The LEAD Africa Fellowship program begins in the first quarter of each year in the three Program across Africa.
New entrants – known as LEAD Associates – remain in full employment during their training. When their training is complete, they become
part of the Pan-African and worldwide network of LEAD Fellows.

LEAD AWA’s approach encourages learners to search for joint solutions by working with colleagues from different countries and diverse professions.
A cohort of LEAD AWA Associates might include an economist from Nigeria, a journalist from South Africa, an environmental activist from Zimbabwe,
a lawyer from Malawi, a banker from Senegal and a business executive from Tanzania – all bringing their collective experience and expertise to bear
on issues and challenges in sustainable development and Leadership in Africa.

The Course Structure

Recruitment Stage

Recruitment will take place annually, starting in the last quarter of every year. It is conducted concurrently in all LEAD Africa Programmes,
with a deadline for completion that is shared. LEAD Africa supports this process through a web-based/online application that is sent on to the
relevant Programme, and through regional advertising, combined with more classical methods; recruitment via networks, physical applications etc.
Further on in the development of the programme it is hoped that the process will be online only, as to minimise administration.

Pre-Training Stage
Upon recruitment, all Associates are given information on the whole LEAD Africa Programme its training stage and Fellows network, which is a lifelong commitment.
In particular, they are given details about the complete training phase, including the international-level training. They will receive detailed information on their
training events, support, web site and facilities, and a schedule of on-line virtual interaction in which they will be expected to participate during their 12-month
Associate phase.

Training Stage:
Developing a shared information base, vocabulary and ethic

Training provided will be delivered in a sequence of National Programme training, Pan-Africa training, and o International-level training.
The initial 12-month period is structured to help Associates to:

A. Understand the concepts related to sustainable development, their evolution and challenges
attached to them. Develop a common vocabulary and ethic vis-à-vis sustainability using both
thematic and skill-based training;

B. Promote networking at the national, regional and international level through a number of tools:
group reflection and problem-solving work at the National and pan African Programme-level,
structured self-directed and moderated interaction, and networking activities such as Networking
Fairs; and,

C. Develop a strong identity as a group. This latter point cannot be underestimated, as it is this
component that will sustain the network over time and continue to engage people as they move
through their careers.d. The Associates can be part of one International Session which is optional.

D. Each session will be of 5 days duration and will be a mix of theoretical inputs, learning from peer
groups, field visits and learning by doing.

E. LEAD Associate Projects (LAP) will be undertaken by each associate on an agreed topic and will be
in addition to the residential training program. Successful completion of the approved LEAD
Associate Project (LAP) will be the prerequisite for graduating as LEAD Fellow.

Tailoring the Programme through application

During their LEAD Africa training, Associates are able to build upon their learning immediately and focus on the application of their learning and networking skills,
with the support of their peers and employers. They do this through their work on the PDP for which they will form a PDP Trio which will continue throughout the Program.
They will also discuss application through participation in a 5 member Leadership Group which will be a group that reflects and grows with the help of a coach throughout
the Program. In the context of these two associations (PDP Trio and Leadership Group), reflection, learning and application will support each Associate through his/her
program journey. These groups will also provide support for the LEAD Associate Project.

The final part of the Program includes a Pan-African Event, where Associates from here African Program will meet to learn about Pan-African sustainability and leadership,
with a theme focus and skill set that is most relevant to the learner in a cross-cultural context.

The final phase of the Training Stage marks the completion of the Associate Project, designed to help the individual delve deeper into an aspect of the Program of greatest
interest and utility to them, and then to share results with peers in a structured way.

LEAD Africa training is both cumulative and cyclical, in that it presents themes, questions and skills and then returns to learners repeatedly for consideration and practice
within the 12-month period. This is particularly true for the leadership skill-building component of the Program.