Next round of GRAPE applicants invited

The Global Reformed Platforms for Engagement (GRAPE) programme is looking for its next round of participants from Kenya and South Africa.

The magnitude and intricacy of the inequitable economic system, coupled with the escalating climate breakdown, necessitate a paradigm shift. The GRAPE initiative endeavors to tackle the root causes of these challenges, leveraging the distinctive position of the church as a local force and a participant in regional and global communion.

Under the GRAPE programme, local World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) congregations are establishing an inclusive platform that bridges ecumenical, interfaith, and civil society realms to participate in an advocacy campaign. The African Communion of Reformed Churches has already initiated this process in two countries, Kenya and South Africa, in 2022.

The GRAPE programme welcomes five new trainees annually. Applicants must be residents of either Kenya or South Africa and can be from WCRC member churches, ecumenical and interfaith networks, civil society organizations, or government.

Prospective participants are expected to possess both experience and motivation in addressing social and economic justice issues, engaging in advocacy within their respective contexts. Importantly, they should operate or wield influence at a strategic level, capable of making a meaningful impact.

Successful candidates should therefore have a background and openness to
learn in the following fields:

• experience in advocacy/policy debates
• research background / interest
• interest in economic and sociological concepts
• experience in contextual theology
• good standing in church/community
• highly motivated to strive for excellence in the team
• time commitment of actively participating in three workshops and
• be able to dedicate about one day per week for the next 18
  months to work on the GRAPE programme

The WCRC fully sponsors the training, encompassing tuition fees, accommodations (single rooms with breakfast and all meals), roundtrip economy flight tickets between the participant’s home country’s international airport and the regional seminar location, as well as certain activities and local transportation within the programme. Participants are equipped with a tablet and data for online meetings, where adherence to camera usage is required throughout.

Applications are due by 11 February. Instructions for submission are contained in the training program application form.

• Download the GRAPE introductory brochure (PDF)
• Download the GRAPE training program application form (Excel)