Leadership and Advocacy Program South Africa 2026: Free Accelerator Training Plus Eligibility for Up to $17,000 in Seed Funding

If you work on gender equity in South Africa and you want practical skills, peer connections, and a shot at real seed funding, this is one to watch. Rise Up Together’s Leadership & Advocacy Program will bring together local leaders from Gauteng and KwaZulu‑Natal for an intensive Accelerator (April 13–18, 2026) and offers follow‑on funding opportunities of up to $17,000 to launch systems‑level advocacy projects. The program covers travel, lodging, food, and materials for participants — which means the barrier to participation is low and the upside is concrete.

This piece unpacks everything you need to know: who should apply, what the training and grants actually aim to accomplish, how to prepare a strong application, and practical examples of seed‑funded projects that have a real shot at success. Read this as the field guide you’ll use to decide whether to apply and exactly how to make your candidacy persuasive.

At a Glance

Why this opportunity matters

There’s a big gap in South Africa between passionate local leaders and the kinds of targeted resources that enable sustained policy and systems change. Small operating grants help keep a project running, but they rarely help reshape services, budgets, or laws that disadvantage women, girls, and gender‑nonconforming people. Rise Up Together’s Accelerator pairs practical advocacy training with the possibility of direct seed funding geared toward systems‑level work — not one‑off activities.

The Accelerator is not a lecture series. It’s an intensive, cohort‑based lab where you test advocacy strategies, design a plausible campaign or policy intervention, and get feedback from experienced advocates and peers from similar contexts. The follow‑on grants are explicitly for projects aimed at changing institutional practices, laws, funding streams, or public programs that affect gender equity across health, education, and economic opportunity.

For leaders who already have community trust and some organizational backing, this program can turbocharge impact: think better campaign design, sharper monitoring and evaluation, and concrete funding that can be used to pilot a model that can be scaled or replicated.

What This Opportunity Offers (detailed)

First, the Accelerator. From April 13–18, 2026, selected leaders will participate in an in‑person intensive that Rise Up Together designed to strengthen leadership, strategic advocacy planning, and campaign design. The workshop will include practical modules on mapping power and stakeholders, designing policy asks, communications for advocacy, fundraising strategies, and monitoring for systems change. Expect hands‑on sessions where you’ll draft an actionable plan, run small tests of messaging or tactics, and refine theory of change documents you can actually use back home.

Second, the program covers all participation costs. Rise Up Together pays for your travel to the training site, accommodation, food, and program materials. That’s meaningful because travel and lost staff time are often the practical reasons smaller organizations and grassroots leaders skip developmental opportunities.

Third, seed funding. After you finish the Accelerator, you become eligible to apply for up to $17,000 to launch a systems‑change advocacy project. This money is intended to get a carefully designed pilot off the ground — not to subsidize general operations. The program also offers the possibility of applying for additional funding later, so your initial project can be expanded if it shows results and strong evidence of impact.

Fourth, access to networks and mentorship. Participants join a cohort of practitioners and gain ongoing support from Rise Up Together staff and trainers. That can mean introductions to funders, peer learning sessions, and technical support when you get stuck in implementation.

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for practical advocates — not the person with only a concept, and not only senior executives either. If you meet the eligibility profile below and have a commitment to concrete work on gender equity within health, education, or economic opportunity, you should consider applying.

Eligible applicants are civil society leaders aged 18–60 who currently work in Gauteng or KwaZulu‑Natal. You should be functioning at a level of coordination or management within a non‑profit, civil society organization, media outlet, or government agency. Important nuance: while people employed in government organizations may participate in the training, government entities are not eligible to receive the program’s grants. That means if you’re a government staffer you can come, learn, and plan partnerships — but your grant application must be channeled through a legally registered non‑governmental organization or a fiscal sponsor.

The program prioritizes leaders who represent or work closely with marginalized groups — for example, people living with disabilities, ethnic or religious minorities, and communities that are economically or socially excluded. That’s not window dressing; the program explicitly allocates resources and training for advocates who aim to shift laws, budgets, and institutional behaviors that perpetuate exclusion.

Real‑world example: If you run a small Pretoria‑based organization supporting school access for girls with disabilities in Gauteng and you want to influence provincial school budgets to include inclusive infrastructure, this program is a fit. Another fit: a Durban community organizer working to remove administrative barriers that keep mothers from accessing public health services — someone with community ties and a concrete policy ask.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application (actionable)

This section covers five core moves successful applicants make. Each is practical and rooted in what reviewers typically look for.

