In our third annual list, we find that most organizations are women-led or co-led and that there is a growing wave against democratic backsliding.
Preparing the next generation of effective, democracy-driven political leaders has never been more urgent. Democratic backsliding, AI expansion, climate change, and deep polarization are colliding with the biggest election year in history.
Amidst the challenges, a growing wave of bold political leadership entrepreneurs (PLEs) are working across the Political Leadership Impact Path to recruit community or sector leaders, prepare them to run for office, and support them in serving well once elected. They are reimagining political leadership, and even with tight budgets and volunteer-driven efforts, we're seeing significant impact and the potential for even more.
The Political Leadership Entrepreneur Network (PLEN), convened by the Apolitical Foundation, provides a space for those preparing and supporting political leadership in non-partisan ways to exchange ideas, advice, and support to build and scale their impact. The PLEN was founded following our 2022 Better Leaders, Better Democracies report, which mapped political leadership training worldwide for the first time—all the organizations on this list are members of this peer-to-peer network.
The purpose of this year’s list of PLEN members is to highlight trends and gaps in the field, give visibility to the field as a whole and welcome new members. We hope that by highlighting these trends, programs and leaders, we will inspire more and deeper work and funding to ensure that we have the 21st century political leadership we need today.
Top 10 Highlights:
1. Women entrepreneurs are driving the movement.
2. PLEs are being born out of a response to backsliding democracies.
3. PLEs are diversifying political leadership, but there’s still work to do.
4. The majority of PLEs are new, especially in global majority countries.
5. There are geographic gaps in Latin America and Asia.
6. Hyper-local and workplace improvement are new focuses for many PLEs.
7. Despite climate being a major issue, there are currently no PLEs focused on bridging climate action into politics.
8. There is a significant uptick in collaborations between PLEN members.
9. Few organizations work to support newly elected leaders.
10. Most PLEs established within the past two years operate with only one part-time staff member and rely on volunteers.
“Being part of this new global movement has completely changed my vision of sustainability and leadership. I have had the opportunity to meet highly experienced people from across the world who have come from totally different backgrounds but are unified around the same mission: to make the world a better place.”
-Nino Zambakhidze, Chairwoman of Georgian Farmers Association, Unity
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Highlights:
1. Women entrepreneurs are driving the movement. 82% of PLEs in the network are led, co-led, or founded by women. On the African continent, this number rises to 100%. This is particularly significant given the ongoing disparity in women’s political representation worldwide.
35% of the PLEN is focused exclusively on preparing women and non-binary individuals for political leadership. Some of the organizations led by women that recruit and support more women to enter politics on the African continent include the SPPG, CYLA Zambia and newcomer African Women in Political Leadership (AWPL).
2. PLEs are being born out of a response to backsliding democracies. 72% of the organizations in the PLEN are operating in countries facing challenging democratic contexts.
Challenging democratic contexts include 'flawed democracies' and 'hybrid regimes' as classified by the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2023 Democracy Index.
3. PLEs are diversifying political leadership, but there’s still work to do. While numerous PLEs in the network focus on women and youth leaders, more could be done to recruit, prepare, and support other underrepresented groups.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is the only PLE we know that focuses on LGBTQ+ leaders, though they have important partners in several countries. Disability Victory, in the US, is the only PLE we know of dedicated to leaders with disabilities.
The newly-launched Parliament of Exiles, in France, is the only PLE in our network preparing leaders from refugee or migration backgrounds to enter politics.
4. The majority of PLEs are new, especially in global majority countries. Nearly 60% of PLEs in the network were founded in the last five years. In global majority countries, this number rises to 64%. This network has momentum and great potential to continue expanding and scaling impact.
5. There are geographic gaps in Latin America and Asia. With only six members of the PLEN from Asia and twelve from Latin America, these regions are the next frontiers for the political leadership movement.
We are eager to hear from organizations doing important work in Asia to prepare aspiring leaders for elected office. In Latin America, we are teaming up with the Update Institute to learn more about how we can best connect and support organizations there. Please fill out this survey and help us with this work.
6. Hyper-local and workplace improvement are new focuses for many PLEs. LovePolitics is exploring hyper-local approaches to expand political leadership support in rural areas within the DACH region. Canadian organizations Samara Centre for Democracy, Equal Voice, and Nominee are driving conversations about improving the political workplace to make it fit for the 21st century. Women's Democracy Lab, Indian School of Democracy, RepresentWomen, Politics in Colour, and others are trailblazing organizations supporting politician’s mental wellbeing.
