FARAH PAHLAVI’S WAY
The approach adopted by Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi was innovative, not because of the content or thematic areas covered, but rather because of the underlying principles that guided every single initiative prompted and promoted throughout the last decades. Farah Pahlavi’s Way is a set of principles that have inspired generations globally and positioned Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi as a reference in philanthropy, culture, social impact, and societal progress.
The Foundation adopts Farah Pahlavi’s Way in all its operations and philanthropic activities, which are rooted in the following seven elements:
Empathy: Placing understanding and compassion at the forefront of all initiatives.
Leading by example: Upholding the highest integrity, transparency, and innovation standards in all endeavours.
Sports as an enabler: Using sports as a medium for empowerment, unity, and personal growth.
Future proofing: Investing in long-term sustainability and equipping future generations with the tools to thrive.
Selflessness: Prioritising the well-being and success of others above personal gain.
Togetherness: Strengthening community bonds, promoting unity, and fostering collaboration and dialogue.
Positivity: Cultivating hope and optimism in all initiatives, inspiring beneficiaries and stakeholders to envision brighter futures.
PHILANTHROPIC INSTRUMENTS
The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation adopts a range of various philanthropic instruments. When implemented strategically and in partnership with other organisations, these tools can address immediate needs and long-term goals, ensuring a holistic approach to philanthropy.
Grants: A grant is a non-repayable financial support the Foundation provides to a specific project, programme, or initiative. Grants can provide targeted support for community programmes, organisations, and initiatives that address challenges within the thematic areas that the Foundation targets.
Scholarships / Fellowship: A scholarship consists of financial support granted to individuals to support their education, research, or career. Scholarships are provided based on various criteria, such as academic merit, financial need, athletic ability, artistic talent, leadership qualities, or other specific attributes. Scholarships empower individuals by removing financial barriers to learning and skill development. Scholarships awarded by the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation target future leaders, ensuring they have the tools to contribute meaningfully to their communities. The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation strengthens its position in the foundational landscape by offering scholarships through a structured fellowship programme. This approach ensures a well-defined framework for supporting the participants.
By employing these instruments, the Foundation simultaneously addresses systemic issues (through grants), empowers individuals and fosters innovation and leadership (through scholarships/fellowship).
THEMATIC AREAS
The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation operates across concrete thematic areas which are inspired by the legacy of the work of Her Majesty over the past decades:
Women empowerment: To empower and uplift women worldwide by promoting their active participation in entrepreneurship, education, sports, leadership, and civic engagement. This thematic area aims to enable women to become change agents in their communities and industries, bridge gender gaps in education, economic participation, leadership and society, and foster resilience, confidence, and agency in women across diverse contexts.
Arts and Culture: To promote and preserve the richness of Iranian arts, culture, and history while elevating it to a global stage, fostering cross-dialogue, understanding, and appreciation among diverse audiences. The work in this thematic area aims to foster a deeper appreciation of Iranian heritage worldwide, create opportunities for cultural exchange and cross-dialogue, bridge divides and. promote understanding, and protect and elevate Iranian culture for future generations.
By focusing on Women’s Empowerment and Arts and Culture, the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation aligns its efforts to create a world where cultural heritage is preserved and women are empowered to lead in tackling humanity’s most significant challenges. The Foundation can operate and contribute to initiatives in other thematic areas as it identifies an opportunity to have a global impact.
All the philanthropic activities of the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation are exclusively oriented towards one of its two strategic objectives, each aligned with each thematic area of focus: Arts and Culture and Women Empowerment. Beneficiaries engage with the Foundation through one of its philanthropic instruments: grants and/or scholarships, through a structured approach such as fellowships. Most philanthropic activities are done in partnership with other like-minded global organisations with whom the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi partners to pursue its strategic objectives.
PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES
1. Farah Pahlavi Fellowship for a Brighter Future
The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation will focus the first three years of its philanthropic initiatives on the launch and implementation of the Farah Pahlavi Fellowship for a Brighter Future. This fellowship is rooted in the Foundation’s mission of inspiring the global advancement of social and cultural causes through the legacy of Farah Pahlavi’s guiding principles of empathy and cross-cultural dialogue.
The Farah Pahlavi Fellowship for a Brighter Future targets women from around the world who are leading initiatives in the areas of culture and arts, climate science, education, public health, media and entertainment, civil society, sports, social sciences, and general, committed to advancing the common good. The fellowship aims to inspire young female leaders about the importance of the principles promoted by Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi during the past decades – empathy, leading by example, selflessness, togetherness, and positivity – and equip them to adopt such principles in their entrepreneurial and civic initiatives.
The Farah Pahlavi Fellowship for a Brighter Future consists of a community of young female leaders worldwide. The fellows gather annually during an in-person week-long event – the Annual Residency - in a rotating location. Based on the location of the Annual Residency, the Foundation will partner with local Foundations, Research Institutes, Academic partners, local authorities and stakeholders. These collaborations will further strengthen the positioning of the Foundation at a global level.
As a community of female leaders, participants will continuously engage and access the network of fellows and stakeholders, benefit from exchange and network opportunities, and amplify the legacy of Her Majesty and Farah Pahlavi’s Way across their networks and circles.
Eligibility criteria of participants:
• Women of standing.
• From any country in the world.
• Founders, CEOs, leaders, or senior team members in their organisations/initiatives.
• Applying an individual capacity as part of their leadership work within an organisation/initiative.
• The organisation/initiative must have been active with tested proof of concept and track record in impact or implementation.
• Operating in one of the thematic areas targeted by the fellowship: culture and arts, climate science, education, public health, media and entertainment, civil society, sports, and social sciences.
