Scholarship Opportunity for Young Leaders in Women, Peace and Security in DRC and Afghanistan
Since 2020, the FBA annually awards 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.
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 Congo (DRC). 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.
Placements for 2026
The DRC fellow will work for the civil society organisation Kvinna till Kvinna at their office in Bukavu. It’s important to be aware of the current security situation in the Eastern DRC and to be prepared to work under those, challenging conditions.
Due to the security situation in Afghanistan, FBA has a partnership with the human rights organisation and think tank Bytes for All (B4A) in Islamabad, Pakistan. This organisation is hosting this year's Afghan scholarship holder at their offices in Islamabad.
The recipients are expected to their placement in January 2026.
Who can apply?
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. We are looking for candidates who have at least two years of relevant work experience from the civil society context in the DRC or Afghanistan – two of the countries where Zaida Catalán was on secondment from FBA. You should also have a clear intention to continue working on these issues locally after the end of the scholarship period.
What is offered?
Selected scholarship holders will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and contribute to the work for peace and security through a placement within a local civil society organisation. The FBA also offers capacity building activities during the scholarship period.
The scholarship holders receive a basic allowance to maintain a good standard of living. The FBA also covers some overheads for the host organisation to ensure that the scholarship holders have 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?
Then it's time to prepare your application - Deadline: 23 November.
Terms of reference for the DRC
Apply for the scholarship in the DRC
Terms of reference for Afghanistan/Pakistan
Apply for the scholarship in Afghanistan/Pakistan
The Gender-responsive leader's handbook
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