7. Despite climate being a major issue, there are currently no PLEs focused on bridging climate action into politics. Public leaders can only tackle climate change with the right preparation and support. While many PLEs in the network do include the topic of climate change, currently, we do not have any climate-focused PLEs, presenting a special opportunity for anyone interested in working across regions, political affiliations, and demographics.
8. There is a significant uptick in collaborations between PLEN members. We’ve listed a few here, but this is not an exhaustive list.
A coalition of Australian PLEs coordinated by Women for Elections Australia is collectively scaling work with diverse women candidates nationwide.
PLEN members in Latin America and Asia are working together to support campaigning infrastructure for women’s political leadership: NETRI, Bayi Inc, CIVIX Colombia and Politikonas. CIVIX Colombia and NETRI are also piloting initiatives to address online violence against women politicians.
In Europe, Brand New Bundestag led the EU 100 campaign in partnership with other European PLEs, including Academie de Futurs Leaders and Ti Candido ahead of the EU elections.
POLLICY is leading vital work on the use of data and AI in politics and contributed extensively to Apolitical Foundation’s Pitfalls and Possibilities report.
LOCALE Learning, Compassion in Politics and Oasis Leadership Network are partnering with the Apolitical Foundation to develop and pilot a new course on mental wellbeing for politicians.
These example collaborations between member organizations highlight the network’s collective dedication to making an impact and suggest promising opportunities for scaling this movement further.
9. Few organizations work to support newly elected leaders. Only five programs in the PLEN significantly** support politicians’ transition from candidacy to elected office, with examples like Elect Her UK offering non-partisan transition assistance.
The Apolitical Foundation is currently developing a non-partisan offering tailored for newly elected officials in their first year of office, focusing mainly on those from underrepresented groups. We are especially interested in how democratic innovations and safety and mental wellbeing support can facilitate this transition process and invite partnerships with organizations working in these areas.
**Significant programming includes ongoing training and tailored support (e.g., coaching, courses and mentorship) in addition to alumni networking and events.
10. Most PLEs established within the past two years operate with only one part-time staff member and rely on volunteers. This is the most their budget allows, with all other funding covering participant costs. While volunteers can contribute valuable skills, this points to the need for more and better funding for this work.
Get involved!
Cultivating effective political leadership is a collaborative process. We are grateful to learn continuously from organizations in the PLEN and support new ones' entry into the democracy ecosystem.
We have listed all 78 organizations in the network alongside their mission statements and links to their website. We can also help directly connect you with them.
Political entrepreneurs: You can join the PLEN (membership is free). If you are interested in founding a non-partisan political leadership incubator (PLI), you can apply for the Apolitical Foundation Accelerator.
Politicians and party members: You can utilize courses on Apolitical.co and our free resources on office safety and wellbeing, applying participatory methods in leadership and the ethical use of AI.
Academics: You can access cutting-edge research opportunities on political leadership and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. See our 50+1 Influential Researchers Whose Work Could Help Shape 21st Century Politicians and suggest names to us.
Donors: You can fund the PLEN members listed below—they have told us that it's the most important thing they need. Many of the organizations question the sustainability of their work if their financial situations don't change.
Call to Share
Please share this list with your networks and sign up for our weekly briefing to read how people are building better politics. By recognizing political leadership entrepreneurs, we’ll help get the politicians we need to lead us through the 21st century’s toughest challenges.
Académie Des Futurs Leaders
PLI
France
Mission: “The Future Leaders Academy is an immersive training program for personalities committed to environmental and social justice causes, eager to embody a new political generation: inspiring, empathetic and guided by progressive values. It offers training that provides the tools necessary to become the political leaders of tomorrow and transform their social involvement into political influence.”
African Women Political Leaders (AWPL)
PLI
Pan-African
Mission: “AWPL works to empower African women in political leadership through education, mentorship and networking.”
Advance Native Political Leadership
PLA / PLI / Ecosystem Supporter
United States
Mission: “Advance Native Political Leadership (Advance) is the first and only national Native-led organization working to build a complete ecosystem approach to political power building in Native communities – leadership recruitment and support, civic engagement, data and research, and national coordination.”
Akina Mama wa Afrika
PLI / Ecosystem Supporter
Pan-African
Mission: “Akina Mama wa Afrika is a pan-African feminist leadership development organization founded in 1985 by a group of African women living in the diaspora, who remained keenly aware of their African roots and the need to organize autonomously.”
