The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) launched its fourth programming round on 9 October 2025, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. This women peacekeepers new round targets one of the most persistent challenges in global peacekeeping—the underrepresentation of uniformed women, especially in leadership roles within military and police deployments.
Aim of the women peacekeepers programme
The EIF is dedicated to tackling these disparities by supporting practical, transformative initiatives that make women’s participation in peacekeeping more accessible, meaningful, and safe.
To qualify for funding, project proposals must align with at least one of the Fund’s four core outcomes, as defined in its Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. These outcomes ensure that each supported project contributes directly to systemic and institutional change within security and peacekeeping structures.
Funding for the women peacekeepers programme
For this round, successful applicants may receive between USD 100,000 and USD 1,500,000 in funding to scale their initiative around women peacekeepers.
Additionally, troop- and police-contributing countries (T/PCCs) undertaking gender-transformative reforms are eligible for a Gender Strong Unit (GSU) premium, which provides extra financial support beyond the main funding ceiling.
This bonus is designed to incentivise reforms that strengthen gender equality across military and police institutions.
Requirements
Eligible applicants include Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and their partner UN entities. Proposals must demonstrate how they align with one or more of the EIF’s four key outcomes:
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Expanding country-specific knowledge on barriers preventing women peacekeepers deployment.
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Increasing the meaningful deployment of uniformed women in UN peace operations.
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Expanding the pool of qualified women eligible for peacekeeping roles.
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Enhancing the safety and quality of working and living conditions for women in missions.
Deadline
Applications close on January 31, 2026.
Interested applicants can visit Elsie Initiative Fund’s website to learn more and apply.
Explore our Opportunities page for more global calls around women.
Summary not available at this time.
