Plus, new frameworks and language to help understand this dynamic field.
We released our 28 Non-Partisan Political Leadership Incubators to Watch a year ago.
Since then, we’ve talked to hundreds of people in the field, come to know more organizations cultivating effective political leaders, and convened the global Political Leadership Incubator Network (PLIN). With that in mind, it’s time for an update.
First of all, we’ve updated our language. Last year’s Better Leaders, Better Democracies report – from which the list of 28 PLIs and the Political Leadership Incubator Network arose – named this dynamic field for the first time. It also included frameworks we hoped would help organizations understand themselves and their surrounding ecosystem. We were heartened to see that many of these concepts and framings were popular. However, our ideas have evolved as we’ve gotten to know more organziations. We humbly offer the definitions and graphics below for the field to use. As always, we’re open to honest and constructive feedback.
The Political Leadership Impact Path
The Better Leaders, Better Democracies report included our Five Waypoints to Political Leadership for the first time. We’ve now created a more nuanced Political Leadership Impact Path including extra steps; points of entry and exit; and touch points with citizens, democracy support and political parties. The Political Leadership Impact Path also shows the difference between PLIs and PLAs, and how they complement each other.
Defining a Field
The Better Leaders, Better Democracies report suggested Political Leadership Incubators (PLIs) as a name for the organizations working to cultivate effective politicians. We were pleased to see the term PLI adopted as a proud identity and definition. Over time, we uncovered more nuance in the ways organizations in the field work. We suggest the following as more precise definitions.
Political Leadership Entrepreneurship
This is the umbrella term for the field of people and organizations from civil society improving political leadership from outside the political system in cooperation with those working inside. PLIs, PLAs and Political Leadership Ecosystem Supporters (more below) are all considered Political Leadership Entrepreneurship Organizations. The people who start these organizations are called Political Leadership Entrepreneurs.
Political Leadership Incubators (PLIs)
This name was first popularized coming out of the Better Leaders, Better Democracies report. We suggest keeping it but with a more refined definition. After our discussions with the field, we see PLIs as working with future politicians from recruitment to when they join a party and/or assemble a team, i.e, points 1 to 4 of the Political Leadership Impact Path.
Types of PLIs
We’ve been thinking about the different PLI models and have created this graphic, which roughly plots where we think PLIs from the PLIN sit within the framework. We thought this could help PLIs explain what they do and identify where they sit in relation to the rest of the field.
Political Leadership Accelerators (PLAs)
We realized some organizations we’d been calling Political Leadership Incubators (PLIs) were working with leaders after they’d already decided to run for office. We suggest naming these organizations Political Leadership Accelerators (PLAs). They work with political leaders from when they run for office up until they leave office, i.e., points 5 to 9 of the Political Leadership Impact Path.
Political Leadership Ecosystem Supporters
Political Leadership Ecosystem Supporters help build better political leadership in other ways, including through strategic research, funding, covening etc. They support the ecosystem as a whole, while PLIs and PLAs work with leaders before and after they’ve run for office respectively. Ecosystem Supporters can also support the work of PLIs and PLAs.
How It All Comes Together: A Political Leadership Value Chain
This image is an example of a political leadership value chain in Germany. It shows where different Political Leadership Entrepreneurship Organizations interact with the Political Leadership Impact Path. It serves as another reminder that a single organization need not work across all points. Cultivating effective political leadership can be a collaborative process.
Now, the list. Most organizations below are part of the Political Leadership Incubator Network (PLIN) that we started convening last year. We are so grateful to be constantly learning from them.
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. We offer training that provides the tools necessary to become the political leaders of tomorrow and transform their social involvement into political influence.”
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: “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.”
Alma Cívica
PLI
Paraguay
Mission: “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: “To inspire and prepare 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: “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: “We convene, train, and support the next generation of candidates and campaign staff.”
The Ascend Fund
Ecosystem Supporter
United Kingdom
Mission: “The Ascend Fund is a collaborative fund dedicated to accelerating the pace of change toward gender parity in U.S. politics. We pool philanthropic capital and make mission-driven investments in nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations that break down barriers preventing women from running for office and winning.”
Auna
PLI
Mexico
Mission: “We are 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: “Bring together young people from different parts of the political spectrum who will be the leaders of the future, and to establish a dialogue among them. We try 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 their 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 our paid programs, we teach our participants the hard skills, soft skills, and leadership fundamentals necessary to lead and win.”