The Alliance of Her
PLI / PLA
Europe
Mission: “The Alliance of Her empowers liberal women in Europe to lead and succeed, ensuring their voices are heard, loud and clear.”
Alma Cívica
PLI
Paraguay
Mission: “Alma Cívica is building the new generation of public leaders that Paraguay needs.”
Amujae Initiative - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development
Ecosystem Supporter / PLI
Liberia
Mission: “The Amujae Initiative at Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development inspires and prepares women to unapologetically take up roles and excel in the highest echelons of public leadership, and to bring other women along.”
Bayi, Inc
PLA / PLI
Philippines
Mission: “Bayi, Inc is building an ecosystem of transformative feminist leaders at the sub-national level. It envisions contributing to the full meaningful participation of women in decision-making at all levels and in all spaces.”
Apathy is Boring
PLI
Canada
Mission: “Apathy is Boring is a Canadian, non-partisan, youth-led charitable organization that supports and educates youth to be active and contributing citizens in Canada's democracy.”
Arena
PLA
United States
Mission: “Arena convenes, trains, and supports the next generation of candidates and campaign staff.”
The Ascend Fund
Ecosystem Supporter
United States
Mission: “The Ascend Fund is a collaborative fund dedicated to accelerating the pace of change toward gender parity in U.S. politics. It pools philanthropic capital and makes mission-driven investments in nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations that break down barriers preventing women from running for office and winning.”
Aúna
PLI
Mexico
Mission: “Aúna is a platform that promotes new political representations with women's leadership, to achieve greater results in well-being, justice and environmental protection.”
Avrupa Siyaset Okulu
PLI
Turkey
Mission: “Avrupa Siyaset Okulu brings together young people from different parts of the political spectrum who will be the leaders of the future, and establishes a dialogue among them. It tries to keep these issues up to date by putting issues such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, pluralism, European norms and institutions at the center of its education.”
Blue Leadership Collective
PLA / PLI
United States
Mission: “Founded in 2018, BLC retains and trains diverse leaders who are capable of running culturally competent, winning campaigns. Through its paid programs, it teaches participants the hard skills, soft skills, and leadership fundamentals necessary to lead and win.”
Brand New Bundestag
PLI / PLA
Germany
Mission: “Brand New Bundestag finds the most capable, credible people in Germany. It helps them to be politically successful in Germany's parliaments. Because only together, only if we stand together, can we overcome the immense challenges of our time. It's about more than political success - it's about our future.”
Bratislava Policy Institute
PLI / Ecosystem Supporter
Slovakia
Mission: “BPI's mission is to create and improve public policies, open debates on actual narratives, and consult trends and scenarios through independent, objective, non-partisan research.”
Centre for Youth Leadership Development in Africa (CYLA)
PLI / PLA
Zambia
Mission: “CYLA- Zambia is a non-governmental organization that champions the inclusion and representation of young people across Zambia and Malawi, in political parties and decision making spaces at all levels.”
Civix Colombia
PLI
Colombia
Mission: “Civix Colombia works with teachers and students to train the new generations of active, participatory citizens, committed to democracy.”
Collège Citoyen de France
PLI
France
Mission: “Collège Citoyen de France is the new school that prepares the public leaders of tomorrow. A course of excellence, with 200 hours to develop your project of civic engagement.”
Compassion in Politics
PLA / Ecosystem Supporter
United Kingdom
Mission: “Compassion in Politics is a cross-party think-tank working to put compassion, cooperation, and inclusion at the heart of politics.”
Country First Academy
PLA / PLI
United States
Mission: “Country First Academy is a movement for those who feel politically homeless in the failed politics of today and want to bring truth and accountability back to government.”
Leadership Incubator +Costa Rica
PLA / PLI
Costa Rica
Mission: “+Costa Rica Leadership Incubator is driven by a commitment to a robust and participative democracy and is dedicated to the training and development of a new generation of political leaders. It emerges as an independent, multiparty entity that is free from ideological biases. In a context of growing distrust toward institutions and low electoral participation, it focuses on preparing individuals from all political spectra for leadership roles, with an emphasis on ethics, effective management, and communication skills. +Costa Rica Leadership Incubator's methodology includes both in-person and virtual training programs, led by national and international experts, complemented by immersion workshops and discussion panels that enrich the experience and learning.”
Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD)
Ecosystem Supporter / PLA / PLI (Democracy Schools)
Netherlands
Mission: “NIMD works to promote peaceful, just and inclusive politics worldwide. Its approach across all of its programs is unique and characterized by dialogue. NIMD’s Democracy Schools bring established politicians and future leaders from across the political spectrum together and teach participants key democratic principles such as equality, ethics and inclusion.”
