Fellowship FAQ page
What is the Women Leading Locally Fellowship Program?
The Women Leading Locally fellowship program is an initiative of the Victorian Government delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia in partnership with Women for Election. The program aims to increase the representation of women councillors and mayors in Victoria by supporting 125 women from 31 target municipalities through two Women Leading Locally fellowships.
60 fellowships were offered in 2022, and a further 65 will be offered in 2023.
How much does it cost to participate in the Women Leading Locally Fellowship program?
There is no cost to enrol in the program. All costs associated with the compulsory, in-person “kick-off” seminar are also included, and a hardship fund is available to support costs associated with travelling to the celebration event at the end of the program.
Are there any out-of-pocket costs involved?
All costs associated with the compulsory, in-person “kick-off” seminar are included and a hardship fund is available to support costs associated with travelling to the celebration event at the end of the program.
What are the compulsory elements of the program?
The program will commence with a compulsory, in-person 5-hour seminar to be held in Melbourne on Saturday 17 June 2023.
The seminar will provide a course outline and introduction, mentoring introduction and commence the building of networks. The following nine months will include ten interactive online Masterclass sessions which build campaigning skills and a strong network. Eight of these Masterclass sessions are compulsory and two are optional. However, to gain the Certificate in Community Leadership and Governance (Local Government) Fellows must attend all ten sessions. The Masterclass sessions take place via Zoom on Wednesday evenings (6:30pm start) between 12th July 2023 and 17th April 2024, in the evenings
What does the program involve? What will I learn?
The program will commence with a 5-hour in-person seminar combining course outline and introduction, mentoring introduction and building networks. The following nine months will include ten online interactive Masterclass sessions which build campaigning skills and build a strong network. Masterclasses are specialist sessions designed to build skills and knowledge which will be critical to support running for election. The program will include regular mentoring circles with co-participants after completing the masterclasses, and a celebration event in May 2023 and May 2024. Please see the FAQ regarding time commitment for specific dates and times.
What is the celebration event?
Successful applicants for the Women Leading Locally fellowship program will be invited to attend the annual Communities in Control conference in 2023 and 2024.
The 2023 conference is taking place on May 29 and 30 in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne. Participants will receive a free ticket to the event. The conference will serve as an optional opportunity for fellows to meet the participants from the first cohort of the fellowship program and be inspired by conference speakers.
The 2024 conference will provide an opportunity to reflect on the program and celebrate graduation. Details for the 2024 conference, including dates and speakers, will be announced in early 2024.
Will I receive any accreditation or certification?
The “Community Leader Fellowship” is a program of Masterclasses and mentoring to support women with the skills and networks to run a successful campaign for local government election. The “Certificate in Community Leadership and Governance (Local Government)” will be awarded to those who have attended the compulsory elements of the program and any preparation for sessions which has been required to gain certification. The certificate recognises the skills developed in the program, which can be applied in many areas of community leadership.
What time commitment is required of fellows? Where can I find the program and course content?
Fellows must attend the face-to-face kickoff event in Melbourne and least eight of the 10 online workshops (allow two to three hours per workshop).
- Wednesday 12th July 2023 at 6.30pm: Values led leadership and power
- Wednesday 26th July 2023 at 6.30pm: Governance for Local Government
- Wednesday 16th August 2023 at 6.30pm: Equipping for campaigning #1
- Wednesday 13th September 2023 at 6.30pm: Equipping for campaigning #2
- Wednesday 18th October 2023 at 6.30pm: Navigating difficult conversations
- Wednesday 29th November 2023 at 6.30pm: Halfway check in
- Wednesday 7th February 2024 at 6.30pm: Traditional and social media upskilling
- Wednesday 6th March 2024 at 6.30pm: Self-advocacy
- Wednesday 27th March 2024 at 6.30pm: Candid conversations
- Wednesday 17th April 2024 at 6.30pm: Ready for lift off
We also strongly encourage Fellows to attend the celebratory event in May 2024 in Melbourne. More details will be provided closer to the time. A hardship fund is available for those who need help to cover the costs of travelling to Melbourne for the celebration event.
Some Masterclass sessions require preparation prior to attending and follow up reading to gain the certificate.
Of course, you will also need to devote time to preparing for and running your election campaign in the lead-up to the October 2024 elections.
Who is overseeing and delivering the fellowship?
The fellowship is administered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia, with speciality content and mentoring provided by Women for Election, a non-partisan not-for-profit with a mission to inspire and equip more women to run for public office. Other key partners, including non-partisan organisations Orijen and Politics in Colour, will assist in delivering key components such as mentoring and campaign skills.
Program design and delivery is informed by a specially convened reference group comprising women from diverse backgrounds who understand the barriers placed before many women aspiring to public office.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship program?
The program targets applications from women living in the council areas where women were most under-represented at the October 2020 local government elections, including urban, regional and rural locations across Victoria (see list below). Casey and Whittlesea City Councils are also included in 2023 to support their return to elected council in 2024.
