Amos Trust Climate Fellowship 2025/26
Open Call

“We come here to learn because one comes to the territories to learn. We are the ones who learn; we never come to teach. Maybe sometimes we have something to share, but we almost always learn from the land; we learn from the women.”  
Ana Lucía Ixchiu, Climate Fellowship participant.

Who are we?
We are Amos Trust, a small human rights organisation dedicated to challenging injustice, building hope and creating positive change based in the UK. 

Our projects centre around promoting the rights of marginalised groups, encompassing issues related to girls and young women, advocating for Palestinian rights and addressing climate justice concerns in rural communities in Nicaragua. 

We collaborate with grassroots partners globally, leveraging local expertise to address global issues. Our work is grounded in the belief that another world, where justice prevails and every voice is heard, is possible.

The Climate Fellowship

Watch our short film about Climate Fellowship
— — — — — — —

In Mexico and Latin America, the term ‘land defenders’ refers to individuals — primarily Indigenous peoples, peasants and local communities — who resist extractive, agricultural, industrial or development projects that endanger their lands, natural resources and ways of life. For these communities, land is more than just ground; it embodies nature, culture, identity, autonomy, and collective well-being.

In addition to land defenders, climate activists in the region are playing a crucial role in addressing the multifaceted challenges of the climate crisis. Rooted in their worldviews, knowledge and lived experiences, both land defenders and climate activists are weaving vibrant, community-driven solutions to the climate crisis. 

Yet, Latin America has become one of the most dangerous regions for defending land and climate justice, particularly for women. Representing 80% of those most affected by climate change, women face heightened risks due to dominant extractivist and patriarchal systems.

In Mexico and Latin America, the term ‘land defenders’ refers to individuals — primarily Indigenous peoples, peasants and local communities — who resist extractive, agricultural, industrial or development projects that endanger their lands, natural resources and ways of life.

In response, Amos Trust launched the inaugural Climate and Gender Fellowship in 2024. This programme brought together 12 young female land defenders and climate activists from Mexico and Central America, equipping them with training and funding to implement projects to reduce women’s vulnerability to climate change, increase women’s leadership in climate action and safeguard habitats and lands under threat.

Now, in 2025, we are excited to begin the second edition of the Fellowship, hoping to support even more young women in sustaining life within their lands and advancing climate solutions in their communities.

Who are we looking to participate?

28-year-old Camila Jaber is part of the 2024/25 Climate Fellowship cohort. Camila says, “Our planet’s future is created by each one of us living in the present. My motivation is in the belief that the deeper I dive, the louder the message of water becomes.”
— — — — — — —

• This opportunity has been tailored for young female land defenders and climate activists in Mexico and Central America (Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama). Please note there is a maximum of 12 places.
  
  
• Recognising the intersectional nature of gender, we strongly encourage applications from trans women and other women within the LGBTIQ+ community, women of colour, women with disabilities, and Indigenous women.
  
  
• Participants should fall within the age range of 18 to 35 years old. Ideal candidates should propose a project idea that can be completed within a maximum time frame of six months that focuses on one or more of the following objectives: reducing women’s vulnerability to climate change, increasing their participation in climate action, or protecting threatened habitats and lands with a gender perspective. 
  
  
• Candidates should demonstrate an interest in receiving training on project management to successfully implement their proposed projects. They should also be open to participating in a collaborative learning environment alongside other fellows, where additional topics proposed by the participants will also be addressed.
  
  
• Candidates should be available to participate in an in-person learning circle with participants from both the current and previous fellowships, scheduled from 12th-16th May 2025, in Isla Arena, Campeche, Mexico, when Amos Trust will be covering the cost of transportation, accommodation and food.

Why Mexico and Central America?

Mexico and Central America are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, rising temperatures and natural disasters
— — — — — — —

Mexico and Central America experience profound gender disparities, particularly in how climate change impacts women. Patriarchal structures in the region often place a disproportionate burden on women due to their caregiving roles, dependence on land and ecological systems and limited access to decision-making spaces.

Women are frequently under-represented in climate activism and decision-making processes related to environmental policies or land protection. Those who challenge the status quo as land defenders or climate activists often face heightened risks, including violence and systemic marginalisation, as patriarchal systems perceive them as a threat.