CEU Democracy Institute Leadership Academy
PLI
Hungary
Mission: “The Leadership Academy is a unique, 12-week, part-time, English-language leadership training program offered by the CEU Democracy Institute for a new generation of public leaders in Central and Eastern Europe. The course addresses the needs of mid-career local, municipal and national leaders, political party representatives, policy experts working at parties, in civil service and think-tanks, and civil society activists who seek to promote democratic change. ”
Disability Victory
Ecosystem Supporter / PLA / PLI
United States
Mission: “Disability Victory builds the political power of disabled progressives through training, networking, and leadership development.”
ECHO Network Africa/Democracy Trust Fund Kenya
Ecosystem Supporter / PLA / PLI
Kenya
Mission: “ECHO Network Africa/Democracy Trust Fund Kenya partners with women, (including young women, women with disabilities and women from marginalized communities) to create a better society.”
ElectHER Nigeria
PLA / PLI / Ecosystem Supporter
Nigeria
Mission: “ElectHER Nigeria is a non-partisan disruptive organization shaping the future of inclusive, active, and functional participation by advancing active citizen engagement and democratizing politics for women to decide to run and win elections across Africa.”
Elect Her UK
PLA / PLI
United Kingdom
Mission: “Elect Her UK is a non-partisan organization working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office in Britain. It supports women throughout their political journey, up until and including standing for election, and also holds events focused on bringing specific communities of women into politics, such as women of color, women with disabilities and women in rural locations.”
Emerging Leaders Foundation
PLI
Kenya
Mission: “The Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa (ELF-Africa) exists to empower, support and accompany young women and men to achieve meaningful, dignified and impactful participation in governance, economy and public affairs at all levels of society.”
Empowered To Run
PLA / PLI
United States
Mission: “Empowered To Run empowers thoughtful leaders everywhere to run for office successfully and govern effectively.”
Equal Voice Canada
PLA / PLI / Ecosystem supporter
Canada
Mission: “Equal Voice Canada works to advance education and provide leadership training for women and gender diverse people to increase their participation at all levels of Canadian politics.”
Extituto Politica Abierta
Ecosystem supporter / PLI
Colombia
Mission: “Extituto Politica Abierta is strengthening leadership and collective processes so leaders can influence, occupy and inhabit politics. It does this through the design of tools, methodologies and technologies for political and democratic innovation.”
FANTAPOLITICA!
PLA
Italy
Mission: “Fantapolitica! wants to contribute to the construction of a community of young citizens placed on the left, eager to conquer a space for action within the institutions, and therefore to win the elections.”
Fiftys Project
PLA / PLI
Japan
Mission: “Fiftys Project aims to eliminate gender inequality in the political field by increasing the number of women in their 20s and 30s (including trans women, non-binary, X-gender, etc.,) who are running for local assembly members with the aim of achieving gender equality. It is a movement that connects to and supports together.“
From Harvard Square to Oval Office (Women and Public Policy Program, Harvard University)
PLI
United States
Mission: “The Women and Public Policy Program of Harvard Kennedy School works to advance women and gender equity by creating knowledge, training leaders, and informing public policy and organizational practices.”
Higher Heights Leadership Fund
PLA / PLI
United States
Mission: “Higher Heights Leadership Fund is building a national civic engagement infrastructure and network to strengthen Black women’s leadership capacity. Higher Heights Leadership Fund is investing in a long-term strategy to expand and support Black women’s leadership pipeline at all levels and strengthen their civic participation beyond just Election Day.”
Höj Rösten
PLI
Sweden
Mission: “The Höj Rösten Foundation revitalizes Swedish democracy by transforming the great community involvement that exists among young people today into political influence.”
The Icebreakers
PLI
Sweden
Mission: “Icebreakers Political Leadership Incubator is a new hub based in Norrbotten that works for to strengthen human rights, local democratic participation and increased Arctic cooperation in the North.”
IGNITE
PLI
United States
Mission: “IGNITE is a movement of young women who are ready and eager to become the next generation of political leaders. IGNITE’s model moves young women to run and win, and it also dramatically increases their political engagement on every level.”
Indian School of Democracy
PLI
India
Mission: “Indian School of Democracy is a non-partisan organization that conducts programs for aspiring, grassroots political leaders. It wants to nurture principled leaders, with moral courage and imagination, to achieve sarvodaya (the economic and social development of a community as a whole, especially as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi).”
