1. Before joining the PATH program, what did peacebuilding or practicing advocacy mean to you on a personal level?
In a country of wars like Yemen, peace means that the conflicting parties agree that people should be able to feel safe in their own homeland. In general, peace meant safety to me.
As for practicing advocacy, I believe it is a duty—especially if you feel there are issues that fall within your principles and convictions, whether they are related to human rights or politics.

2. What motivated you to apply and participate in the PATH program?
I always feel that the world is evolving, and no matter how much I try to develop myself and improve my skills, in this era we must keep up with everything new.
I wanted to learn and understand more about issues I care about, and the PATH program offered that opportunity, so I applied.

3. Was there a specific session or moment during the PATH program that changed your perspective? If so, why?
Every session contained something that changed my perspective—whether from the content itself or from the experiences shared by some of the trainers when presenting it. Their stories made me stop, reflect, and feel proud of them.
In short, their determination, practice, and experience made me change many of my views about different matters.

4. How did the PATH program affect the way you approach your work or your community?
The following sentence may summarize what the PATH program meant to me: it helped me restructure my organization and reformulate its goals for 2026 based on what I learned and shared with my team.

5. During the mentorship phase of the PATH program, which advocacy track did you focus on, and what goal are you seeking to achieve through it?
I focused on journalism because it was a new experience for me. At a time when almost everything relies on journalism and social media, advocacy requires several complementary aspects, including journalism. My experience in this area was weak, but with PATH I gained the basic foundations that enable me to use journalism in advocacy during campaigns.

6. Why do you believe that the participation of young women in the region in peacebuilding efforts is essential?
Because this is their time to build peace, and in the future it will be the turn of the next generation. I do not find it logical to marginalize young women—you would be marginalizing a whole generation, its thinking, and its potential for development. Our countries might have been different and governed in different ways if young people had been given opportunities. In my view, young women do not seek wars; their vision is always toward peace, economic development, and political participation that helps raise their voices on issues concerning their countries.

7. If you had the opportunity to send one message to decision-makers or leaders in the region, what would it be?
Invest in people as a sustainable asset, not merely as a demographic number.

8. Looking to the future, how do you see yourself building on the experiences and knowledge you gained from the PATH program in the coming months or years?
The PATH program was comprehensive in developing and strengthening the important issues that concern us as women leaders. It also explored in depth how we manage our causes and our organizations. I feel that I have made a significant leap in confidence and knowledge, which will enable me to achieve the goals we have set.

The post “Invest in People, Not Numbers”: A Young Leader’s Call for Change first appeared on elbarlament.org - cultures of democracy.

Background

Elbarlament works to promote peacebuilding and democratic participation, with a strong focus on youth and women’s empowerment. In Senegal, the organisation is implementing activities aimed at strengthening the sustainable political participation of young people, particularly by supporting coalitions and enhancing their capacity to influence public policy.

Despite their central role in urban mobility and employment, many young people—especially those working in the informal sector such as motorcycle taxi drivers (Jakartamen)—remain excluded from decision-making processes. This initiative seeks to address these gaps by fostering inclusive dialogue and participation.

Objective of the Assignment

The selected service provider will contribute to a multi-stakeholder dialogue process on public transport policies in Senegal, with the aim of increasing youth participation in decision-making at local and national levels.

Scope of Work

Over a period of four months (starting April 2026), the service provider will:

• Organise and deliver capacity-building workshops for youth on governance, project management, fundraising, and advocacy

• Support the preparation of two local (communal) dialogue sessions

• Organise a national dialogue process, including two workshops and a closing conference

• Ensure inclusive participation of diverse stakeholders, including informal youth groups

• Provide logistical support for a training on monitoring mechanisms for dialogue outcomes

• Contribute to the final project report

The assignment will be implemented under the guidance of Elbarlament and in coordination with 360° Conseil, following the INSPIRED methodology.

Budget

• Maximum service fee: €12,500

• Additional reimbursable logistical costs: up to €12,000

Required Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A relevant Master’s degree or equivalent

• Fluency in French and Wolof

• At least five years of experience in event organisation

• Proven expertise in designing and delivering training for civil society organisations

• Strong ability to facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders

Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

Technical offer:

• A methodology note (max. 3 pages)

• CV(s) (max. 5 pages each, with clear role distribution if applying as a team)

Financial offer:

• Daily rate(s) and total budget for services

• Detailed budget for reimbursable logistical costs

📩 Applications must be sent by email to:
recruitment@elbarlament.org (cc: bloching@elbarlament.org)

📅 Deadline: 1 April 2026 at 18:00 CET

For clarification questions, please contact the above email addresses before 26 March 2026.

The post Call for Applications: Event Organisation and Training Services in Senegal (WYDE Civic Engagement Project) first appeared on elbarlament.org - cultures of democracy.

The dialogue was initially centred on youth political participation in general. Through extensive consultations with public institutions, youth organisations, political actors and civil society representatives, the process produced a Participatory Policy Assessment, an Integrated Support Framework and a draft Roadmap for Reform outlining shared priorities to enhance young people’s inclusion in democratic processes.

