The EU-LAC Foundation is launching the EU-LAC Bi-regional School of Local Political Leadership for Women 2026, a blended training, exchange, and networking programme for women leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union. The programme combines preparatory virtual sessions with an intensive in-person meeting in Panama in October 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: EU-LAC Bi-regional School of Local Political Leadership for Women 2026
Category: Leadership School
Host: EU-LAC Foundation
Location: Panama
Format: Blended format with virtual sessions and an in-person meeting
Programme Dates: October 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, 24 July 2026, 23:59 CEST – Germany time
Funding Status: Scholarships available for selected participants unable to cover travel, accommodation, food, and local transport through third-party funding
Eligible Applicants: Young women and senior women leaders meeting the stated profile and documentation requirements
About the EU-LAC Leadership School for Women in Local Politics
The EU-LAC Leadership School for Women in Local Politics 2026 is the second edition of a bi-regional initiative promoted through the EU-LAC Women’s International Network under the auspices of the EU-LAC Foundation. The programme is designed as a space for training, exchange, and political coordination among local women leaders.
Its purpose is to strengthen women’s political leadership at the municipal and community level. The School uses a feminist, intersectional, and human rights-based approach, with a focus on practical tools, intergenerational exchange, and network building.
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Programme Purpose and Format
The School aims to support women leaders who are working in local political, community, and social spaces. It focuses on strengthening leadership and advocacy capacities while promoting cooperation between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union.
The programme follows a blended format. It includes pre-event online sessions and an intensive in-person gathering in Panama. The virtual component will include three sessions of 1.5 hours each during the first half of October, while the in-person activities are expected to begin from 17 October 2026.
Training Themes and Learning Areas
The programme is designed to help participants reflect on political leadership from a local, feminist, and human rights perspective. It connects community experience with practical leadership tools.
Confirmed learning areas include:
✓ Local political leadership
✓ Strategic communication
✓ Negotiation
✓ Fundraising
✓ Local advocacy
✓ Public management
✓ Feminist negotiation tools
✓ Digital security
✓ Team management
✓ Prevention of political violence against women
✓ Self-care and sustainability of leadership
The in-person phase will also support participants in developing personal and collective roadmaps that can help apply the learning after the School.
What Selected Participants Receive
The official call confirms that selected candidates who state in their application form that they cannot cover the costs through third-party funding may receive support from the EU-LAC Foundation.
Confirmed scholarship support may include:
✓ Direct purchase of travel tickets
✓ Hotel reservation
✓ Food stipend
✓ Local transport stipend during the in-person component in Panama
This support applies during the days when the in-person part of the Leadership School takes place in Panama.
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Who Can Apply?
The call identifies two applicant profiles: young women and senior women leaders. Both profiles require proof of membership in a network, programme, organisation, or institution, along with a letter of support endorsing the application.
Young women applicants are expected to show interest in territorial political leadership. This may be through formal spaces such as local councils or local governments, or informal spaces such as feminist collectives, community organisations, or neighbourhood networks.
Senior women leaders should have a consolidated track record in political or community processes. They should also show proven capacity to create impact in their communities, municipalities, or local areas.
Eligibility and Participation Expectations
Applicants should be ready to take part in the full programme process, including the preparatory modules, the in-person meeting in Panama, and follow-up activities.
Key eligibility and profile points include:
• Young women must demonstrate interest in local political leadership.
• Senior women leaders must show experience in territorial political leadership.
• Applicants must provide proof of membership in a relevant network, programme, organisation, or institution.
• Applicants must submit a letter of support or endorsement.
• Applicants should show willingness to share experiences and learn from other territorial contexts.
• Applicants should have an active link to the EU-LAC WIN Network or interest in joining it.
• Selected participants will be expected to participate in follow-up activities until October 2027.
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Required Application Documents
Application documents must be written in Spanish or English. The official call requires the documentation to be submitted in PDF or MS Word format.
Applicants must prepare:
• Signed application form
• Proof of membership in a network, programme, organisation, or institution
• Letter of support or endorsement from a person, network, organisation, or institution
Incomplete applications and applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
How to Submit an Application
Applications should be sent to the attention of Dr Anna Barrera at the EU-LAC Foundation. The official page provides the email address for submissions and enquiries.
Applicants should use the following subject line:
• EU-LAC Women’s Political Leadership School 2026 + Applicant’s Name
Applications received within the deadline and meeting the eligibility requirements will be considered for evaluation.
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Selection and Results
The EU-LAC Foundation expects an internal selection committee to systematise and evaluate the applications. The official page states that the response period is expected to be approximately three weeks.
Applicants are asked not to contact the Foundation about their application during this period. The EU-LAC Foundation will communicate with all applicants exclusively by email.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, 24 July 2026, at 23:59 CEST – Germany time. Applications received after the established deadline will not be accepted.
Apply Here
Read the official announcement carefully and follow the stated application instructions.
