The JWH Initiative provides funding to young individuals who are part of or work with environmental groups in developing countries and emerging economies, and have shown great promise and interest in taking on leadership roles.
This grant is unique in that it supports the person, not a specific project. The grant money can be used by the recipients to further their own development, whether that's through taking courses, getting training, doing internships, traveling for exchanges, attending conferences, or participating in high-level meetings - basically, anything that helps them grow and become a stronger leader.
They especially want to encourage young women from all walks of life, as well as leaders from local and rural communities, to apply for this opportunity.
Key Details
To be considered, a candidate needs to be nominated by someone who knows them well - they can't just apply on their own. The person making the nomination should send it to jwh@bothends.org before the deadline, which is listed on the website jwhinitiative.org. After the deadline, it can take up to six weeks to make a decision. It's also important to note that once a decision is made, it's final - JWH doesn't allow appeals, so the decision can't be changed.
Eligibility Requirements
When it comes to choosing candidates, there are some rules to keep in mind. For starters, they can't come from what's known as "advanced economies", a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This means places like Australia, Canada, and most of Western Europe are out, along with the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and a few others. Now, when we talk about "young" candidates, it's not a hard and fast rule - it's more about the context. But generally speaking, people under 35 are preferred, especially those who are just starting out in their careers and have a lot of potential and ambition to become leaders.
Strong candidates typically:
- Show potential and ambition to lead in their field
- Work with or are connected to local communities, community-based organizations, or civil society organizations
- Genuinely embrace sustainable development, gender equality, and climate justice
- Have a solid background in and commitment to environmental and sustainable development work
- Show creativity and initiative
Here's the thing: this grant is only for helping you grow as a person, not for funding some big project for your organization. The money can't be used for things like getting a project off the ground, paying administrative costs, or covering someone's salary - except for yours, if you're the one getting the grant.
Who Can Nominate
Self-nomination isn't accepted. The nominator needs to know the candidate well enough to vouch for their goals and character.
Required Documents
When sending in nominations, it's best to use English, but you can also use Spanish, French, or Portuguese if you need to. Just make sure to double-check your email before hitting send - it should have all the necessary information included.
- A completed nomination form with two references
- A copy of the candidate's CV
- A recent digital photo of the candidate
- All fields on the form need to be filled in. An incomplete form can get the whole nomination thrown out.
Application Process
- Confirm the candidate meets the eligibility criteria, age, country, sector, and leadership potential.
- Find a nominator who knows the candidate well (self-nomination won't work).
- Complete the nomination form in full, including two references.
- To get started, collect the candidate's resume and a recent picture of them.
- Submit everything electronically to jwh@bothends.org
Major Considerations
This grant funds the person, not a project, so it's a poor fit for anyone hoping to cover organizational costs, staff salaries, or program implementation.
JWH also reserves the right to change nomination requirements without notice, so it's worth checking the website close to when you plan to apply rather than relying on older information. And since self-nomination isn't accepted, candidates need someone else willing to put in the work of nominating them.
Should You Apply?
This opportunity is perfect for young individuals, typically under 35 years old, who are involved with environmental civil society organizations in developing countries or emerging economies. To be eligible, they need someone to nominate them and a clear plan for how they will use the funding to enhance their own skills and growth.
It's essential to note that this is not suitable for people based in advanced economies, those who want to nominate themselves, or individuals seeking to fund a specific project rather than focusing on their own leadership development. The goal is to support the personal growth of young leaders in environmental CSOs, helping them make a greater impact in their communities.
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