Deadline: March 10, 2022.

FUTURE RISING uses storytelling to highlight the important connections between girls’ education and climate change. The year-long, virtual Fellowship program provides financial assistance and professional development for a cohort of 10 young leaders between 17-24 who are working on storytelling projects at the intersection of gender equity and climate change or environmental justice. During their tenure, Fellows complete a narrative project that highlights their work, or that tells the story of girls or women who are innovating and working to address the impacts of climate change and environmental injustice.

This year, the Fellowship will focus around two specific areas – FOOD AND WATER SECURITY or LOCAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS. This means that applicants should propose narrative/storytelling projects focused on one or other of these two areas.

ELIGIBILITY

• You are from anywhere in the world.
• You are between the ages of 17 – 24.
• You are committed, creative, collaborative and motivated.
• You are a storyteller who is passionate about gender equity and climate justice OR you are a climate activist/conservationist/educator/community organizer with a story to tell about girls’ education, gender equity and climate justice.
• You are working on a project that harnesses the power of educated girls and women to build climate resilience in a community OR you are telling a story about empowered girls and women leading efforts to build sustainability and resilience where they live.
• You are able to commit to the Fellowship’s schedule (see details in application materials).
• You have access to the internet in order to attend regular virtual convenings, and communicate with the Future Rising Staff and other Fellows.

ELIGIBILE STORIES

• Stories about girls and women leading local efforts to address impacts of climate change.
• Stories that highlight indigenous knowledge and nature-based solutions.
• Stories about girls and women who are innovating or leading in their communities to secure food and water.
• Stories that highlight issues around environmental justice and access to food and water – in either rural OR urban settings.
• Stories that highlight local climate crisis issues in either rural OR urban settings.
• Stories that surface indirect or hidden connections between food and water scarcity and the lives of girls – particularly harmful gendered norms like child marriage.
• Stories about the ripple effects of food and water insecurity.
• Stories about the specific impacts of local climate change on girls and women.

BENEFITS

Each fellow will receive a stipend of $5,000 and can apply for a small additional grant for direct project expenses and materials.

During their year-long Fellowship, they:

• Receive financial, professional, and creative support
• Join a growing global community 
• Participate in monthly convenings and storytelling workshops
• Create narrative work about gender equity and climate change

OFFICIAL LINK