Poder Latinx Opens Applications for National Fellowship, Training the Next Generation of Latina Leaders to Tackle Energy Costs and Climate Challenges
Washington, D.C. — At a time when Latino families are facing rising energy costs, intensifying climate impacts, and critical decisions shaping their economic future, Poder Latinx today announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Poderosas Fellowship (Cohort VI), a nationally recognized leadership program preparing young Latinas to step into civic and political leadership.
The new cohort will launch in May 2026 and run through February 2027, marking the first time the fellowship will center its curriculum on energy justice, affordability, and environmental and climate leadership, issues disproportionately impacting Latino communities across the country. Since its inception in 2020, the Poderosas Fellowship has trained Latinas to civically engage and build electoral power across a range of issues, and as communities increasingly face extreme weather and rising energy costs, this expanded focus reflects the urgent need to advance climate, environmental, and economic justice while continuing to uplift broader priorities affecting Latino families.
As the fastest-growing voting population in the United States, Latinas are poised to play a defining role in shaping the nation’s future. The Poderosas Fellowship was created to ensure young Latina leaders are equipped with the tools, training, and network to turn that potential into lasting civic power.
“The future of our democracy depends on leaders who reflect and understand the communities most impacted by today’s challenges,” said Yadira Sánchez, Executive Director of Poder Latinx. “Latinas are already leading in their homes and communities, and the Poderosas Fellowship helps transform that leadership into civic and political power. By investing in these young leaders, we are strengthening representation and ensuring our communities have a voice in decisions that affect their economic security, their environment, and their future.”
Twenty fellows will be selected for this highly competitive program, joining a growing national network of Latina civic leaders. Fellows receive hands-on training in community organizing, media engagement, digital and field campaign strategy, and voter outreach. They will lead civic engagement efforts in their communities, expand voter participation, and organize conversations around the issues most impacting Latino families.
Participants are recruited primarily from key states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Washington, California, Texas, and North Carolina — regions where Latino civic participation is rapidly expanding and increasingly influential.
Since its launch, the Poderosas Fellowship has helped develop a pipeline of more than 80 Latina leaders who have been mobilizing voters, advocating for their communities, and stepping into leadership roles across the civic and political landscape.
Young Latinas passionate about strengthening democracy, advancing energy and climate justice, and creating change in their communities are encouraged to apply HERE. The application period will be open until March 31st.
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