The YCompassion Leadership Programme is an experiential course designed for international development and social impact professionals looking to:
Integrate compassionate leadership approaches in their day-to-day work.
Reconnect with their purpose and values.
Advocate for and contribute to a more compassionate, impactful sector.
Connecting Our Why & How
People drawn to development and impact are often inherently empathetic and care deeply about building a more equitable world. But the pursuit of change can be tiring, and with experience comes more profound questions like:
“How do I lead in a system where power imbalances make it hard to stay true to my values?”
“How do I give my all to the work that I care so deeply about, without compromising my own energy and wellbeing?”
“As an individual, how can I help influence larger systems to adopt more caring and equitable approaches?”
In a sector where compassion often fuels why we do this work, what if we could also use it to take better care of ourselves, those around us, and the systems we’re part of?
The YCompassion Leadership Programme
Compassion isn’t just something we feel; research shows that it is an evidence-based leadership approach that creates meaningful results. The YCompassion Leadership Programme is designed to help you integrate compassion into your daily life - influencing how you lead, how you feel, and the systems you work in.
"As international development professionals, we want to create an experience and interaction out of respect, dignity, and compassion for others."
Tom Wein
Director, Dignity
Initiative, IDinsight
What does the programme offer?
The programme is made for international development and social impact professionals in their first or second leadership position, offering:
Live Learning Sessions
Six virtual sessions covering the essential modules of compassionate leadership, delivered live by Certified Coach and YCompassion Founder, Signe.
Peer Learning
Two virtual compassion-in-action ‘Leadership Labs’ that provide space for you to experiment with evidence-based approaches alongside your cohort of peers.
Resources
Practical tools and reflective models designed for real-world application.
1:1 Coaching & Project Plan
A project plan for your tailored compassion-in-action project and a 1:1 coaching session to help explore your focus area.
Community
A safe community where you can discuss new tools and ideas outside of the pressure of your work environment.
Compassion in Action
By the end of the programme, what skills will I have gained?
Structured around the Compassionate Leadership Map for Social Impact - a framework informed by evidence-based practices, coaching methodologies, and insights from over 150 international development leaders - the programme is designed to:
Develop your confidence in leading with compassion without compromising effectiveness.
Provide you with the practical tools for managing teams, partners, and projects with care.
Help you embed strategies to prevent burnout and sustain your leadership energy.
Connect you with a growing network of compassionate international development leaders.
Learning Journey
Module One: Foundations of Compassionate Leadership for Impact
Understand the core concepts of compassionate leadership, which are rooted in evidence-based practices inspired by Stanford University’s teachings, and coaching approaches approved by the International Coaching Federation.
Module Two: Anchoring in Purpose
Reconnect with the values that drive your work, and apply them to daily tasks and decision-making processes.
Module Three: Cultivating Compassionate Teamwork
Learn how to deliver feedback effectively, develop conflict resolution skills, and establish team rituals that deepen trust.
Module Four: Restoring Balance for Resilient Leadership
Recognise signs of burnout and practice setting boundaries that support and protect your wellbeing.
Module Five: Expanding Possibility Through Co-Creation
Practice inclusive contracting, develop conflict resolution strategies, and learn coaching skills that empower local stakeholders.
Module Six: Your Vision as a Compassionate Leader
Translate compassionate practices into tangible, real-world projects that are bespoke to your work, and begin building a board of advisors to support your ongoing leadership journey.
Is the programme right for me?
The programme is designed for international development and social impact professionals in the emerging stages of their leadership journey. Whether you're in your first or second leadership position, the programme will complement your technical expertise with human-centred leadership skills that support you to lead projects, teams, and partnerships.
We welcome participants from organisations such as:
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International development agencies
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Nonprofits and community organisations
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Government agencies and policy departments
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Philanthropy organisations
Programme Timings
Cohort One
Beginning on April 4th 2025, you’ll participate in fortnightly sessions on Thursdays from 3 to 5pm BST / 10 to 12am EST.
Cohort Two
Beginning on May 1st 2025, you’ll participate in weekly sessions on Wednesdays from 3 to 5pm BST / 10 to 12am EST.
