2026 LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
Let’s lead the change — together.
We are in a moment of profound shift.
Across the social impact sector, leaders are navigating increasing complexity, shrinking civic space, financial pressure, and urgent calls to rethink power, resources, and leadership itself.
More than ever, these challenges cannot be addressed in isolation – they require leaders to come together, learn from one another, and develop new responses collectively.
The Resource Alliance Leadership Programme convenes a diverse global community of changemakers who are committed to reimagining how our sector works and united in the belief that we can create a world grounded in purpose, social justice, and care for people and planet.
Over 12 months, we collaborate through online summits, small peer groups, and action-focused labs. Together, we are unstoppable – we can find new answers, shape practical solutions, and build a forward-looking agenda for change.
To apply to join the 2026 Leadership Programme, please email:
James Tennet, Senior Programme Curator at the Resource Alliance
📧 james@resource-alliance.org.
We ask prospective participants to apply via email first so we can build a cohort that reflects the diversity of our sector — across geography, lived experience, organisational context, and leadership perspective.
You don’t need to send a formal application, just let us know you’re interested and share a couple of sentences about your current role and background.
For every full-price registration, we offer a reduced or bursary place to a leader who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Why join the programme?
Participants join the Leadership Programme to:
- Move beyond frustration
If you feel the limits of working in isolation, this programme offers the space, support, and solidarity to create meaningful impact as a collective. - Learn from bold leaders
Gain insights from global innovators challenging traditional models and reshaping our sector. - Collaborate globally
Build deep, trust-based relationships with peers from across the world who are committed to collective action. - Create tangible change
Co-create practical tools, frameworks, and real-world strategies to apply in your leadership journey. - Drive sector transformation
Be part of a community actively working to reimagine power, resources, and narratives in our sector.
How does the programme work?
The Leadership Programme runs over 12 months and combines global learning with deep peer connection. Participants come together through:
- Leadership Summits — three online (February, May and August) and one in person at IFC 2026 in October — to explore the key themes shaping our sector.
- Small group Action Labs (c. 15 leaders) — focused on issues of shared interest and urgency. Action Labs meet online at least four times during the year, working together to co-create tools, resources and solutions to current sector challenges. Action Lab tracks are shaped by cohort priorities, typically including Fundraising Innovation and Strategy & People
- Regional Peer Leadership Groups — confidential, peer-led spaces that meet online four times during the year to support reflection, connection and practical problem-solving.
To learn more about the topics we’ll be tackling in 2026, and how these meetings are designed and delivered, explore the full programme.
Want to learn more?
Explore the achievements and outcomes of previous Leadership Programme cohorts: