Vital Voices Global Partnership

Global network and regional engagementglobal network and regional engagement (gnre) programs encompass regional fellowships and network initiatives that link thousands of pioneering women leaders and our allies in local communities and across borders to catalyze Global change. Gnre programs support country-specific programs and women-led civil society organizations around the world. Voices against violence: the gender based violence Global initiative: the Voices against violence: the gender based violence initiative is designed to ensure that survivors of gender-based violence (gbv) and harmful traditional practices around the world have better access to services, protection and the justice they deserve. The initiative implements comprehensive activities to address the following objectives: survivors of extreme forms of gbv have increased access to Global resources that allow them to address their urgent needs in the aftermath of violence or the threat of violence; survivors of gbv have improved protections and access to justice, and civil society organizations (csos) have access to resources to advocate on behalf of survivors; and an international network is established to serve as a focal point and coordinate efforts around gbv. Survivors may receive short-term assistance to support immediate, short-term needs in the aftermath of violence. The Voices against violence consortium also serves as a Global focal point for promoting awareness and advocating for gbv prevention and awareness working with other leading organizations. In 2022, Vital Voices provided urgent assistance to support more than 828 survivors of gbv worldwide and supported over 20,000 individuals through additional programming. Afghan women's fund: in 2021 through the emergency fund for afghan women, Vital Voices with their partner coalition worked together to evacuate and meet the critical needs of the most at-risk women leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, politicians; providing these women leaders and their families with mid-term support to address their urgent basic needs; and planning for their long-term resettlement. The response included the following actions:1) evacuations out of afghanistan coordinating efforts and collaborating in real-time with humanitarian organizations, governments, security, and many other partners to provide safe passage for afghan women and their families out of the country. This includes setting up safe houses, arranging secure transit and airport gate access, obtaining passports and e-visas, and other critical logistics. 2) immediate needs in transition locations working with governments and local organizations to meet the basic needs for evacuated women and their families in countries that have agreed to host them during this transition. We have activated our Global network of women leaders, and are working with local partners in albania, in pakistan, and other countries to address their basic critical needs such as shelter, food, clothing, childcare, healthcare, covid-19 prevention and treatment, psychosocial and trauma support, and other basic needs.3) long-term resettlement and ongoing support: coordinate on the long-term resettlement of afghan women and their families, providing the assistance, resources, and trusted networks needed to live full and prosperous lives, free from oppression. Vv will also work with these women leaders to be the voice for those who remain in afghanistan, keeping the fight for women's rights alive and amplifying their calls to action.to date vv has supported the evacuation of 1010 high-risk afghan women and their family members, of which around 900 have reached their final destination.global leadership awards honoree program: each year, Vital Voices hosts the Global leadership awards, honoring unsung heroes and courageous leaders working to strengthen democracy, increase economic opportunity and protect human rights in communities around the world. The Global leadership awards honoree program provides customized and tailored support that includes networking opportunities, capacity building and high profile thought-leadership events to give greater credibility and visibility to the honorees for the eight days they are in Washington, dc.

