Global nonprofit Rise Up will select a group of 25 local civil society leaders from South Africa to participate in our in-person Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator training program to advance gender equity and justice from May 5-10, 2025.

Visionary leaders, of minimum 18 years of age at the time of the training (May 2025) that are based in Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng provinces are eligible to apply. Newly selected leaders in South Africa will join our network of over 800 leaders who have successfully advocated for 218 new and improved laws and policies, positively impacting 160 million people globally.

Rise Up will competitively award grants of $17,000 USD to participating leaders and their organizations and encourage those working on gender-based violence and located in peri-urban areas to apply.

Use the link below to apply

APPLY NOW

Application Deadline: February 4, 2025

Rise Up has developed an innovative hybrid—virtual and in-person—model that integrates intensive capacity building, leadership development, project funding, and technical support to ensure the leaders can launch advocacy strategies to advance education, health, and economic opportunity for women, girls, and gender nonconforming people in South Africa. For more information, please contact South Africa Country Representative Rethabile Mphutlane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Learn more about the Rise Up Leadership Cohort in South Africa
• Selection Criteria
• Frequently Asked Questions