OVERVIEW
The VV Venture (Social Entrepreneurship) Pillar equips purpose-driven women entrepreneurs leading for-profit businesses with social impact with the skills, tools, and strategies to strengthen their value proposition, expand their influence, amplify their impact and success. This pillar is designed for social entrepreneurs who are ready to refine their market positioning, enhance stakeholder engagement, and effectively communicate their impact while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Fellows will gain critical business expertise in storytelling, branding, marketing, and strategic communication, while developing targeted strategies to attract key stakeholders and drive systemic change.
What Fellows Will Gain:
- Refine their value proposition by crafting impactful messaging that strengthens market positioning and stakeholder engagement.
- Develop targeted strategies to attract funders, partners, and customers, clearly communicating their social impact and long-term vision.
- Enhance storytelling and communication skills to craft compelling narratives that showcase their mission, impact, and SDG alignment.
- Integrate storytelling into branding, marketing, and fundraising efforts to enhance visibility and credibility.
- Learn essential business growth strategies to support market positioning and impact measurement.
Applications for the 2025 Vital Voices Global Fellowship are due April 15th, 2025. Please use this link to complete your application.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Hold a key decision-making role in a legally registered, for-profit, purpose-driven business that advances the SDGs.
- Generate a minimum annual revenue of $100,000 USD with at least three full-time paid employees (or the equivalent) and a minimum of two years in business.
- Exhibit clear business growth and impact potential, such as expanding market reach, increasing revenue, scaling operations, or strengthening social impact outcomes.
- Commit to leading the business with no plans for a near-term exit.
- Demonstrate commitment to developing their leadership, collaboration and advancing the SDGs.
Program Expectations
Fellows commit to the following:
- Attend all virtual trainings from June 2025 to March 2026 and complete all required program components.
- Virtual sessions are typically 60-90 minutes each, held between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM US EST, with 2-3 virtual sessions per month.
- Engage in additional community gathering, peer exchanges, and program staff check-ins as required.
- Dedicate an average of 4-6 hours per month to program participation.
- Attend the in-person convening in the third quarter of 2025 (exact location and dates TBC).
- Complete mid and post-program impact surveys up to three years after the fellowship.
The VV Venture pillar is highly selective, and shortlisted candidates may be asked to participate in a 30-min virtual interview. All applicants will be notified about final decisions by April 15th, 2025. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
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