From the local to the continental, the Fahamu Pan-African Fellowship (FPAF) programme aims to nurture and support grassroots African activism - generating contemporary, energetic, visionary and innovative thought and activism.
FPAF is a one year program that seeks to strengthen community based organisations and social movements by identifying community based activists with qualities of leadership and innovation, and providing them with hands-on work experience, training and support.
FPAF provides opportunities for African activists to enhance their skills, experience and deepen their theoretical and practical understanding of methods for effective advocacy and for creating meaningful change. At the same time the program aims to strengthen community based organisations and social movements by ensuring that each community based organiser is supported in their activism.
FPAF provides each fellow with five tiers of support during the course of the fellowship program:
1. placement in host organisations
2. ongoing mentorship
3. a buddy system for peer support
4. monthly learning seminars
5. a monthly stipend
The curriculum for workshop based learning during the fellowship program is organized in four main themes:
1. Theories of Change
This section covers various theories of change that have an impact on political, social and economic contexts of activism.
2. Practical Skills
The learner is expected to cover topics on documentation skills, financial and organizational management, resource mobilization, working with the media and advocacy, amongst others.
3. Leadership and Personal Development
To respond to the need by the activists on developing their personal skills as a foundation for activism work. This includes personal development and self-awareness, working with diverse teams, presentation and public speaking skills, as well as self-care and wellbeing.
4. Creativity
This theme is intended to equip the fellows with tools to harness art (including cartoons, photography, poetry, performing arts etc.), new media, ICTs as well as their own creativity and imagination to create change.
Read the stories of the FPAF 2012 cohort in Kenya to find out more about what these activists were able to achieve.
