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Leadership programs

National Leadership Development Program

An intensive leadership development program for 20 women each year including:

  • A series of online sessions held over several months
  • Two residential retreats (four days each + travel) in country Victoria (COVID dependent)
  • A personal mentoring relationship with an experienced environmental leader, tailored to your needs
  • Collaborative fundraising to build skills, equity, networks and confidence; and to support the program delivery
  • Online connection to participants and WELA’s growing network across Australia
  • Comprehensive resources and materials

Who it's for

Women and gender diverse people actively working (paid or unpaid) for the environment or climate, who are looking to take the next step in their leadership. This includes women working in the not-for-profit, government or business sectors, as well as unpaid volunteers. 

Applicants are selected based on their application and their fit within a diverse cohort from across the country. If your application hasn’t been successful in the past, we welcome it again. 

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, trans women and gender diverse people, women from working class backgrounds, with disability, and those living in remote, rural or regional Australia.

Duration

9 month program featuring online sessions and two retreats (four days each + travel) and a mentoring program. The 2022 program will commence in May 2022.

Applications close Monday 14th Feb 2022.

Pricing

Full Fee – $5500 (includes GST)

Partial Subsidy – $2950 (includes GST) 

Full scholarships are available 

Program fees cover all costs associated with participation in the program and its residential workshops. The fee includes travel costs from wherever you are in Australia, all food and lodging for the two retreats, and all materials, course time and mentoring time. We prefer if you are able to pay as soon as your application is accepted, but are also open to installment payments throughout the year.

More information

Download the program info pack here.

Come along to our online information session. Tuesday 1st February 2022 7pm-8pm AEDT. Register Here

How to apply

Applications for the 2022 program will open in late November 2021. Complete the online application form by Monday 14th February, 2022.

Apply now!

In your application, please:

  • Tell us why you would like to participate
  • Include your experience and what you’re looking for from the program
  • Upload a current CV and provide two referees to support your application
  • Tell us your preferred payment option or whether you are seeking scholarship support

WELA Weekends

Tailored 3 or 4 day retreats for between 15 and 25 women from within the same geographic community. Depending on your requirements, the retreat can include:

  • A 3 to 4 day in-person retreat at a local facility, connected to nature
  • Facilitated workshops, presentations and panel discussions tailored to the needs of your community
  • An opportunity to develop your own leadership, while forming deep connections and relationships with other women environmental leaders in your region or community
  • Online connection to participants and WELA’s growing network across Australia
  • Comprehensive resources and materials

Who it's for

Women and gender diverse people in regional, local or state-based communities across Australia, actively working (paid or unpaid) for the environment or climate, who are looking to take the next step in leadership. This includes women working in the not-for-profit, government or business sectors, as well as unpaid volunteers.

If your community could benefit from a WELA program, please get in touch with us to discuss options. 

Become a Partner

If your community could benefit from a WELA Weekend regional program, please get in touch to discuss collaboration opportunities. We’re currently exploring program options in partnership with state-based conservation organisations, local government authorities and a regional university.

Queensland Weekend 2022 - Info and Application

This first edition of the WELA Weekends regional programs, called the WELA Weekend — Queensland Program 2022 is designed to develop your skills, self-reflection,  support and networks to take the next steps in your leadership for a better future. This four day retreat is a new opportunity based on the successful WELA National Leadership program and developed in partnership with the Queensland Conservation Council.

While the National Leadership Program is a 9 month program, the WELA Weekends regional programs are a deep dive into the main program content adapted to a short period of time. If you’ve ever thought about applying to WELA but haven’t been able to commit to the full annual program, this shorter experience could be just what you need.

The  WELA Weekends — Queensland Program 2022 will take place from May 5th to 9th 2022.

The deadline for applications extended until Friday 11th March 2022.  

Download the info pack

Apply here!

Get in touch

Scholarships and help

Our fundraising supplements our program running costs to keep prices lower and we provide a range of full and partial scholarships, which you can read about here.

We also don’t want anyone to miss out on applying for our programs for other reasons. If you find working on a computer difficult or face other barriers, please email us on info@wela.org.au so we can arrange to talk it through.

Contact us

WELA Alumnae Testimonials

  • “After 17 years in the union movement, I’m new coming to this space. Without WELA I’m not sure how my first year in this incredible, diverse, complex and important movement would have turned out. The women who run and participate in this course all have so much to offer and I am grateful for the opportunity to have met them all and to now have them in my life-long journey in this movement.”

     

    Maria Cirillo
    Alumna WELA 2017

  • “WELA is playing a crucial role in transforming the environment movement to be a stronger, more successful force to face the increasing challenges in creating a sustainable future. The wealth of knowledge and experience of the WELA reference group is being carefully passed on to the current generation of present and emerging women leaders to ensure we know and build on our own strengths, learn from those who have gone before us, benefiting our campaigns and causes. The WELA retreats are a perfect balance of new content, tools, lessons as well as space to reflect, try new things, strategise, learn, grow and build community. I’m leaving WELA not just as a more leaderful change agent but one with a powerful network of inspiring, supportive women for years to come.”

     

    Teryn Crick
    Alumna WELA 2018

  • “My WELA sisters have been with me as I navigate life in parliament and post-politics. The facilitators and various cohorts have formed such a strong and supportive community. It is the kind of love and inspiration that keeps each of us paying it forward as activists.”

     

    Huong Truong
    Alumna WELA 2017 at the WELA 2019 Gathering

  • “It is fantastic to stake stock, one year since my WELA fellowship. To recognise the Council policy and funding implementation wins we have had that WELA gave me the ambition and boldness to strive for. As well as the support systems and campaign collaborations that have been set up to further deep and long term life affirming change. I went from doubting myself and feeling paralysed by overwhelm and frayed by the diversity of issues, to focus my campaign strategy and actions. I’ve also been able to recognise my unique and genuine gifts as a leader.”

     

    Cath Blakley
    Alumna WELA 2018 at the WELA 2019 Gathering