Leadership Development Program

Support

Launched in 2017, the Forus Leadership Development Programme develops entrepreneurial, forward-thinking leaders who will redefine how networks of civil society organisations networks operate.

Between 2017 and 2025, 66 current and emerging National NGO Platform leaders across 5 continents participate in this transformative programme becoming powerful advocates and steer the role of National NGO Platforms and Regional Coalitions towards social justice.

Forus Leadership Development Programme Cycle 5 – Teaser

Our approach

Our approach to capacity development prioritises nurturing leadership skills through collaborative learning, peer exchanges, mentoring and storytelling, with a focus on innovation, adaptability and visionary leadership within national and regional platforms.

OUR mission

By developing leadership skills and techniques and building a safer space for civil society practitioners we inspire current and emerging leaders from NGOs within the network to reflect on their contributions and drive meaningful dialogue with power holders. Participants are equipped to build transformative partnerships with CSOs and other key stakeholders, driving innovative solutions to today's most pressing challenges.

The Structure

The overall program consists of 9 months cycles, each composed of 12 participants, combining participatory methods, webinars and face to face workshops.

Discover the ongoing 5th Cycle

Supporting women leaders from across the Forus network

Forus Leadership Development Programme Cycle 5 | Forus

Forus Leadership Development Programme Cycle 5 For women leaders

Inese Vaivare – LAPAS, Latvia

"I didn’t expect this course to be so good, because I learned that in all continents we have the same challenges and we share a lot of issues."

Sylvestre Tiemtoré - Spong, Burkina Faso

"I thought it was going to be a traditional training where people would be taught leadership content. But now I realize it’s a mutual learning process between the different leaders from various platforms, which is something I’ve always sought. It allows us to see that our challenges and questions are also shared across borders, across continents."

Maite Serrano - La Coordinadora, Spain

"It has been four intense days filled with many challenges, numerous obstacles, and a lot of creativity as well. I believe the most important part has been seeing ourselves and the NGO platforms from outside the box."

The Forus Leadership Development Programme

In Numbers

5

5 cycles: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2024-2025

66

Since its launch there have been 66 exceptional leaders participating in the programme - 45 female participants and 21 male participants.

50

Over 50 countries represented from across the Forus network

4

4 global workshops: Nepal (2017), Chile (2018), Senegal (2019), and The Philippines (2025).

10+

Several articles, videos and testimonials from civil society leaders from across the globe.

1

One collective Guide co-created with all participants during the Covid-19 lockdown: The Future Convergence: Forus Barefoot Guide – Cultivating Practices of Collaboration for Social Change

The Forus Barefoot Guide

We all know that collaboration is vital for transformative social change. But how do we practice collaboration in these times? That is the question driving the publication "Future Convergence - the Forus Barefoot Guide". It is a practical resource intended for individuals and organisations who want to improve their learning processes and social change practices. Written by thirty-one civil society leaders and practitioners from twenty countries from across the world, find practices and experiences that bring diverse people and organisations together towards a vision of a planet that is more equitable, inclusive, humane and sustainable.

Read the Forus Barefoot Guide

Join Us in Empowering Civil Society Leaders

The Forus Leadership Development Programme represents a unique space supporting transformative leadership within civil society. We invite fellow leaders, partners, allies and funders to join us in making this vision a reality. Together, we can amplify the voices of social change leaders, build inclusive governance, and drive transformative change.

Contact [email protected] for partnership opportunities