Issue advocacyissue advocacy programs include fellowships and initiatives that bridge challenges across key issue areas through innovative solutions grounded in collaborative partnerships. Through these programs, Vital Voices partners with leaders committed to strategic policy and collaborative advocacy aligned to leading Global standards and benchmarks accepted and embraced across sectors, borders, and other lines that often divide foremost among them at present, the united nation's sustainable development goals (sdgs). Vv engage: vv engage is a fellowship that provides technical skills and leadership development to outstanding women political leaders making and influencing policy across the globe. With the support of freeport-mcmoran, vv engage aims to increase the capacity, decision-making power, and effectiveness of women leaders in political life, shifting culture around women's public leadership and moving towards equality in public representation globally. We also aim to work towards a more inclusive and equitable world by advancing the un sustainable development goals (sdgs) through policy. In 2021 Vital Voices worked with the third cohort of vv engage fellows. The fellowship was anchored on the same foundations of skill-building, mentoring networks and practical training as past cohorts. The third cohort of fellows included 37 fellows from 30 countries. Due to covid-19 the fellowship was entirely online and new curriculum was implemented in response to the all-virtual format, for example, fellows participated in an intensive 6-week digital storytelling workshop. We also continued with monthly community check-ins to serve the entire vv engage community, including alumni. These check-ins allowed the fellows to engage with new trainings and networking opportunities and to continue to build the vv engage community. Voices against violence (vav) peace: the intergenerational fellowship on women, peace and security in south central europe, or peace fellowship, made possible by Voices against violence: the gender-based violence Global initiative (vav), is a year-long program that supports emerging and established women leaders working to address gender-based violence (gbv) in the countries of bosnia and herzegovina, croatia, kosovo and serbia. Through this fellowship, we aim to increase the capacity, collaboration, decision-making power and effectiveness of women leaders working on gbv across generations and sectors, and equipping them with the tools they need to advance women's rights through the women, peace, and security (wps) agenda. In 2021, a cohort of 16 peace fellows was selected, and fellows were onboarded and began a series of virtual trainings alongside peer-to-peer networking and in-country networking. Voices against violence (vav) fellowship: the vav fellowship is an innovative, cross-regional, one-year program engaging twenty fellows from ten civil-society organizations. The vav fellowship, offered in english and spanish, aims to advance the capacity and Global network of the selected community-based organizations combatting gender-based violence. The vav fellowship includes tailored trainings and promote peer-to-peer learning and exchanges among participants. Throughout the pilot year of the vav fellowship in 2021, fellows engaged in bi-weekly virtual gatherings, focused on gaining knowledge of innovative strategies to address systemic and institutional gaps in their region or country, as well as leadership development experience, grant-management skills, fundraising techniques, the capacity to establish and implement clear policies and procedures within their organization, and best practices for mitigating secondary trauma and supporting self-care efforts. The fellows developed proposals for subawards they will carry out after the final online engagements and gatherings in 2022. The 2021-2022 cohort met for the entirety of 2021 due to the covid-19 situation and consequent travel restrictions.global freedom exchange: capitalizing on the leadership and expertise of international leaders in the Vital Voices network, the Global freedom exchange (gfe), a hilton and Vital Voices Partnership, leverages leadership to end sex and labor trafficking. Over the lifespan of the program, gfe has developed an international network of activists working in the fields of advocacy, service provision, law enforcement, criminal justice, and public health from every region of the world. In 2021, in response to ongoing challenges of the covid-19 pandemic, Vital Voices built upon and strengthen the customized, virtual fellow support and grant offerings that initially emerged as creative, supportive solutions for programming in 2020 when the pandemic had downstream effects on violence and exploitation, as well as compounded obstacles to fellows' ability to address them. Virtual trainings addressed a myriad of capacity and skills-building topics, including legal considerations for ngo leaders, mentorship, mental health, meditation, and grant writing. Vital Voices also continued to support the essential efforts of gfe fellows through grant funding opportunities, through the continuation and expansion of gfe project grants as well as the launch of the inaugural gfe emergency fund grants.environmental justice curriculum: in 2021 Vital Voices partnered with the women's earth alliance to create a climate and gender action toolkit to provide leaders in all sectors the necessary tools, support, and networks to integrate climate and gender justice into their leadership practice. This toolkit offers leaders the opportunity to expand their knowledge around the climate emergency and women's unique position in the crisis, learn about proven climate justice strategies and mainstream climate and gender best practices, design a climate and gender action plan for their organizations and communities and build a network of support for their climate justice efforts.combatting gender-based violence (gbv) trainings: in 2021, leveraging avon relationships and support in combination with a grant from eurasia foundation, Vital Voices collaborated with local russian partners and the avon foundation for women in russia to organize, develop, and deliver four trainings at the intersection of youth and gbv for over 500 avon representatives across russia between march and june 2021. These trainings covered topics including, but not limited to: diverse forms and impact of violence (especially domestic violence), stereotypes of gender and masculinity, and youth-specific dynamics and considerations related to gbv. Participants engaged actively with the material presented, asking questions and responding positively to the calls for action from presenters. At the conclusion of these trainings, numerous participants indicated an interest in applying the lessons of the trainings to helping women in their communities.