Programme structure: The fellowship consists of one in-person annual residency and various asynchronous events throughout the year. The entire duration of the fellowship is one year. Once a participant is a fellow, they will be forever a fellow with access to all asynchronous events.
Annual in-person residency: • Participate in tailored workshops and skill-building trainings • Take part in an immersive, hands-on programme to reflect on their initiatives • Embark on peer exchanges to learn from others • Dive deep into new frameworks to reflect on their leadership journey • Access to new cultural and cross-dialogue experiences • Meet and exchange with Her Majesty Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi
Monetary incentive: The Farah Pahlavi Fellowship for a Brighter Future covers travel and accommodation expenses related to the in-person residency at no cost to participants. The fellowship provides nominal direct financial support or a stipend for fellows.
Programme governance: The governance of the fellowship will be overseen by the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation Executive Board.
2. The Global Initiative
The Shahbanou Global Initiative is the international engagement platform of the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation. It is a catalyst for action, mobilising volunteers, leaders, and institutions to collaborate on arts, education, women’s empowerment, and public service.
With regional hubs in the USA, UAE, and Europe, this initiative strengthens the Foundation’s global presence. It increases visibility and accessibility, fostering new partnerships and initiatives aligning with the Foundation’s mission. This initiative aims to promote knowledge exchange and international cooperation, ensuring that the Foundation’s values transcend borders. It creates a network of supporters, scholars, and entrepreneurs who contribute to the advancement of cross-cultural dialogue and social progress.
The Shahbanou Global Initiative advances the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation’s work by:
• Hosting high-impact global conferences and thematic discussions.
• Establishing international partnerships with leading academic, cultural, and civic institutions.
• Supporting community-led projects and volunteer-driven initiatives.
• Strengthening fundraising efforts and engagement strategies to support the Foundation’s programmes.
Programme structure: The Shahbanou Global Initiative operates through an integrated framework that allows for both large-scale global initiatives and localised impact. Its structure is designed to foster collaboration, advocacy, and action-oriented programming.
• International conference: An event where experts, policymakers, artists, and entrepreneurs discuss critical global challenges and propose actionable solutions. This conference serves as a platform for thought leadership and high-level dialogue, creating direct links between policy, academia, and grassroots initiatives.
• Global engagement initiatives: Facilitates academic and cultural exchanges, bringing together researchers, civic leaders, and
institutions to develop cross-disciplinary programmes and collaborative projects.
• Community-based programmes: Supports and initiates grassroots cultural and civic programmes, including artistic residencies, educational fellowships, and volunteer-driven social impact projects to ensure the Foundation’s work is accessible to diverse communities.
• Project support and advocacy: Provides scholarships, research funding, and institutional grants, supporting initiatives that align with the Foundation’s values. It also raises awareness through exhibitions, publications, and digital campaigns, amplifying key cultural and humanitarian issues.
• Volunteer and membership programmes: A global membership network enables individuals to engage with the Shahbanou Global Initiative through mentorship programmes, exclusive events, and leadership opportunities. The volunteer network mobilises young professionals, academics, and philanthropists to advocate for the Foundation’s mission worldwide.
Programme governance: The Shahbanou Global Initiative is structured to ensure regional autonomy while maintaining alignment with the Foundation’s strategic objectives. Its governance framework provides oversight while allowing flexibility for localised initiatives.
The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation Executive Board oversees The Shahbanou Global Initiative’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s core values. Regional Committees manage The Shahbanou Global Initiative’s presence in key global hubs, including the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation Americas and Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation Middle East. These committees oversee partnerships, programme development, and implementation. The Shahbanou Global Initiative will collaborate with key institutions and partners, including relevant examples such as the Farhang Foundation, Columbia Global Centers, and other cultural and philanthropic organisations.
Eligibility criteria: The Shahbanou Global Initiative is open to individuals, organisations, and institutions contributing to cross-cultural collaboration, civic engagement, and knowledge-sharing.
• Individuals: Scholars, artists, educators, civic leaders, and philanthropists engaged in the Shahbanou Global Initiative’s thematic areas.
• Organisations: Cultural institutions, NGOs, universities, and governmental bodies that promote international collaboration, education, and public engagement.
• Partnerships: Entities that wish to co-develop programmes, fund initiatives, or contribute expertise to the Shahbanou Global Initiative’s global network.
3. The Annual Award
The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation Annual Award is a prize recognising outstanding contributions in Public Service, Arts and Culture, and Youth Leadership. It is part of the Shahbanou Global Initiative, designed to honour individuals and institutions that have made a lasting impact in these fields.
The award provides global recognition, institutional support, and funding opportunities to further their work. The award aims to celebrate excellence, encourage social impact, and amplify transformative initiatives that align with the Foundation’s core values of empathy, leadership, and cross-cultural engagement.
Programme structure: The Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation Annual Award follows a structured selection and presentation process:
• Nomination and selection process: A global call for nominations is launched, inviting recommendations from institutions and individuals.
• Jury evaluation: A panel of experts in public service, arts, and cultural diplomacy reviews nominations, assessing impact, innovation, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission.
• Award ceremony: Winners are announced at the Foundation’s annual event in a significant cultural or diplomatic venue.
• Post-award support: Recipients gain access to funding opportunities, institutional partnerships, and mentorship programmes to develop their initiatives further.
Programme governance: The award is managed by a Selection Committee composed of representatives from the Foundation, cultural institutions, and international partners. The Executive Board of the Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation provides final approval of recipients and ensures the award’s alignment with strategic objectives.