The region is also highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, rising temperatures and natural disasters. Furthermore, extractive industries have increasingly endangered local environments and ways of life, exacerbating environmental issues, gender inequalities and placing women at greater risk.

Women are frequently under-represented in climate activism and decision-making processes related to environmental policies or land protection.

Supporting women land defenders and climate activists through this Fellowship offers an opportunity to address these challenges. By elevating their voices and fostering a network of young women united in solidarity, the programme seeks to create a more inclusive and effective response to climate injustices. This approach brings diverse perspectives and experiences to the forefront, enabling communities to collectively confront land, climate and environmental challenges.

About the programme

Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences defending their territories, advocating for climate justice
— — — — — — —

This 12-month programme is set to begin in March 2025, featuring the following key components:

1. Enhancement of Project Management Skills and Development
   During the three months, we will conduct four online training sessions to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to design and develop climate-gender projects. Participants will receive supplementary materials and mentorship as needed to support the creation of their project proposals. Following the training period, participants will have additional weeks to finalise their proposals before submitting them to the Amos team for review.
   
   
2. In-Person Learning Circle
   From 12th to 16th May, we will host an in-person learning circle in Isla Arena, Mexico, at a community-run ecotourism site. This meeting will adopt a feminist learning model, emphasising horizontal, community-based approaches rooted in dialogue, reflection, and shared learning. Participants will form a supportive community of women defending their lands, environment and climate, exchanging knowledge and experiences. The meeting will also foster collaboration between the first and second cohorts, with the first cohort sharing insights on project implementation to inspire and inform the new participants.
   
   
3. Implementation of Youth-Led Climate Projects
   Participants will have six months, starting in July, to implement their projects. Each project will be supported with a budget of up to $2,500 USD per participant, divided into two payments. The second payment will be contingent on the submission of a progress report after three months. A final report will be required upon completion of the project implementation.
   
   
4. Ongoing Capacity Building
   Throughout the six months of project implementation, we will host additional online sessions to address specific needs identified during the registration process. These sessions may feature guest speakers or encourage peer-to-peer learning among participants. The Amos team may also visit some selected projects to gain deeper insights into the processes and learnings within the participants’ communities.
   
   
5. Amplification of Voices and Narratives
   Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences defending their territories, advocating for climate justice, and implementing their projects through platforms such as conferences, presentations, podcasts, blogs, and other storytelling opportunities.
   
   
6. Creation of a Youth Women Climate Network
   We believe in the power of ‘holding together’. This programme aims to foster a space that promotes a sense of belonging, collective strength, and resilience, building a network of young women united in their commitment to climate action and land defence.

Youth-led Climate Projects

A sign reads, “The Government and San Gerardo Pollute”
— — — — — — —

The Fellowship will support the implementation of 12 climate-gender projects, each with a maximum budget of $2,500 USD. Eligible projects must align with at least one of the following characteristics:

1. Reducing Women’s Climate Vulnerability
   Projects that provide knowledge, resources, or tools to help women adapt to the impacts of climate change and strengthen their resilience.
   
   
2. Increasing Women’s Participation in Climate Action and Land Defence
   Initiatives that amplify women’s voices, provide resources or build capacity to enhance their involvement in climate action or advocacy for the protection of their lands.
   
   
3. Safeguarding Habitats and Lands with a Gender Perspective
   Projects aimed at protecting natural ecosystems and lands from threats like deforestation or displacement, while recognising and supporting women’s pivotal roles in conservation and ensuring their leadership in community-driven solutions.

Project Stages
Projects can be existing initiatives seeking to elevate their impact to the next level or new ideas that lack the necessary resources for implementation.

Project Sustainability
Proposals should clearly outline how the project intends to sustain its impacts beyond the six-month implementation period.

We would not support projects that are solely research-related.

How can I join?

Sinai Gómez from Mexico is part of the 2024/25 Climate Fellowship. She said, “I believe in networks of solidarity and care exchange to support and sustain our collective resistance.”
— — — — — — —

If you wish to be part of the Climate Fellowship 2025/26, we encourage you to indicate your interest by completing our application form available here.

We are excited to learn more about you and your enthusiasm for the programme! The application deadline is Sunday 9th February 2025, with the programme scheduled to start in March 2025.

If you have any inquiries about the programme, please feel free to reach out to Alexia Lizarraga Quintero, our Partnerships and Climate Fellowship Manager, via email at [email protected]