The WIN Fund
Opening Doors. Awakening Potential. Creating the Future Together.
A global culture of Generosity extends via the WIN Fund
Generosity has always been at the heart of WIN as, together, we create the conditions for human flourishing in the world, at work, and in our lives. Since 1997, our conferences and Global High-Level Gatherings have been far more than standalone events, they are the principal way we bring our vision to life: awakening leadership, connecting people across cultures and sectors, and empowering individuals, organisations, and societies to flourish, beginning with women.
The WIN Fund extends that same spirit by expanding opportunities for even more women to learn, lead, and create positive change.Over the past 29 years, WIN has invested well over CHF 2.5 million in scholarships, subsidised participation, leadership programmes, accommodation, hospitality, mentoring, and women-led initiatives worldwide.Beyond financial support, WIN has cultivated a culture of generosity through which thousands of women have benefited from mentoring, coaching, knowledge sharing, and professional guidance.
It has also trained hundreds of leaders in the WIN Way, empowering them to create new networks, leadership programmes, communities, and events in their own countries.Experienced leaders have freely shared their wisdom, time, and expertise, inspiring and supporting the next generation while creating a ripple effect across organisations, communities, and countries.
Many of these mentors first came to WIN as participants or scholarship recipients themselves, creating a continuous cycle of learning, leadership, generosity, and service that strengthens the WIN community and extends its impact from one generation of leaders to the next.
How You Can Be Part of It
The WIN Fund thrives through the generosity, commitment, and participation of our global community. Whether you are seeking support or would like to help create opportunities for others, there are many ways to become part of this shared journey.
1. Apply for a Scholarship
For women who demonstrate leadership potential, financial need, and a commitment to creating positive change.Scholarships may include:Full or partial conference participation
Leadership learning opportunities
Mentoring and community connections
3. Support Another Woman
Every contribution creates opportunity.
Support a scholarship.
Sponsor a participant.
Contribute to leadership development.
Help a woman attend WIN who otherwise could not.
→ Donate to the WIN Fund
2. Sisterhood & Host Country Tickets
Because leadership should be accessible.
Through the generosity of the WIN community, a limited number of subsidised Sisterhood Tickets and Host Country Tickets are made available each year to help expand participation and ensure diverse voices are represented.
4. Support Women's Initiatives Worldwide
The WIN Fund also supports selected women-led projects that create lasting impact in local communities.
Many of these initiatives are developed by former scholarship recipients and members of the WIN community who return home inspired to create positive change.
→ Discover Our Projects
(Then Burundi, Cameroon, India etc.)
Women Creating the Future
WIN Initiatives
Women of the WIN community around the world are creating initiatives that improve the lives of women, girls, families, organisations, and communities. The impact of the WIN Fund extends far beyond scholarships and conference participation, supporting women as they transform ideas into action and create lasting positive change.
Many of these initiatives have been supported by WIN through sponsorship, mentoring, guidance, and, above all, the inspiration, learning, connections, and confidence gained through the WIN experience. By supporting these initiatives, we continue to extend the ripple effect of leadership, generosity, and positive change.
If you know of a project that aligns with the WIN mission and could benefit from support through the WIN Fund, we would love to hear from you. Likewise, if your initiative has been inspired or strengthened through WIN, we would be delighted to hear your story and share it with our global community. Please write to info AT winconference.net.
Examples of a few WIN Funded Initiatives:
Cameroon
Women Foundation Nepal
Nepal
Daughters of Kenya
Kenya
This platform brings together around 100 women and men of all generations for three days of learning, sharing of experiences, good practices, and networking for the advancement of women. The main goal has been to develop the potential of women and young women, without any discrimination in social status, so that they can become the main actors of their own development and help raise up their families, their communities, and their organisations.
Founded by Bandita Thapa, Women Foundation Nepal focuses on first empowering and finally improving the existing support system of deprived and marginalized communities through education, empowerment as well as ensuring entrepreneurship opportunity in Nepal.