Attend an Exploratory Call
If you’d like to find out more about the programme and ask more detailed questions, schedule an exploration call:
Hi, I'm Signe
Signe is the founder of YCompassion and a certified coach. With over a decade of experience in international development, she has worked with organisations such as the World Bank, Overseas Development Institute, and Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative.
“After more than a decade working in international development, I remain struck by its complexity and potential. I admire the passion of the people involved—individuals committed to solving some of the world's toughest challenges. But I’ve also witnessed the toll it can take and experienced it myself.
The YCompassion Leadership Programme is for those who feel the disconnect between the values the sector champions and how it operates. It is an invitation to continue that conversation together, exploring how to build compassionate cultures so that we can do better – not just for the governments and communities we serve but also for the people doing the work and for ourselves.”
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How much does the programme cost?The YCompassion Leadership Programme is valued at $1,100. However, initial cohorts receive a discounted pilot price of $390 in exchange for feedback that will help improve future offerings. We completely understand that investing in your professional development is an important decision, and that for some, it may not be the right time. However, for others, it may be arriving at exactly the right moment, especially if you want to cultivate active hope amidst uncertainty. We encourage you to explore employer sponsorship. Many organisations recognise the value of investing in their staff’s personal and professional growth. If you’d like guidance on approaching your employer, we’re happy to help.
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How much time do I need to dedicate to the programme?Navigating the complexities of the international development and social impact sector is no easy task, and it may seem that there is no time for professional development. The core components of the YCompassion Leadership Programme require a commitment of 20 hours, which is spread over three months. In that time, you’ll learn the core concepts of compassionate leadership and experiment with evidence-based approaches alongside a curated cohort of like-minded peers.
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Is the course live? How long will I have access to the materials?This is a live, virtual course, and we record all of our sessions. You will have access to all of the recordings until six weeks after the final session has taken place. We encourage you to attend the sessions live, but we understand that life can sometimes get in the way—in which case, we will share the session recording with you.
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What are the exact dates of the programme?Cohort 1: Fortnightly sessions take place on Thursdays at 3-5 pm BST // 4-6 pm CEST // 10-12 am EDT // 5-7 pm EAT The sessions are held every second week, except for the final two sessions, which are scheduled one week apart. Module 1: 4 April 2025 Module 2: 17 April 2025 Module 3: 1 May 2025 Compassion-in-action leadership lab: 15 May 2025 Module 4: 29 May 2025 Module 5: 12 June 2025 Compassion-in-action leadership lab: 26 June 2025 Module 6: 3 July 2025 Cohort 2: Weekly sessions take place on Wednesdays at 3-5 pm BST // 4-6 pm CEST // 10-12 am EDT // 5-7 pm EAT Module 1: 7 May 2025 Module 2: 14 May 2025 Module 3: 21 May 2025 Compassion-in-action leadership lab: 28 May 2025 Module 4: 4 June 2025 Module 5: 11 June 2025 Compassion-in-action leadership lab: 18 June 2025 Module 6: 25 June 2025
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What happens when the programme is concluded?We will schedule a cohort check in three months after the programme has concluded, giving you a chance to reconnect with peers and share what you have learned.
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Do you offer scholarships?We offer two scholarships per cohort, with fully funded places available for participants who would otherwise be unable to join the programme. Please complete this form to apply.
If you have any further questions about the programme or the application process, please contact us.
Our clients and learning partners include:
Ready to take part?
If you’re ready to begin exploring evidence-based approaches to compassionate leadership, we warmly invite you to apply to join the YCompassion Leadership Programme, where you will:
Take part in six virtual modules and two Leadership Labs, delivered live by Certified Coach and YCompassion Founder, Signe.
Gain access to practical tools and models designed for real-world application and informed by evidence-based practices.
Develop a project plan for your tailored compassion-in-action project and receive a 1:1 coaching session to help explore your focus area.
Join a community of international development and social impact professionals who are also interested in placing compassion at the centre of their work.
We keep our cohorts small to create a meaningful learning space. Join the waitlist to be among the first invited to apply.
“Understanding and practising compassion towards myself is key
to being compassionate with others.”
Malavika Divakaran
Centre for Disease Control & Prevention