• NGO representatives and independent activists engaged in gender-focused projects; peacebuilding and development are invited to apply to the UNITAR Gender Empowerment Now! Training Programme Cycle 6.
• The programme will strengthen the capacity of gender practitioners to design and deliver gender-responsive trainings and promote gender mainstreaming at institutional and community levels.
• The application deadline is 20 March 2026 (11:59 p.m. EAT, UTC+3).

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to

• Apply gender mainstreaming principles in institutional and community settings
• Cascade knowledge and build local capacity on gender equality
• Plan and facilitate participatory workshops for local communities
• Develop training materials and track the impact of their activities

The selected participants will first undergo intensive training of trainer sessions online, after which they will implement in-person community workshops in their respective countries to strengthen local engagement in gender equality, women’s empowerment and social inclusion.

Training of Trainers Core Programme (April–May 2026)

Participants will learn core trainer skills through four to six structured online workshops delivered by UNITAR. The modules will include:

• Participatory training design and facilitation methods
• Designing gender-responsive community initiatives
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting of training activities
• Strategies for localization, sustainability and community engagement

Community-Level Implementation (July–August 2026)

Following the training of trainers, each selected participant will organize and facilitate an in-person community workshop for 15–20 people. National partner NGOs are expected to assist with logistics and facilitation. These workshops will aim to:

• Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Build local capacity for gender mainstreaming

Programme participants will produce training manuals and workshop reports, to include photos, testimonies and key learnings. Participants will receive financial support to contribute to the organization and delivery of their community-level workshop. 

Reflection and Reporting (September 2026)

Selected participants will engage in reflection sessions to consolidate learning, discuss successes and challenges and document lessons learned. Each participant will submit comprehensive reports outlining best practices, outcomes and recommendations for future cycles.

The programme is open to gender practitioners and professionals working in civil society organizations across the Middle East and North Africa region, who

• Are actively engaged in gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, or related fields
• Are affiliated with organizations capable of institutionalizing gender mainstreaming
• Have the motivation and capacity to act as multipliers of knowledge and practice

Applicant requirements

Applicants must

• Be 28–45 years old
• Be fluent in Arabic (spoken and written)
• Demonstrate knowledge of gender equality or gender mainstreaming
• Be affiliated with the same organization for at least two years
• Hold a role relevant to programme implementation, policy, advocacy or capacity-building
• Have experience or strong potential in training, facilitation or knowledge-sharing
• Be in a position to apply gender mainstreaming within their organization and train others
• Be fully available to participate in all online sessions and subsequent activities
• Be affiliated with a women’s rights organization or an organization where women’s and girls’ rights are a core area of work (preferred)

Selected participants must also secure a letter of support from their organization or a local partner confirming its willingness to host the community workshop.

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated based on

• Demonstrated expertise in gender equality
• Institutional role and potential for community impact
• Training and facilitation experience
• Motivation and commitment to cascading knowledge

Final selection will ensure balanced representation across participating MENA countries.

Interested applicants are invited to complete the online application form (in Arabic).

Application deadline: 20 March 2026 (11:59 p.m. EAT, UTC+3)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.