Daughters of Kenya is a non-profit organization working towards improving the lives of vulnerable girls and young mothers in Kenya. They work to ensure that every orphaned and vulnerable girl is able to experience the love and security that only a family can provide. Their mission focuses on education, ending violence against children and economic sustainability.
Global Foundation for Women & Development
Ghana
Scholarships, Sisterhood & Host Country Tickets
The WIN Fund exists to open doors for women with the passion and potential to create positive change in the world, at work and in their communities.
Through Scholarships, Sisterhood Tickets, and Host Country Tickets, we seek to make the WIN experience accessible to talented women from diverse backgrounds and economic circumstances.
Over the past 29 years, WIN has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships and subsidised places, enabling women from around the world to learn, connect, grow, and create lasting impact in their organisations, communities, and beyond. As Kristin Engvig, WIN Founder, often says:"Sharing and caring brings joy and evolution. It is part of the 'new' way of being that WIN is exemplifying, role modelling, and pioneering.
Talent
We look for women with the potential to lead.
diversity
We look to bring different nationalities to WIN to reinforce the global vision.
support
We look to support and inspire women in challenging economic circumstances.
knowledge
We look to exchange knowledge and experiences.
active
We look for women who want to be active participants in WIN programmes.
fresh
We look for women who bring new ideas, opinions and experiences.
Scholarships, Sisterhood & Host Country Tickets
Sisterhood & Host Country Tickets
Reflecting WIN's culture of generosity, and thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors, donors, and the wider WIN community, a limited number of subsidised tickets are made available each year.
Host Country Tickets
To encourage participation from the host country, a limited number of tickets are offered at 50% of the full participation fee.
These tickets include the complete WIN experience, including the learning programme, workshops, forums, coaching sessions, networking events, celebrations, and learning materials.
To apply, please email: [participant ATwinconference.net] and include proof of residence in the host country (for example, a copy or photograph of your identity card or residence permit).
Sisterhood Tickets
A limited number of highly subsidised Sisterhood Tickets are available for women who would otherwise be unable to participate.
These tickets include access to the main learning programme and selected networking experiences.
Availability varies each year depending on the resources available through the WIN Fund.
To apply, please email participant AT winconference.net including:
- your full name and date of birth;
- a short introduction to yourself;
- why you would like to participate;
- why financial support is needed;
- how you believe the WIN experience will benefit you, your organisation or community, and the lives you hope to touch afterwards.
Tickets are awarded on a rolling basis, subject to availability.
Scholarships
WIN Scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process to women who demonstrate leadership potential, financial need, and a strong commitment to creating positive change within their organisations, communities, or countries.
Scholarships normally support participation in the WIN Global High-Level Gathering and, where applicable, selected regional WIN gatherings, leadership programmes, and learning events.
They typically include access to the learning programme, networking opportunities, lunches, coffee breaks, and social events. Where possible, WIN also provides visa support and, in selected cases, contributes towards travel or accommodation. The level of support varies from year to year depending on the resources available through the WIN Fund.
To apply, please email: participant ATwinconference.net with:
- your motivation for joining the WIN experience;
- how you hope to contribute to the WIN community;
- how the experience will benefit you, your organisation, or your community;
- a brief explanation of your financial circumstances and need for support;
- your CV or short biography.Applications for Scholarships,
Sisterhood Tickets, and Host Country Tickets are open from **6 June until 1 September.As resources are limited, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Gratitude
The WIN Fund is made possible by a global culture of generosity.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who lives the WIN Way by sharing their time, wisdom, encouragement, and resources in support of others.
Much of the impact created through WIN unfolds quietly, through countless ripple effects we may never fully see.
We feel gratefulness in our hearts for the many women touched and the companies changed, and initiatives born, nurtured and grown.
*****
Today, we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the following individuals for their recent generosity and support of the WIN Fund. Your contribution is helping to open doors, awaken potential, and create the future together.
The de Groot Foundation
Sandra Häfliger
Silke Schäfer
Sile O'Broin
Gabrielle Kluck
Steliana Van de Rijt-Economu
Ramune Lekamviciute
Margrit Mau
Olga Schejerbeck
Simone Poletto