Scholarship in support of women, peace and security in memory of Zaida Catalán
In 2020, the FBA was tasked by the Swedish Government to establish a scholarship aimed at supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The purpose of the scholarship is to support young peacebuilders working to promote women’s participation in conflict resolution. The scholarship was established in memory of Zaida Catalán, who was seconded by the FBA to several international peace operations, where she served as gender expert.
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Zaida Catalán served as a gender expert in several international peace operations between 2011 and 2016, seconded by the FBA.
UN Security Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, together with subsequent resolutions, forms the women, peace and security agenda. The agenda recognises that women's inclusion in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts is crucial to sustainable peace and security. The resolutions also highlight the need to improve the protection of women and girls from violence and from the consequences of conflicts.
Who can apply for the scholarship and how does it work?
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.
For one year, the selected scholarship holders will have the opportunity to gain experience in this field and contribute to the promotion of peace and security at civil society organisations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine or Ukraine. Zaida Catalán was seconded by the FBA to the first three countries. Ukraine was added as a new context by the Swedish government in 2024.
The scholarship holders will also benefit from capacity building activities organised by the FBA.
Applicants are required to have at least two years of relevant work experience from the local context, a proven commitment to the issues, and a clear intention to continue working as agents of change to promote women, peace and security on the ground after the scholarship period has ended.
The scholarship holders will receive a package of allowances to help ensure a good standard of living. The FBA also covers certain expenses for the host organisations to help ensure that the scholarship holders have educational and rewarding placements as well as safe working conditions.
In order to stimulate further exchange of experiences, the FBA is exploring the possibility of creating an alumni network for former scholarship holders.
The FBA is Sweden’s expert agency for the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
Selection process
When the application period closes, the FBA will first screen all applications and verify whether applicants fulfill the formal requirements. The FBA will then review and assess the approved applicants and provide the host organisations with a longlist of candidates.
Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Formal competence and merit: Relevance of educational background, and previous experience in relation to the women, peace and security agenda.
Functional competence: Ability to transform relevant knowledge and experience into skills and practices relevant to the host organisation, as described in the terms of reference for the placement in question.
Personal suitability: Motivation and/or need to gain experience in the context of the placement and from work with the women, peace and security agenda, as well as motivation and/or need to participate in capacity building and networking activities.
Candidates shortlisted by a host organisation and the FBA will be invited to interviews with a joint interview panel. The panel will include representatives of the FBA, the host organisation and the Swedish diplomatic mission in the country in question. In connection with the interview, candidates will be asked to provide documentation and references.
