2025 Western Union Global Fellowship Program

Omran Aburayya
May 2
3 min read

If you're an entrepreneur or community leader from a marginalized, refugee, or displaced background, the 2025 Western Union Global Fellowship Program offers a transformative opportunity to scale your impact. Applications are now open for this fully-funded, 16-week virtual fellowship designed to empower changemakers worldwide.

🌍 Fellowship Summary

Location: Virtual (Global)
Host Institution: Watson Institute, in partnership with the Western Union Foundation
Programme Type: Entrepreneurial Development Program
Target Group: Entrepreneurs and community leaders from marginalized, refugee, or displaced communities
Fields of Focus: Social Entrepreneurship, Community Development, Leadership
Coverage: Fully funded; includes training, mentorship, stipends, and resources
Duration: August 25 – December 16, 2025
Application Deadline: Priority deadline July 1, 2025; rolling admissions thereafter
Eligible To: Applicants from or impacting communities in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States.

📚 Fellowship Overview

The Western Union Global Fellowship Program is a comprehensive 16-week virtual accelerator designed to support entrepreneurs leading ventures that serve marginalized, refugee, or displaced communities. Fellows will engage in a structured curriculum that includes:

Virtual Workshops: Interactive sessions focusing on strategic planning, venture development, and leadership skills.
Basecamp: A 1–3 day community workshop led by Fellows to empower local changemakers.
Virtual Summit: A platform to pitch ventures to a global audience of leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs.
Community Development Stipend: Financial support to plan and execute the Basecamp workshop.

The program runs from August 25 to December 16, 2025, with weekly sessions held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM MT (GMT-6), totaling 8–10 hours per week.

💡 Fellowship Benefits

Training & Skill Development: Gain essential skills in strategic planning, venture development, and problem-solving.
Mentorship & Expert Guidance: Receive one-on-one mentorship and participate in group mentorship circles.
Pitch Development & Professional Recording: Refine your venture's pitch and create a professionally recorded video.
Community & Network Expansion: Join a dynamic community of impact-driven entrepreneurs and changemakers.
Visibility & Collaboration: Share your work through Watson Institute summits and connect with mission-aligned leaders.
Real-World Experience Through Basecamp: Design and lead a community event with provided training and resources.
Community Development Stipend: Receive financial support to plan and execute your Basecamp workshop.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

Identify with or support marginalized, refugee, or displaced communities.
Lead a nonprofit or for-profit organization with an established business model.
Demonstrate a commitment to scaling impact within underserved communities.
Be located in or creating impact in one of the priority countries.

📝 Application Procedure

Application Process:

Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form by the priority deadline of July 1, 2025.
Application Review: The Admissions Committee will evaluate applications based on the scalability and potential impact of the venture.
Interview: Selected candidates will be invited for a 20-minute Zoom interview to discuss their venture and alignment with the fellowship.
Final Selection & Enrollment: Final decisions will be announced by July 25, 2025. Accepted applicants must confirm their enrollment to secure their spot.