Institute for a Democratic Future (IDF)
PLI
United States
Mission: “The Institute for a Democratic Future (IDF) is a fellowship that prepares aspiring progressive leaders with the knowledge and tools to make a change. Program graduates join a network of hundreds of alumni in elected, policy, staff, and advocacy roles that shape politics and policy in Washington state.”
JoinPolitics
Ecosystem supporter / PLI
Germany
Mission: “JoinPolitics empowers political talents who develop innovative solutions to the big challenges of our times and implement them politically. It supports with seed capital, network and know-how.”
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung - East Asia
PLA / PLA
East Asia
Mission: “Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung - East Asia aims to preserve and promote liberal democracy and strengthen international dialogue. KAS is a partner of the European Union to strengthen democracy, promote party cooperation and non-state actors, carry out political education, and support good governance and decentralization.”
Kuviraa
PLI
India
Mission: “Kuviraa is building political engagement and leadership in young girls.”
Legisla
PLA
Brasil
Mission: “Legisla is a non-profit and non-partisan society that works to make Brazilian politics work. It is committed to creating a virtuous circle: it brings good professionals to work in the legislative branch, making parliamentary teams more productive.“
LGBTQI+ Victory Institute
PLI / PLA / Ecosystem supporter
United States
Mission: “Victory Institute works to achieve and sustain global equality through leadership development, training, and convening to increase the number, expand the diversity, and ensure the success of openly LGBTQI+ elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.”
Locale Learning
PLI / PLA
Australia
Mission: “Locale Learning is equipping local councillors with the 21st century skills and mindset they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.”
Love Politics
PLI
Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Mission: “Love Politics is a non-partisan and non-profit NGO. It works to get passionate actors to stand up for sustainable goals in the political system. The leadership training provides the tools to act credibly and effectively as a politician under extremely challenging conditions. It paves the way for new talents into politics and in doing so, it relies on more diversity in federal, state and local parliaments.”
Moremi Initiative
PLI
Operates across Africa
Mission: “Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs and change agents: Leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate discrimination against women.”
Netri
PLI
India
Mission: “NETRI is India’s first incubator and aggregator for women in the political ecosystem that equips women to run for elections, become political professionals or political entrepreneurs, thereby increasing women's participation in decision-making.”
NEW Leadership (at the Centre for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University)
PLI
United States
Mission: “NEW Leadership is a national nonpartisan college students' public leadership training program addressing women's underrepresentation in politics.”
Nominee
PLA / PLI
Canada & United States
Mission: “Nominee is a learning platform on a mission to empower more people, particularly from underrepresented and marginalized communities, to run for office and make a difference in our communities. It provides support through every stage of one's political career—from deciding to run, to getting elected, to serving in office.”
Nosotrxs
PLA
Mexico
Mission: “Nosotrxs is a movement that seeks to rebuild democracy from the citizenry. Through training and collective organization, it defends and demands our rights throughout the country.”
Oasis Leadership Network
PLA
United States
Mission: “Oasis Leadership Network creates an oasis where equity and justice-focused women and non-binary state legislators build transformational relationships, receive support, and develop the individual and collective power needed to effect change.”
Parliament of Exiles
PLI
France
Mission: “Parliament of Exiles works towards the participation of exiled people in political life.”
Patchwork Foundation
PLI
United Kingdom
Mission: “Patchwork Foundation promotes, encourages and supports the active participation of young people from disadvantaged and minority communities in British democracy and civil society.”
Pathway to Politics for Women
PLI
Australia
Mission: “Pathways to Politics for Women is increasing the number of diverse women in Australian politics by equipping them to boldly embrace their political ambitions, thrive as leaders and make a profound contribution to society. In collaboration with eight of Australia’s leading universities in each Australian state and territory, Pathways to Politics offers comprehensive practical training, workshops, mentoring, and career-long support.”
Pipeline Initiative
Ecosystem Supporter
United States
Mission: “The Pipeline Fund is working toward a reflective democracy where skilled, diverse, community leaders are fully supported to run for office, run campaigns, and pass progressive policies that address the urgent needs of all Americans.”
Politics in Colour
PLI
Australia
Mission: “Politics in Colour is designed specifically to address the challenges and barriers facing people from under-served communities, our online workshops assist diverse Australians considering a career in politics.”
PoliticsNOW
PLA / PLI
Canada
Mission: “PoliticsNOW is a political leadership collective that amplifies, engages and empowers women in politics all over Northern Ontario.”
