The Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program 2026 for young feminist activists.

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Application Deadline:  26 June, 2026.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program. The Sister-to-Sister program brings together young feminist leaders — sisters — in an intensive virtual program which fosters crucial solidarity, support, sisterhood, and skills-building to better equip activists for the challenges ahead. This year’s program theme is:

“Peace in the Age of AI: Building Feminist Futures.” 

Building on the work of NWI Nobel Laureates — particularly Maria Ressa, whose journalism and advocacy have been at the forefront of defending truth, accountability and democratic space in the digital age — the 2026 Sister-to-Sister cohort will move from analysis to action. 

Twenty five young, feminist activists will take part in a 6-week intensive virtual learning program from 24 August to 28 September 2026. The program is designed to: 

• Broaden understanding of how artificial intelligence is reshaping power, conflict, peace — and the specific ways these technologies impact women and feminist movements. 
• Build knowledge and critical analysis of AI-driven disinformation, digital security threats, autonomous weapons, and the gendered dimensions of emerging technology. 
• Strengthen tools and strategies for navigating the digital information ecosystem, including digital safety, counter-disinformation tactics and adaptive feminist leadership. 
• Explore how AI can be leveraged to advance feminist peacebuilding — from amplifying women-led movements, to strengthening early warning systems and expanding access to justice. 
• Enhance collective learning and peer exchange by deepening mutual trust, sisterhood, and solidarity among young women activists confronting intersecting challenges. 
• Deepen feminist networks for support and collective action and through this network build resilience and long-term capacity for change.  

Requirements

• Passion for and some experience in supporting feminist peacebuilding, women’s rights, digital rights, and/or feminist social justice movements as volunteers, professionals, or activists. 
• Drive and potential to be an impactful feminist leader within local contexts. 
• Able to effectively engage in English. 
• Willing and able to commit to full participation in at least 80% of live, cohort-wide sessions. 
• Candidates must be between 18–35 years old. 
• Trans and non-binary activists are encouraged to apply. 

Selection Criteria

• Global representation.
  • Applicants from East Africa and the following countries are highly encouraged to apply:  Philippines, Liberia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iran, Iraq, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Colombia, Haiti, Ukraine, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. 
• Diversity of socio-political contexts. 
• Diversity of backgrounds. 
• Previous involvement in peace processes, digital rights advocacy, journalism, or technology governance — particularly in relation to YPS and WPS agendas, UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 implementation, and peace negotiations/mediation — is preferred but not mandatory. 
• Experience working on feminist approaches to technology, AI governance, counter-disinformation, digital security, autonomous weapons, and/or gender and media is an advantage. 
• Candidates who aspire to become a leader / become a strengthened leader as a result of engagement in this experience and growth of their support and solidarity network.
  • Candidates who aspire to strengthen their leadership in navigating and shaping the digital and AI landscape through a feminist lens, and who are eager to grow their networks of solidarity and support, are highly encouraged to apply. 
  • Individuals with ambitions to broaden or elevate their political leadership capabilities are highly encouraged to apply.  

Application Process

To be considered, candidate applications are due before 11:59pm ET, on 26 June, 2026. Applications should include: 

• A personal letter or video (max 2 minutes or 1 page) outlining how the candidate has been contributing to feminist peace, digital rights, social and/or environmental justice; the primary challenges in their context (contextually / personally / professionally); and how they hope the program will benefit them and their work. 
• Current resume, with up to date, detailed experience (paid, volunteer, academic). 
• Reference letter from a feminist peace, social or digital rights activist or organization, with contact details for follow up. 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program