The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has opened applications for Cycle 6 of the Gender Empowerment Now! – Women, Peace and Security Programme. This initiative invites NGO representatives, gender practitioners, and independent activists working on gender equality, peacebuilding, and development to strengthen their capacity to design and deliver gender-responsive training programmes. The application deadline is 20 March 2026 (11:59 p.m. EAT, UTC+3). The programme aims to empower professionals across civil society organizations by equipping them with practical skills to promote gender equality, mainstream gender perspectives in institutional frameworks, and implement impactful community initiatives. Programme Background The Gender Empowerment Now! programme has been implemented since 2021 and has trained more than 220 professionals from government institutions and civil society organizations throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Supported by the Cyprus, the initiative has engaged participants from: Egypt Iraq Jordan Lebanon Sudan Syria Tunisia Cycle 6 will expand the programme’s reach while continuing to focus on practical training and community-level impact in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Learning Objectives By the end of the programme, participants will be able to: Apply gender mainstreaming principles within institutions and community initiatives. Cascade knowledge and build local capacity for gender equality. Plan and facilitate participatory workshops for community engagement. Develop training materials and monitor the impact of gender-focused initiatives. Programme Structure The programme consists of three major phases designed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical implementation. Training of Trainers (April–May 2026) Participants will attend four to six structured online workshops conducted by UNITAR. Key topics include: Participatory training design and facilitation methods Designing gender-responsive community initiatives Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of training programmes Strategies for localization, sustainability, and community engagement Community-Level Implementation (July–August 2026) After completing the training, each participant will organize and facilitate an in-person community workshop in their country for 15–20 participants. These workshops will aim to: Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment Strengthen local capacity for gender mainstreaming Encourage community engagement in gender-inclusive development Participants will prepare training manuals and produce reports documenting workshop outcomes, including photos, testimonies, and lessons learned. Financial support will be provided to assist with organizing these workshops. Reflection and Reporting (September 2026) Participants will take part in reflection sessions to review their experiences, discuss challenges and successes, and consolidate knowledge gained during the programme. Each participant will submit a comprehensive report outlining: Best practices and lessons learned Workshop outcomes and impact Recommendations for future programme cycles Eligibility Criteria The programme is open to gender practitioners working in civil society organizations in the MENA region who meet the following requirements: Active engagement in gender equality, women’s rights, or girls’ empowerment Affiliation with an organization capable of institutionalizing gender mainstreaming Strong motivation to share knowledge and build community capacity Applicants must also: Be 28–45 years old Be fluent in Arabic (spoken and written) Demonstrate knowledge of gender equality or gender mainstreaming Have worked with the same organization for at least two years Hold a role related to programme implementation, advocacy, policy, or training Have experience or strong potential in training and facilitation Be able to apply gender mainstreaming in their organization and train others Be available for all programme sessions and follow-up activities Preference will be given to applicants affiliated with women’s rights organizations or organizations where women’s and girls’ rights are a core focus. Selected participants must secure a letter of support from their organization or a local partner confirming their willingness to host the community workshop. Selection Process Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including: Demonstrated expertise in gender equality Institutional role and potential for community impact Experience in training and facilitation Motivation and commitment to knowledge sharing Final selections will ensure balanced representation across participating MENA countries. How to Apply Interested applicants must submit their applications through the online application form (in Arabic). Key details: Application deadline: 20 March 2026 (11:59 p.m. EAT, UTC+3) Application language: Arabic Notification: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted About UNITAR The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) serves as the training and capacity-building arm of the United Nations. The institute delivers innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide. In 2023 alone, UNITAR trained approximately 550,000 learners globally, supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development, peace, and inclusive societies. UNITAR operates globally with offices in: Geneva Hiroshima New York City Bonn VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the programme. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.