Politikonas
PLA / PLI
Colombia
Mission: “Politikonas promotes the leadership and political participation of women.”
VOTE: Women Programme by POLLICY
Ecosystem Supporter / PLI
Across Africa
Mission: “POLLICY is a group of technologists, data scientists, creatives and academics looking to innovate government service delivery across Africa. It works with governments, civil society, NGOs and the private sector to re-design services around citizen needs and demands.”
Próxima Geração
PLI
Portugal
Mission: “Próxima Geração is the first academy with a global context, non-partisan and non-profit in Portugal with the aim of revitalizing Portuguese democracy. At the moment, its main focus is to reinforce the role of young people, between 16 and 30 years old, as actors of democracy, through training programs.”
Raise our Voice Australia
PLI
Australia
Mission: “Raise our Voice Australia is amplifying the voices of young women, trans and non-binary people to actively lead conversations in politics and domestic and foreign policy.”
Recambio
PLI
Peru
Mission: “Recambio is a non-partisan and non-profit citizen initiative, which through training and debate spaces, seeks to contribute to renewing the way of doing politics in Peru.”
Rede a Ponte
PLA
Brazil
Mission: “Rede a Ponte is a network of women with experience in academic research, public policy and management to support women in politics!”
RenovaBR
PLI
Brazil
Mission: “RenovaBR is a political training school maintained by ordinary citizens who believe in a healthier, more participatory and representative democracy.”
RepresentWomen
Ecosystem Supporter
United States
Mission: “RepresentWomen is a research and advocacy hub focused on advancing women’s representation so more women run, win, serve, and lead!”
Run for Something
PLA
United States
Mission: “Run for Something provides a safety net for new and exciting progressive leaders—at all stages of their journey—helping them run efficient, strategic, grassroots, driven campaigns while feeling supported throughout the process.”
SA-HR (Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights)
Ecosystem Supporter
Global
Mission: “SA-HR is resourcing women and diverse leaders to shape Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) laws and policies.”
Samara Centre for Democracy
Ecosystem Supporter
Canada
Mission: “The Samara Centre is a non-partisan charity that produces ground-breaking research and dynamic events that advance a vibrant culture of civic engagement across Canada. It works to support a resilient democracy with responsive institutions, shaped by an engaged public.”
SPPG
PLI / Ecosystem Supporter
Nigeria
Mission: “The School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) is an unconventional school designed to attract, develop and produce a new generation of political leaders who will listen and serve the new class of citizens who know their rights.”
Ti Candido
PLI
Italy
Mission: “Ti Candido was born with a plan: to concretely support candidates with strong ties to the local area, stories of activism and concrete battles in the field, with social and environmental justice at heart.”
Tous Elus
PLA
France
Mission: “Tous Elus is a non-partisan movement to raise awareness and train all those who are far from democracy!”
Trawalla Foundation
Ecosystem Supporter
Australia
Mission: “The Trawalla Foundation works with exceptional individuals and organizations that have a vision for the future of Australia, focused on strengthening gender equality, creativity, sustainability and social justice within our society. A belief in the value of more female leaders, especially in business, media and politics underpins its work.”
Unity
PLI
Caucasus Region
Mission: “Unity wants to inspire, empower and connect young people across the Caucasus to go into the political career path by giving them practical tools through a global program that is built on 25+ years of experience and state-of-the-art pedagogy.”
Women's Democracy Lab
PLA / Ecosystem supporter
United States
Mission: “Women's Democracy Lab's mission is to radically reimagine political leadership to serve us better—bold, revolutionary, multigenerational.”
Women for Election Australia
PLI
Australia
Mission: “Women for Election Australia provides non-partisan training events, workshops and networking opportunities to inspire and equip more women to run for public office in Australia.”
Key:
PLI - Political Leadership Incubator: organizations working in the pre-political space to help leaders run for office (captured by steps 1-4 on the Political Leadership Impact Path).
PLA - Political Leadership Accelerators: organizations working with existing politicians to serve their communities well (captured by steps 5-9 on the Political Leadership Impact Path).
Ecosystem Supporter: organizations bettering political leadership through mechanisms outside of direct work with politicians (research, funding, convening, etc.).
PLE - Political Leadership Entrepreneurs: a term that captures all organizations in the space—the PLIs, PLAs and Ecosystem Supporters.
PLEN - Political Leadership Entrepreneur Network: The Apolitical Foundation-convened network of 78+ PLEs improving political leadership.