It also welcomes applications from women from all ages and backgrounds - First Nations women, women who live with disability, women from diverse cultural backgrounds and LGBTQI+ women – are all especially encouraged to apply. The key requirement is that you have a passion for your local community.
You must be eligible to stand for election for a local council in Victoria in October 2024 – see eligibility requirements here.
You must also be able to demonstrate how you fulfill our two key assessment criteria:
- Motivation and interest in running for local government
- Demonstrated community leadership experience and/or potential
- Passion for and understanding of your local community
You must be willing and able to commit to the full 12-month fellowship, which includes some face to face (in Melbourne) and some online components, as shown in the FAQ above.
You must be eligible to stand for election in October 2024 in one of the 31 target municipalities listed below. First Nations women are welcome to apply from any municipality across Victoria.
- Ararat (Rural City)
- Bass Coast (Shire)
- Baw Baw (Shire)
- Benalla (Rural City)
- Buloke (Shire)
- Campaspe (Shire)
- Cardinia (Shire)
- Casey (City)
- Colac Otway (Shire)
- East Gippsland (Shire)
- Frankston (City)
- Gannawarra (Shire)
- Glen Eira (City)
- Glenelg (Shire)
- Golden Plains (Shire)
- Greater Geelong (City)
- Hume (City)
- Mansfield (Shire)
- Mildura (Rural City)
- Mount Alexander (Shire)
- Moyne (Shire)
- Northern Grampians (Shire)
- Pyrenees (Shire)
- Swan Hill (Rural City)
- Towong (Shire)
- Wangaratta (Rural City)
- Wellington (Shire)
- West Wimmera (Shire)
- Whittlesea (City)
- Wodonga (Rural City)
- Wyndham (City)
Can I still apply if I’m not in one of the 31 priority local government areas?
You must be eligible to run for local government election in the 31 priority municipalities above, unless you identify as First Nations, in which case, you must be eligible to run for election in any municipality across Victoria.
How many fellowships will be awarded?
60 fellowships were offered to women from diverse backgrounds across the 30 target municipalities in 2022, and a further 65 will be offered across 31 target councils in 2023.
What if unforeseen circumstances arise?
Please contact [email protected] with “Women Leading Locally Fellowship” in the subject line to request support at an early stage if you are facing challenges when participating in the program. You will also participate in a check-in session halfway through the masterclass program, with an opportunity to share any concerns you have.
How do I apply?
You will be able to apply for the 2023 program on or after 6th March 2023. The application form will be available via this page. It has questions requiring your contact details, tick box questions about your background as well as open ended questions to allow you to share your passion for your community and your leadership goals. The form will take approximately 1-2 hours to fill in. You can save the form to return to later.
Applications close on 14 April 2023.
If you experience any trouble accessing or completing the application form, please contact [email protected] with “Women Leading Locally Fellowship Application” in the subject line.
When do applications open?
Applications for the 2023 program are scheduled to open on 6 March 2023, and close on 14 April 2023. The 2023 program will commence on 17 June 2023 with a compulsory face-to-face event in Melbourne.
Applications for the 2022 program have closed.
What if I can’t complete the fellowship?
We will support you to the best of our abilities to complete the program. However, if you are in doubt about your ability to participate fully in and complete the program, please reconsider your application. The aim of the program is to support as many women as possible to stand for council election in 2024 so we want to keep as many fellowship places as possible for those who are confident of their ability to finish the course and carry the lessons through to the elections.
How do I apply?
You will be able to apply on, or after 6 March 2023 via this page. The form has open ended questions and will take you approximately 1-2 hours to fill in. You can save the form to return to later.
If you experience any issues accessing or competing the application form, please contact [email protected] with "Women Leading Locally Fellowship Application" in the subject line.
What are the key dates?
Applications for the 2023 program open on 6 March 2023 and close on 14 April 2023. No extensions are possible.
Fellowship offers will be made during the first week of May (1-5).
Successful applicants will need to enrol by 16 May 2023.
The 2023 program commences with a compulsory ‘kick-off’ event in Melbourne on 17 June.
Masterclasses commence on 12 July.
What is the Fellowship selection process?
Applications will be assessed by an independent non-partisan panel, who will consider the applicant’s ability to fulfil the following key selection criteria
- Location of the applicant in one of the 31 target municipalities (we aim to have representation from all 31 municipalities*), noting that First Nations women may apply from any municipality across Victoria.
- Diversity of applicants (we aim to ensure the fellowship group reflects the diversity of the community in all its glory).
- Motivation and interest in running for local government
- Demonstrated community leadership experience and/or potential
- Passion for and understanding of your local community
*Please note we may cap places per LGA based on applications received
The recommended shortlist is subject to approval by Local Government Victoria.
Offering a fellow place is at the complete discretion of Local Government Victoria. There is no appeals process.
I have questions! Who can answer them?
Please email [email protected] and put "Women Leading Locally Fellowship Application" in the subject line.