Scholarship opportunity for young leaders in women, peace and security in Palestine
Are you a young peacebuilder at the beginning of your career, with a strong commitment to women, peace and security? Do you have experience working in this field in Palestine and want to take your commitment to the next level? Then you have the opportunity to apply for the 1325 Scholarship for 2026.
12 maj 2026
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Zaida Catalán served as a gender expert in several international peace operations between 2011 and 2016, seconded by the FBA. The 1325 Scholarship honours her work and supports young peacebuilders committed to advancing women, peace and security.
Established in memory of Zaida Catalán, the scholarship supports young peacebuilders working to advance women’s participation in conflict resolution.
The scholarship offers a one-year placement with the civil society organisation MIFTAH at its office in Ramallah. The selected candidate is expected to begin the placement in July 2026, or as agreed.
Deadline for applications: 31 May 2026.
Who can apply?
The scholarship targets young peacebuilders at the beginning of their careers, with a demonstrated strong commitment to the women, peace and security agenda and to efforts to advance gender equality.
We are looking for candidates who have at least two years of relevant work experience from civil society in Palestine – one of the contexts where Zaida Catalán was seconded by the FBA.
What does the scholarship offer?
The selected candidate will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and contribute to peace and security through the placement with MIFTAH. The FBA also offers capacity building activities during the scholarship period.
The scholarship holder will receive a basic allowance to maintain a good standard of living. The FBA also covers certain overhead costs for the host organisation to help ensure that the scholarship holder has an educational and rewarding placement in a safe working environment.
How to apply
Are you ready to take the next step in your career as a peacebuilder and make a difference in the spirit of Zaida Catalán?
Apply for the scholarship in Palestine by 31 May 2026.
Please note: Applicants should be aware of the current security situation in Ramallah and the wider West Bank and be prepared to work under volatile conditions.
About the 1325 Scholarship and Zaida Catalán
Since 2020, the FBA has annually awarded a scholarship in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Established in memory of Zaida Catalán – a dedicated gender equality expert and peacebuilder – the scholarship aims to honour her work and advance the women, peace and security agenda in the geographical contexts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Palestine and Ukraine.
Between 2011 and 2016, Zaida Catalán was seconded by the FBA as a gender expert to several international peace operations. In 2017, she was tragically murdered during a UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through the 1325 Scholarship, which the FBA was tasked by the Swedish Government to establish, more young peacebuilders are given the opportunity to engage in and work with issues related to women's participation in conflict resolution, in the spirit of Zaida Catalán.
Read more about the 1325 Scholarship in memory of Zaida Catalán, the selection process, frequently asked questions and former scholarship holders.