Application is open for the Zaida Catalán scholarship in support of women, peace and security

FBA is now welcoming applications for the second round of the 1325-scholarship in support of women, peace and security in memory of Zaida Catalán. The scholarship targets young peacebuilders at the beginning of their career, with a confirmed strong dedication to the women, peace and security agenda and efforts for gender equality. The application is open 1-31 October 2021.

The scholarship was established in 2020 in memory of Zaida Catalán, who was tragically murdered in 2017 when she was on an UN-mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the years 2011-2016, she was seconded from FBA to several international peace operations where she served as gender expert. The first round of the scholarship also marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

For one year, the selected scholarship holders will have the opportunity to gain experience within the field of women, peace and security and contribute to the promotion of peace and security at a civil society organization in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Palestine – the countries where Zaida Catalán was on secondment from FBA.

In addition, the scholarship holders will take part in capacity building and training offered by FBA.

Applicants are required to have two years of relevant work experience from the local context, and to have the intention to continue as agents of change to promote women, peace and security on the ground when the scholarship ends.

For the second round, with placement in 2022, the FBA only accepts applications for scholarships in the DRC and Palestine.

– This is due to the current security situation in Afghanistan, after the Taliban takeover. However, we still hope to be able to place a scholarship holder in Afghanistan in the future, says Isa Li Axberg, thematic officer at FBA.

”Our rights are not a favor given to us” – Nathalie Ndimubanzi from the DRC writes on the FBA-blog about her experiences as one of the first scholarship holders.

Photo 1: UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

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Read our publications

The Gender-Responsive Leader's Handbook

Gender equality is both a goal and a prerequisite for sustainable peace and development. FBA’s Gender-Responsive Leadership (GRL) Initiative is designed to support leaders and managers within organizations such as the EU, UN, ECOWAS, OSCE and the African Union to fulfill their central role in enabling gender equal peace, security and development work.

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