Scholarships under WACC's Communication Leadership Training Programme

WACC plays a leading role in promoting the democratisation of communications, communication for human dignity and the right to communicate. WACC encourages communications work that shows leadership in engaging with key issues to bring about a more just and democratic communication order.

WACC supports participatory communication empowering those at the margins such as refugees, the urban and rural poor, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and women.

The Communication Leadership Training Programme aims to assist persons who show strong potential to take up sustained and significant leadership roles in areas of communication related to WACC’s aims.

Eligibility

WACC provides communication leadership training grants for:

a. candidates age 45 or under nominated by the organisations with which they work;
b. candidates age 45 or under identified by WACC regions, WACC Global Office and/or by the candidates themselves.

Eligibility for training assistance is normally restricted to persons from developing countries. Organisations that can nominate candidates include churches, church related organisations, and other non-governmental organizations whose objectives are compatible with those of WACC. WACC is an ecumenical organization and encourages a non-denominational approach.

Priorities

To encourage future communication leaders and strengthen the communication leadership readiness of the next generation within and beyond WACC’s membership. The CLT provides financial assistance for communication-related training of actively engaged persons with clear potential for significant and sustained leadership involvement in one or more of the following areas:

1. Communications Rights for All
2. Media and Gender Justice
3. Eliminating HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination
4. Communication and Theological Education

Training in the own region or country of the candidate

Programmes and courses of up to 2 years long.

Grant Limitations

• WACC cannot guarantee assistance to all qualified applicants due to limited resources. Local contributions or co-funding from other organisations for training costs may facilitate applications;
• Grants can be made for communication-related programmes offered by recognized educational institutions as well as for work-experience based training programmes;
• Applications for training outside the trainee’s own country or region will be considered only if substantive explanation and justification is provided;
• Grants are made only for expenses directly related to training such as tuition and related travel and living costs;
• Grants cannot be extended beyond the agreed period;
• Grants cannot be made for persons who have already started a training programme for which assistance is sought;
• Grants cannot be made for persons who reside outside their own region;
• Grants are not made for language training.

Responsibilities of Nominating Organisations (if applicable)

• Detailed explanation of the training required and its relevance to enhancing the candidate’s and organisation’s readiness for communication leadership and innovation in one or more of the four priority areas;
• Selection of course/training programme;
• If the required training will be outside the trainee’s country or region, a detailed explanation of why the training must be outside including a statement of the advantages compared to training that may be available locally or regionally;
• Description of the future responsibilities of the trainee and how this will reflect their increasing leadership role within one of the above-mentioned four areas;
• Agreement to be jointly responsible for the training and committed to use the services of the trainee, once the training has finished;
• Assurance that the organisation, the trainee or other funding sources will cover any other expenses not included in the WACC grant;
• Reporting to WACC six months after completion of the training analysing its impact on communication leadership and innovation in one or more of the four priority areas.

Responsibilities of Trainees Nominated by Organisations

• Agreement to pursue and complete the agreed course/programme;
• Regular reports to WACC during the training programme;
• Formal commitment to work for the nominating organisation for a period which could be twice as long as the training programme, but in no case should be less than one year for short-term training;
• Reporting to WACC six months after completion of the training detailing its impact regarding their work with particular reference to communication leadership in one of the four priority areas.

Responsibilities of Independent Applicants

• Independent applicants are advised that care should be taken to fully explain why the devotion of WACC’s limited resources to their training is likely to be a fruitful investment in the next generation of communication leaders and innovators.
• Detailed explanation of the training required and its relevance to enhancing the applicant’s readiness for communication leadership and innovation;
• Selection of course/training programme;
• If the required training will be outside the trainee’s country or region, a detailed explanation of why the training must be outside including a statement of the advantages compared to training that may be available locally or regionally;
• Commitment to complete the programme;
• Assurance that the applicant or other funding sources will cover any other expenses not included in the WACC grant;
• Regular reports to WACC during the training programme;
• Reporting to WACC six months after completion of the training detailing its impact regarding their work with particular reference to communication leadership in one of the four priority areas.

What If The Course is Longer Than Two years?

WACC does not normally accept applications for training programmes longer than two years. However, where substantial co-funding is secured, WACC may consider an application for a training programme longer than two years.

How to Apply

Applicants must use the current application form. All applications should reach WACC Global Office, Toronto, at least six months before the training programme is due to start. Please download “WACC Communication Leadership Training: How Does It Work?” and review it carefully to assess whether an application would meet the eligibility requirements. Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements cannot be considered. If you believe your application would meet the basic eligibility requirements after reviewing the document, please contact the scholarship desk indicating that you have reviewed it and would like to be sent an application form for either a nominated candidate or an independent candidate.

Scholarship desk
WACC
308 Main Street
Toronto, ON M4C 4X7
CANADA