Call for Applications: Capacity-Building on Gender Equality and Women’s Participation

Application Deadline: July 3, 2026 (23:59 Singapore time)

About the Programme

The Asia–Europe Foundation (ASEF) invites applications for a three-day, in-person Capacity-Building for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Gender Equality and Women’s Participation. The programme is designed to empower approximately 20 participants from ASEM partner countries who influence policy, programme design, institutional practice, advocacy, research, or public dialogue on gender equality. The primary objective is to place women’s participation at the centre of inclusive governance and sustainable development recognising gender equality as a cross-cutting issue that underpins progress across many of the Sustainable Development Goals while underscoring its significance to broader agendas including climate change, peace and security, and social inclusion.

Programme Objectives

The Capacity-Building Training aims to convey to participants:

• A deeper understanding of the structural, institutional, social, and cultural barriers that continue to constrain women’s participation and leadership
• Practical competencies in gender analysis, the use of gender-sensitive and gender-disaggregated data, gender-responsive budgeting, and monitoring approaches relevant to women’s participation
• An introduction to mainstreaming gender equality in their own organisations, policies, and programmes
• Cross-regional learning and exchange among participants from Asia and Europe, enabling comparative reflection and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing

Expected Outcomes:

• Analysis of barriers to women’s participation using an intersectional lens
• Application of practical tools for integrating gender equality into policy and programme processes
• Enhanced utilisation of gender-sensitive data and indicators
• Identification of strategies for promoting women’s leadership and participation in their own sector or institution
• Formulation of concrete follow-up actions that are feasible within their professional contexts

About the Organisers

The training is hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The Asia–Europe Foundation (ASEF) is an intergovernmental organisation that brings together civil society, policymakers, and other stakeholders from ASEM partner countries to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.

Why This Programme Matters

Gender equality is a cross-cutting issue that underpins progress across many of the Sustainable Development Goals, yet women’s participation and leadership remain constrained by structural, institutional, social, and cultural barriers worldwide. These barriers are often compounded by lack of access to gender analysis tools, gender-sensitive data, and gender-responsive budgeting approaches.

This capacity-building programme addresses these gaps by:

• Bringing together approximately 20 participants from ASEM partner countries for intensive, in-person training
• Providing practical competencies in gender analysis, gender-sensitive data, gender-responsive budgeting, and monitoring
• Focusing on participants who influence policy, programme design, institutional practice, advocacy, research, or public dialogue
• Fostering cross-regional learning and exchange between Asia and Europe
• Covering travel and accommodation costs for selected participants

For government officials, civil society representatives, academics, and private sector professionals working on gender equality across ASEM countries, this programme offers a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding, acquire practical tools, and build networks with peers from Asia and Europe.

The programme is hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.

• Location: Kunming, China
• Dates: September 7–9, 2026

Target Participants & Eligibility

The training is designed to engage a diverse range of stakeholders committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment across the ASEM region.

Primary participants will include:

• Representatives from relevant government agencies and bodies with mandates in this area, such as Ministries, Commissions, or Councils on Women, Departments of Social Welfare, Family Affairs and Development, gender focal points within ministries, and members of relevant inter-ministerial groups
• Representatives from civil society organisations actively engaged in promoting gender equality

Secondary participants may include:

• Representatives from academic institutions
• Relevant private sector organisations and agencies contributing to women’s participation and empowerment

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Citizens of eligible ASEM Partner countries
• Working proficiency in English is required
• Priority will be given to participants who are in positions to influence policy, programme design, institutional practice, advocacy, research, or public dialogue
• In line with the programme’s objective of promoting gender equality as a whole-of-society agenda, gender-balanced participation will be encouraged

Note: This opportunity is not open to consultants. Students without relevant work experience are also not eligible to apply.

Training Format

The Training format will include a series of comprehensive training sessions specifically developed to strengthen understanding of gender equality and women’s participation in policymaking, programming, advocacy, and community-level initiatives. These sessions will emphasise participatory, interactive, and strongly practice-based approaches, prioritising an inclusive and engaging learning process.

For further details, refer to the Training Leaflet Capacity-Building on Gender Equality and Women’s Participation.

Travel & Accommodation

The co-organisers will cover:

• Airfare on point-to-point economy class to travel to/from Kunming, China through reimbursement, up to a maximum ceiling
• 4 nights of accommodation at the training venue with check-in on September 6 and check-out on September 10, 2026

How to Apply

Interested applicants must complete the online application form.

Application Link:  Click here to apply

Required Document: Applicants must upload a letter of organisational endorsement or nomination as part of their application. The letter must be in English, on official letterhead or sent from an official email address, and should explain how participation in the programme aligns with the organisation’s priorities and activities.

For More Information: Visit the Official ASEF Programme Page