The Women Leading Locally program aims to increase the representation of women councillors and mayors in Victoria by supporting 120 women from 30 target municipalities through two Community Leadership and Local Governance fellowships. Women from CALD and muliticultural communities will be supported and encouraged to apply.
The program welcomes the involvement of women from all ages and backgrounds – Young Women, First Nations women, women who live with disability, women from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and LGBTQI+ women are especially encouraged to apply. The key requirement is that you have a passion for your local community.
Women Leading Locally will be delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA). 120 places will be offered to women in this new community leadership program to give participants the inspiration, knowledge and skills to succeed in local leadership roles, with a focus on campaigning as a candidate for the 2024 local government elections.
There are 60 places available for the program’s first intake in 2022. The selection criteria aim to recruit women who reflect the diversity of local communities in the 30 council areas where women were most under-represented after the October 2020 local government elections, including urban, regional and rural locations across Victoria. The Victorian Government welcomes applications from women of all ages and backgrounds. Young women, women who are Aboriginal, live with a disability, are from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds or identify as LGBTQI+ are especially encouraged to apply.
Priority will be given to women who aspire to stand for local council election in 2024.
The program is designed to develop leadership skills. It will also provide participants with ongoing connections and mentoring, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful local government campaign. Program participants will also be eligible to receive a formal Certificate in Community Leadership and Governance (Local Government).
Applications for Year One open on 12 May 2022.
Get Involved
The Women Leading Locally Program is being launched through a series of inspiring and informative seminars that will be held online and face-to-face in seven communities across the state:
- Online, introduction event, Thursday 12 May 2022, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
- Melbourne CBD, Wednesday 1 June 2022, 5.00pm-8.00pm
- Traralgon, Thursday 2 June 2022, 5.00pm-8.00pm
- Narre Warren, Saturday 4 June 2022, 1.00pm-4.00pm
- Horsham, Tuesday 7 June 2022, 5.00pm-8.00pm
- Geelong, Wednesday 8 June 2022, 5.00pm-8.00pm
- Wangaratta, Wednesday 15 June 2022, 5.00pm-8.00pm
- Kerang, Thursday 16 June 2022, 5.00pm-8.00pm
Participants will learn how and why they should get involved in local politics, why women’s leadership qualities transfer so well into political office and how communities benefit from having more women in council chambers. You’ll also hear how you can play a part in supporting others into power and why you should consider applying for a 2022 Women Lead Local Government Fellowship (or encourage someone else to apply!).