1. Start with a crisp problem statement and a specific policy or institutional ask. Don’t write a general manifesto about gender equity; name the problem, quantify it where possible, and say what change you want. Example: “Increase Gauteng Department of Health budget allocation for adolescent sexual and reproductive health services by X% in the 2027 budget cycle” is stronger than “improve adolescent health.”

2. Show evidence of community legitimacy. Reviewers fund people who have social capital. Include concrete statements about community involvement — local advisory committees, membership lists, or short testimonies. If you can show you’ve piloted elements already (even informally), say so. Small surveys or focus group summaries count.

3. Think systems change from day one. Plans that read like service delivery projects (distribute X materials to Y people) are less competitive. Instead, demonstrate how your work will change institutions, rules, or funding streams. For example, a campaign to get district schools to adopt inclusive procurement policies that budget for accessible toilets is systems change.

4. Budget with intention. If you win funding, you’ll need a realistic budget and justification. Sketch a simple budget in your application showing personnel, local travel, community engagement activities, monitoring, and a modest amount for communications and documentation. Don’t ask for $17,000 and spend 80% on salaries. Tip: allocate 10–15% to monitoring and evaluation — funders want measurable outcomes.

5. Get organizational sign‑off and a clear fiscal route. You must demonstrate organizational support to attend. If your organization isn’t registered to receive international funds, arrange a fiscal sponsor before applying. Community foundations, registered NGOs, or university research offices often act as fiscal sponsors. Have a short letter from them ready outlining their willingness to receive and manage funds on your behalf.

6. Prepare to show scalability and sustainability. Describe how the initial $17,000 project could be scaled, institutionalized, or absorbed into local budgets. Funders prefer pilots that can be folded into longer‑term systems, not one‑time events.

7. Use plain, compelling English. Your application will be read by experienced reviewers who appreciate clarity. Avoid jargon, explain acronyms, and keep sentences punchy. If someone outside your subsector can understand your argument, you’re on the right track.

Application Timeline (realistic, backwards planning)

Work backward from January 15, 2026. Treat internal deadlines like lifelines.

• January 1–14: Finalize application, collect sign‑off letters, and complete the online form. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid technical errors.
• December: Draft and refine core narrative — problem statement, proposed change, plan, and budget. Circulate to two reviewers: one sector expert and one generalist.
• November: Secure organizational commitment and any fiscal sponsor agreements. Ask your supervisor or executive director for a formal letter stating they support your participation and any time release needed.
• October: Map stakeholders and draft a monitoring framework. Start writing clear indicators (e.g., “Number of district budget meetings where our policy ask was included”).
• September: Gather community evidence and preliminary data. Run a short survey or compile beneficiary testimonials to strengthen legitimacy.
• August: Decide whether you or a colleague will attend and confirm travel logistics if selected. Begin language review and editing.

Plan to spend several days writing and another 1–2 weeks refining the application after getting feedback. High‑quality applications usually take 30–50 hours of focused work.

Required Materials (what to prepare and how to present it)

Rise Up Together’s application will require a clear narrative and supporting documentation. Expect to submit:

• A concise project or advocacy concept (2–3 pages) that outlines the problem, your specific policy or institutional ask, the approach you’ll test, and expected outcomes.
• A simple budget (1 page) with itemized costs and a short justification for each line item.
• A letter or statement from your organization confirming support for your participation and any time or in‑kind resources they’ll provide.
• Evidence of legal registration if you intend to apply for grants, or a letter from a fiscal sponsor accepting the role of managing international funds.
• Short bio or CV (1–2 pages) emphasizing relevant leadership and advocacy experience.
• Proof of work location (e.g., letterhead, recent activity report, or references confirming you work in Gauteng or KwaZulu‑Natal).
• Any additional supporting materials, such as photos of past community activities, monitoring tools you already use, or short testimonials.

