**Update: Deadline for applications have been extended. Apply by Friday, June 30.
Applications for the seventh Network Leadership Institute (NLI) are open.
Organized by Food Solutions New England (FSNE), the NLI immerses participants in a 10-month, highly experiential, intensive series of retreats designed to maximize learning and growth, reflection and connection, and inspiration and renewal. It provides leaders from all backgrounds an opportunity to contribute to FSNE’s vision of building a powerful food movement that democratically transforms New England’s food systems to be more just, sustainable, and resilient.
“The NLI was my gateway into the bioregional food system,” says Lisa Masé, board certified nutritionist, health coach, herbalist and a member of the second NLI cohort. “After the experience, I felt I had the colleagues, resources, and networks to help change the food system to be more local and equitable.”
Through the NLI, Food Solutions New England’s goal is to recruit a diverse cohort of food system leaders who represent the remarkable leadership potential embedded within the New England region. With the program they hope to nourish connections and learning among the group and the growing FSNE network.
“Participating in the NLI provides a chance to connect with individuals who are rooted in the FSNE network values of democratic empowerment, equity and dignity for all, sustainability, and trust.” says Sandra Aronson, program coordinator with Food Solutions New England. “Cohort members can build meaningful relationships and explore new opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, and personal growth with fellow participants, guest speakers, NLI alums, and others in the FSNE network.”
The past six cohorts have had over 104 food system leaders from throughout New England participate and over 55 local, regional, and national panelists and trainers contribute to the curriculum. During their time as part of NLI, cohort members focus on building skills in facilitative leadership, network leadership and development, stakeholder engagement, collaboration and network weaving, creating cultures of belonging and seeing and playing with and in systems.
“The NLI is an opportunity to learn what is often seen as the “soft skills” that are so crucial to work for meaningful change in food and related systems,” says Curtis Ogden, senior associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change and one of the organizers of the NLI. “Each cohort is diverse in many ways and becomes a unique and valuable learning lab in and of itself.”
To learn more about the NLI, who should consider applying, and other frequently asked questions, visit https://fsne.info/NLI. To begin an application visit https://fsne.info/nli2023app.