Brand New Bundestag
PLI / PLA
Germany
Mission: “We find the most capable, credible people in our country. We help them to be politically successful in our 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.”
Civic Future
PLI
United Kingdom
Mission: “Civic Future will open up public life by identifying and educating talented young people in early or mid-career, as well as established leaders in the public, private and social sectors. We will establish a new talent pipeline to attract brilliant and inspirational participants from different backgrounds, and support them to become the public leaders we deserve.”
Collège Citoyen de France
PLI
France
Mission: “The new school that prepares the public leaders of tomorrow. A course of excellence, with 200 hours to develop your project of civic engagement.”
Country First Academy
PLA / PLI
United States
Mission: “A movement for those who feel politically homeless in the failed politics of today and want to bring truth and accountability back to government.”
Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD)
Ecosystem Supporter / PLA / PLI (Democracy Schools)
Netherlands
Mission: “NIMD works to promote peaceful, just and inclusive politics worldwide. Our approach across all our 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: “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. ”
ECHO Network Africa/Democracy Trust Fund Kenya
Ecosystem Supporter / PLA / PLI
Kenya
Mission: “To partner with women, (including young women, women with disabilities and women from marginalized communities) to create a better society.”
ElectHER Nigeria
PLA / PLI
Nigeria
Mission: “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: “A non-partisan organization working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office in Britain. We support women throughout their political journey up until and including standing for election and also hold events focused on bringing specific communities of women into politics, such as Women of Colour, 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: “Empowering thoughtful leaders everywhere to run for office successfully and govern effectively.”
FANTAPOLITICA!
PLA
Italy
Mission: “Political fiction! is a support platform for leftist candidates under the age of 30. It supports candidates who are eager to experiment with more participatory methods, facilitate community organizing, combine efforts for social and climate justice, and encourage youth political participation.”
Fiftys Project
PLA / PLI
Japan
Mission: “ Aiming to eliminate gender inequality in the political field, we will increase 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.”
Civix
PLI
Colombia
Mission: “We work with teachers and students to train the new generations of active, participatory citizens, committed to democracy.”
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.”
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. We want 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
PLA / PLI
Germany
Mission: “JoinPolitics empowers political talents who develop innovative solutions to the big challenges of our times and implement them politically. We support with seed capital, network and know-how.”
Kuviraa
PLI
India
Mission: “Building political engagement & leadership in young girls.”
Legisla
PLA
Brasil
Mission: “We are a non-profit and non-partisan society that works to make Brazilian politics work. We are committed to creating a virtuous circle: we bring good professionals to work in the legislative branch, making parliamentary teams more productive “
LGBTQI+ Victory Institute
PLI / PLA
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.”
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. We pave the way for new talents into politics and in doing so, we rely on more diversity in federal, state and local parliaments.”
Moremi Initiative
PLI
Operate 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: “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. We provide support through every stage of your political career—from deciding to run, to getting elected, to serving in office.”
Nosotrxs
PLA
Mexico
Mission: “We are a movement that seeks to rebuild democracy from the citizenry. Through training and collective organization, we defend and demand our rights throughout the country.”
Patchwork Foundation
PLI
United Kingdom
Mission: “We promote, encourage and support the active participation of young people from disadvantaged and minority communities in British democracy and civil society.”
Pathway to Politics Program for Women
PLI
Australia
Mission: “The Pathways to Politics Program for Women is a national, proudly non-partisan initiative that aims to change the face of politics by equipping women with the skills, knowledge, confidence and networks they need to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders. Pathway to Politics is a national network of partner programs across six Australian States and Territories.”
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: “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: “We are a political leadership collective that amplifies, engages and empowers women in politics all over Northern Ontario.”
VOTE: Women Programme by POLLICY
Ecosystem Supporter / PLI
Across Africa
Mission: “A group of technologists, data scientists, creatives and academics looking to innovate government service delivery across Africa. We work with governments, civil society, NGOs and the private sector 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, our 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: “Amplifying the voices of young women, trans and non-binary people to actively lead conversations in politics and domestic and foreign policy.”
Recambio
PLA / PLI
Peru
Mission: “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: “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: “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: “We provide 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.”
SPPG
PLI
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: “REINVENT DEMOCRACY WITH US! 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 our work.”
Unity
PLI
Caucasus Region
Mission: “We want 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 for Election Australia
PLI
Australia
Mission: “To provide non-partisan training events, workshops and networking opportunities to inspire and equip more women to run for public office in Australia.”