Advice: write the concept like a mini advocacy plan — problem, objective, strategy, activities, indicators, and budget. Keep the language direct. Don’t bury the ask in a long paragraph; state the intended policy change in a single highlighted sentence early in the document.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Review panels respond to applications that combine clarity, feasibility, and a credible path to influence. A standout application usually has:

• A focused and measurable policy or institutional objective rather than vague goals.
• Demonstrable community legitimacy and partnerships — reviewers favor coalitions and local leaders with trust inside the communities they serve.
• Practical strategies for reaching decision‑makers: mapped stakeholders, clear communications channels, and realistic timelines for advocacy milestones.
• A monitoring plan with simple, measurable indicators tied to policy outcomes (e.g., changes in budget lines, formal adoption of new protocols, or number of meetings held with key officials).
• Thoughtful risk management: honest assessment of obstacles and contingency plans (e.g., alternate messengers if direct access to officials is limited).
• A sustainability angle: how results will last beyond the grant or how the pilot will be institutionalized.

In short, reviewers want to fund people who are realistic, connected, and strategic about how to affect lasting change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and how to fix them)

Mistake 1: Submitting a vague or overly broad proposal. Fix: narrow to one clear policy or institutional change and explain precisely how you will advance it.

Mistake 2: Treating the grant as operating support. Fix: show how the funds will pilot or test a path to systemic change, not simply pay salaries.

Mistake 3: Forgetting organizational sign‑off or fiscal readiness. Fix: secure written confirmation from your leadership and arrange a fiscal sponsor if needed well before the deadline.

Mistake 4: Overlooking monitoring and indicators. Fix: include two to four SMART indicators (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time‑bound) and a short plan for collecting them.

Mistake 5: Applying without a stakeholder map. Fix: quickly map decision‑makers, allies, and potential blockers; show how you’ll engage each.

Mistake 6: Submitting poor English or long-winded text. Fix: have someone outside your area read for clarity; cut long sentences and highlight the main ask early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can government staff apply?
A: Yes, government employees can participate in the training. However, government organizations are not eligible to receive the program’s grants. If you are in government and want grant funding, partner with a registered civil society partner or fiscal sponsor.

Q: What does “systems‑change advocacy” mean in this context?
A: It means activities aimed at changing rules, budgets, procedures, or institutional behavior that affect gender equity — for example, winning a provincial policy change, securing a dedicated budget line, or changing school admission procedures that exclude girls with disabilities.

Q: Do I need to be fluent in English?
A: The program requires proficiency in oral and written English because materials and sessions will use English. If you need interpretation support, contact Rise Up Together early to ask about options.

Q: Is prior advocacy experience required?
A: Prior experience helps, but the key is demonstrated commitment and community legitimacy. Emerging leaders with strong community ties and a clear plan can be competitive.

Q: What can the $17,000 cover?
A: The seed funding is intended for project costs directly tied to piloting an advocacy intervention — campaign costs, community engagement, small research or evidence collection, travel to meet decision‑makers, and monitoring. It’s not for general operating deficits or major capital purchases.

Q: Can organizations outside Gauteng and KwaZulu‑Natal apply?
A: This cohort focuses on Gauteng and KwaZulu‑Natal leaders. If you work nationally but are based or have programs in those provinces, you may be eligible.

Q: Will participants receive feedback if not selected?
A: Rise Up Together typically provides communications to applicants. If you don’t get in, use the outcome to refine your plan and consider applying to future cycles or similar programs.

Next Steps — How to Apply

Ready to apply? Do these five things right away.

1. Confirm eligibility (you live/work in Gauteng or KwaZulu‑Natal, are within age range, and have organizational support).
2. Secure a short letter of support from your organization and, if necessary, a fiscal sponsor letter.
3. Draft a tight 2–3 page advocacy concept with a clear policy ask, activities, timeline, and a simple budget.
4. Run the draft by a colleague outside your immediate subfield for clarity. Revise for plain language.
5. Submit your application by January 15, 2026. Don’t wait until the last day.

How to Apply / Full Details

Ready to apply? Visit the official application portal and submit your materials: https://www.tfaforms.com/5191276?pid=a1F5x000005w18X

For more information about the program and timelines, check Rise Up Together’s Leadership & Advocacy Program page and contact their team if you have questions about eligibility, fiscal sponsorship, or accessibility accommodations.

This program is a serious opportunity for people who want to move from doing good work to changing systems that produce injustice. The application rewards clarity, community legitimacy, and realistic plans that can influence government or institutional behavior. If that describes you, start drafting your advocacy concept today — and give yourself enough time to get organizational sign‑off and a solid budget.