohort-based leadership and advocacy programme

• Access to expert-led training sessions and practical tools

• Ongoing coordination, communication, and amplification through our organization

• Opportunities to contribute to campaigns, media, and global advocacy efforts

The initial cohort size will be determined by funds raised through crowdfunding, with the intention to expand over time.

Applicants may be individuals or representatives of grassroots or civil society organizations.

Eligible applicants should:

• Be actively involved in efforts to prevent or respond to FGM or gender based violence

• Demonstrate strong ties to local communities or affected populations

• Show commitment to survivor centred and rights based approaches

• Be willing to participate fully in cohort activities and reporting

• Commit to sharing learning and training others within their communities

Priority may be given to applicants based in countries and cities where there is a high prevalence of FGM.

The programme will run over approximately three to four months and include:

• Virtual cohort sessions conducted live or asynchronously

• Optional in-person or hybrid workshops where feasible

• Peer learning and collaboration across countries and regions

• Ongoing communication through shared digital platforms

Scholars will participate in practical learning modules including:

Leadership and Ethical Activism

• Values based leadership

• Movement building and coalition work

• Safeguarding and accountability

Understanding FGM and Legal Frameworks

• Human rights and child protection frameworks

• National and international legal approaches to FGM

• Roles of policymakers, law enforcement, and justice systems

Community Engagement and Customer Discovery

• Listening to communities and leaders with empathy

• Understanding beliefs, incentives, and resistance

• Testing messages before scaling outreach

Survivor Centred Storytelling and Media

• Trauma-informed communication

• Video interviews and narrative development

• Protecting anonymity and consent

• Using stories to reduce stigma and promote accountability

Communications, Media, and Social Platforms

• Strategic use of social media and influencers

• Engaging journalists and media outlets

• Designing local and global awareness campaigns

Case Work and Impact Measurement

• Basic case documentation principles

• Safeguarding and confidentiality

• Defining and reporting impact responsibly

Scholar-Activists will be expected to:

• Participate actively in all programme sessions

• Develop and implement a local action or advocacy initiative

• Share regular updates and reflections with the cohort and organizers

• Contribute learnings, challenges, and successes for collective analysis

• Train or mentor others where appropriate

Our organization will:

• Provide programme coordination and facilitation

• Offer tools, templates, and learning resources

• Amplify scholar work through campaigns and communications

• Collect lessons learned and evaluate impact across cohorts

• Maintain a growing network of alumni and partners

A small steering group or secretariat may be established to guide programme development, learning, and accountability.

The initial scholarships will be funded through a public crowdfunding campaign focused on supporting grassroots leadership to end FGM.

Donors will be able to:

• Fund individual scholarships

• Support cohort wide activities and resources

• Receive updates on scholar progress and impact

Over time, the program may expand through partnerships, repeat crowdfunding, and institutional funding.

The End FGM Advocacy and Leadership Scholarship Program is intended to evolve into a global pipeline of trained activists, advocates, and community leaders.

• Over time, the programme will:

• Support thousands of activists

• Strengthen local and national movements

• Influence policy, practice, and social norms

• Help ensure that the elimination of FGM is sustained across generations