Leadership and social impactleadership and social impact programs provide for capacity-building programming to inspire social impact through women's leadership and entrepreneurship. These holistic leadership building programs meet women leaders where they are, providing leadership development, mentoring and capacity building that is tailored to each leader's needs. Vv grow fellowship: the Vital Voices grow fellowship is a leading Global accelerator program for women owners of small and medium-sized businesses that are making a social impact. The program provides customized business skills training, leadership development, technical assistance, and access to networks and connections. Going into its 7th year in 2020, this program aimed to elevate women business leaders as drivers for economic growth and social change in their communities, countries and the world by helping them grow their businesses and expand their social impact. Through online trainings, fellows focus on long-term business strategy paired with action-oriented strategic plans to grow their businesses. They amplify their roles as leaders in their businesses and their communities' creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and producing wider social benefits. Through the program, participants gain knowledge and skills in strategic planning, financial management, marketing & sales, strategic networking, leadership, human resources and communications. They receive valuable technical assistance and support and become members of a valuable Global network of women business owners and the broader Vital Voices network of more than 20,000 of women leaders around the world. In 2021 Vital Voices worked with women owners of small and medium-sized businesses through the vv grow fellowship to help them set and achieve their business growth goals. During 2021, Vital Voices staff and trainers hosted weekly webinars covering financial management, strategic planning, leadership, human resources, marketing and sales, strategic networking and communication. As travel was not possible due to the pandemic, in lieu of an in-person training Vital Voices staff hosted a 3-day virtual conference in august on transformative leadership. Fellows had an opportunity to build a strong network of peer support, connect with partners, learn from experts and be inspired by members of the Vital Voices network. In 2021 the vv grow fellowship curriculum was uniquely tailored to the meet the needs of women business owners, particularly in light of the of the covid-19 pandemic and included modules on business continuity planning, resiliency planning and other relevant topics. Fellows also received access to sister circle support sessions and individualized connections throughout the course of the program. During the year, Vital Voices team members further refined a Global training curriculum and recruitment strategy for 2022. The we empower un sdg challenge was launched in 2018 and is the first of its kind Global business competition for women entrepreneurs who are advancing the un sustainable development goals and inspiring entire communities to act to create the world we want by 2030. In 2021, the we empower challenge awardees virtually participated in events surrounding the 76th un general assembly as well as connected with renowned business experts from around the world. Awardees also participated in a dynamic pitch competition, hosted by fashion designer, activist and Vital Voices board member diane von furstenberg, to present their business where the winner received a $20,000 grant. Voices that inspire: in 2018, with the support of p&g, Vital Voices launched a signature program, Voices that inspire (voces que inspiran / vozes que inspiram), to support young women who are dedicated to making a positive impact in argentina, brazil, costa rica, guatemala, mexico and panama. We aim to increase the opportunity, leadership capacity, network and funding resources to unleash the leadership potential of young women around the world; sparking a Global movement to empower young women, create sustainable change, and transform the meaning of leadership. In 2021, Vital Voices welcomed a new cohort of 30 Voices that inspire grantees who were all eligible to apply for social impact funds to amplify their grassroots projects.the rajendra impact fund: the rajendra foundation social impact fund incubates young women leader's big, bold, untested ideas. By providing grants to young women leaders, the rajendra foundation is creating a cultural shift to invest in and amplify the ideas of young women, further unlocking their leadership potential.the rajendra foundation social impact fund provides grants to innovative young women leaders (18-25) from the rising Voices network in the united states, canada, and mexico who are making strides to creatively address the issues of child poverty, vulnerability, food insecurity, climate justice and/or systemic inequality. Grant recipients may use a variety of approaches including the arts, science and technology, healthcare and advocacy. Recipients may use the funding for their own personal leadership growth to address the issues or for their organizations that address the issues.in 2021, the rajendra foundation social impact fund benefited 9 women from the united states and mexico.google impact fund: in march 2021, Vital Voices, along with project everyone, joined forces with google.org to launch their $25 million google impact challenge for women and girls. This year, Vital Voices reviewed the 7,800 applications received from around the world, which called for organizations to submit their boldest and most innovative ideas to create a more equitable economic reality for women and girls. Over half of Vital Voices staff reviewed applications for the first two stages of the application process and conducted over 140 interviews for the final stage of selection. On november 8th, google.org announced the 34 organizations selected to receive funding. In 2022, Vital Voices will continue to work alongside google's accelerator program to provide training, mentorship and a network to help amplify and advance these leaders and their projects. Vital Voices will also offer the Vital Voices leadership journey to women leaders of the 34 organizations helping to bolster their leadership development.global ambassadors program: the Global ambassadors program (gap) is a multi-year Partnership with bank of america, in which women leaders who are at a tipping point in their professional, business, and leadership paths (mentees) receive mentorship, training, and opportunities for visibility from Global ambassadors (mentors) who are Global leaders in the business, non-profit, government and social enterprise sectors, thus accelerating women's leadership and economic empowerment throughout the world. Since 2012, the gap has served a total of 352 women from 85 countries, made up of 170 Global ambassadors from 31 countries, mentoring 182 mentees from 65 countries. The mentees are women leaders of small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations tackling some of the world's most critical challenges, such as climate change and addressing the united nations sustainable development goals, while boosting their economies and creating positive social impact. In 2021, Vital Voices organized a total of 12 zoom calls connecting with past program mentees and Global ambassadors providing the opportunity for thought leadership and peer-sharing as the world continues to pivot amid the covid-19 pandemic. Fortune: the fortune u.s. department of state Global women's mentoring Partnership is a public-private Partnership between fortune most powerful women, the u.s. department of state, and Vital Voices Global Partnership. The program draws on the expertise of america's most accomplished leaders to enhance the business and leadership skills of international women professionals. During the program, mentees engage in skills trainings, panel discussions, networking events, and a mentorship program with top women executives and their teams. Past mentors have come from america's most prestigious companies, such as cvs health, johnson & johnson, aig, and accenture. From this program, mentees gain critical business and leadership skills and the inspiration to pay it forward, accelerating positive change in their home communities. In its 17th year, the program includes 351 alumnae from 58 countries and territories.

The crisis response programs, implemented in 2022, assists women leaders to be better prepared and respond to incidents and crises that put their work and well-being at risk of disruption or threat. The program provides training and mentorship for women leaders to improve their knowledge and practices for responding to crisis situations. It also provides direct assistance to women leaders in times of crisis that may include funding for legal support, relocation, mental health counseling and other services.

Global engagement and public awareness