The OSCE Young Women 4 Peace Initiative: Empowering Central Asian Young Women Programme

The OSCE Young Women 4 Peace Initiative is a comprehensive capacity-building programme, which is part of the OSCE’s Networking Platform for Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators launched by the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid in December 2021. The programme aims to support and empower 18 young women, aged 18 to 30, from Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and Afghanistan (residing in Central Asia). The programme targets those actively engaged in women’s empowerment, youth engagement, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and related fields, to enhance the influence of young women change-makers in Central Asia in the field of development, peacebuilding, mediation and other processes in areas of comprehensive security. This OSCE programme is implemented with support from the European Union.

The programme will offer:

• Tailored comprehensive capacity-building and career coaching sessions

• Peer-to-peer exchanges on relevant gender equality, youth engagement, peace, and security topics

• Opportunities to engage with decision-makers and influential actors in peace processes and conflict resolution

• Training on topics such as funding management, mediation, negotiations, communication strategies, policy development, grant management/donor relations, project management, psychological and mental health, and confidence building (exact topics will be decided based on the needs assessment of the selected participants)

• Networking events with peers and mentors

• Support for the development and implementation of cross-border projects/small-scale initiatives on women’s empowerment

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• 18 – 30 years of age at the start of the programme on 1 April 2024
• Citizen of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan, residing in the region, OR from Afghanistan: living in Central Asian countries
• Demonstrated experience working at the community or national level. We encourage in particular members of local or national networks, representing women from rural areas, conflict-affected regions, and disadvantaged groups to apply.
• Passion for promoting gender equality, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and/or conflict prevention
• Good working professional knowledge of English (oral and written)
• Clear motivation and availability to commit to participating in the entire programme, likely including the following components:
  • Monthly online workshops (2 hours/monthly)
  • Participation in in-person events under the programme

Application and selection process:

If you meet the criteria and are interested in participating in this programme, please go to the Application call to complete the questionnaire and submit your application.  

The deadline for applications is 23:59 CET, 29 February 2024.

No applications will be accepted after the deadline. By taking part in the application process, you consent to the collection and use of the data for the selection process.

For any other information please send an email to WIN@osce.org.

Information on the Young Women for Peace Initiative and motivating stories of young peacebuilders can be found on the OSCE website.