As Nepal entered a period of political upheaval marked by youth-led protests, the formation of an interim government and the lead-up to the March 2026 parliamentary elections, the dialogue adapted to the new context. The focus shifted toward federating youth groups and emerging Gen Z activists around concrete demands for good governance, accountability and anti-corruption measures.

Building on earlier findings, the process convened workshops, consultations and high-level meetings with stakeholders including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, youth wings of political parties, student unions and grassroots youth movements. The dialogue has aimed to translate shared concerns into actionable commitments — particularly regarding young people’s role in political reform initiatives, electoral processes and integrity-driven governance reforms.

The process is now advancing implementation and coordination efforts to ensure sustained collaboration among stakeholders and to anchor youth voices more firmly within Nepal’s democratic reform agenda.

Through this structured, inclusive and adaptive approach, the initiative contributes to strengthening youth leadership, democratic participation and accountable governance in Nepal.

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Birgit’s journey was marked by a lifelong dedication to democracy, women’s rights, and peacebuilding. She studied law in Mainz, Geneva, and Heidelberg, earning a doctorate on European Citizenship Rights for Immigrants. Her career began as a lawyer in Frankfurt before she became a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, first as an advisor to the parliamentary group of the Green Party in the German national parliament (Bundestag) in 1984, and two years later as a leader in the Hesse State Government’s department for Women and Equality.

In the 1980s, she co-founded the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Cologne, and she later became the executive director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin, where she continued her work for equality and democracy. But it was in 2013 that she founded elbarlament, the organisation that would become her true passion.

Birgit’s vision for elbarlament was built upon the belief that art and culture hold transformative power for peacebuilding and social change. What began as writing workshops for Syrian and Iraqi women grew into a broader initiative that explored filmmaking, theatre, graphic novels, and other forms of creative expression for civic education and peacebuilding purposes. Birgit believed deeply in the power of storytelling and creative expression as a way for women to reclaim their voices, heal, and generate understanding for their needs and aspirations.

Birgit was deeply committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (UNSCR 1325), particularly in Iraq, where she dedicated herself to empowering women as leaders and peacebuilders. She was also passionate about improving the legal situation for women in Iraq — one of her projects, developed with women from civil society organisations and Iraqi parliamentarians, led to the draft of a domestic violence bill in 2019. Her goal was to empower women to participate as equals in their families, societies and, ultimately, in political decision-making and peace processes.

Her unique approach led to the creation of a vibrant network of women activists, parliamentarians, government officials and researchers through which they could share their stories and create alliances for change. Over the years, elbarlament expanded its focus to other key issues for women’s equality and justice like climate change and environmental justice, and civic and political education. However, it was the arts and culture-based approaches and peacebuilding initiatives that remained Birgit’s true calling — a way for women to make their voices heard in a world that often silences them.

Birgit’s tireless work left an indelible mark on the women and communities we serve. Under her leadership, elbarlament grew into a force for change, empowering people, many of them women and youth, across Germany, Myanmar, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Yemen and especially Iraq to stand up for their rights. Her impact cannot be measured in numbers alone — many lives were changed, many women found their voices, and many communities were transformed thanks to her visionary leadership.

Birgit stepped down from the active management of elbarlament in 2024 due to health reasons, but her spirit and vision will continue to guide the organisation into the future. Birgit’s ideas, her passion for justice, and her relentless dedication to change will remain a beacon for all of us who had the honour of working alongside her. Her legacy lives on in the countless women and men whose lives she touched and in elbarlament’s mission and programmes.

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We are proud to announce the next phase of the Yazidi Community Archive – Syria and Iraq, a project that goes beyond the genocide narrative to highlight the richness, resilience, and living culture of the Yazidi people. Yazidis are an indigenous religious minority with deep roots in northern Iraq and northeastern Syria, whose histories, traditions, and everyday lives deserve to be preserved and shared on their own terms.

Through community-based documentation, the project will collect oral histories, photographs, videos, and cultural materials that reflect Yazidi life before, during, and after the atrocities committed by ISIS. The archive will bring together family stories, religious practices, and community institutions, creating a holistic and community-led record for future generations.

Elbarlament builds on its previous work with the Yazidi Community Archive and its long-standing experience in Iraq and Syria, particularly in Sinjar/Ninewa and Al-Hasakah. Working closely with Yazidi communities, the project follows trauma-informed, ethical, and culturally sensitive approaches to ensure that Yazidi voices remain at the heart of the archive.

This project is not only about preserving the past — it is about strengthening memory, dignity, and visibility for the future.

The post New Project Launch: Preserving Yazidi Voices Across Syria and Iraq first appeared on elbarlament.org - cultures of democracy.

Designed for women peacebuilders and advocates, this phase supports participants in transforming their knowledge, skills, and lived experience into concrete, real-world advocacy initiatives. It bridges theory and practice, helping participants move from ideas to impact.

Working in small teams alongside experienced mentors, participants develop practical advocacy outputs tailored to real audiences and local contexts. Through hands-on guidance, peer exchange, and collaborative learning, the mentorship phase strengthens strategic communication, credibility, and adaptability — essential skills for driving change in complex and often challenging environments.

Recognizing that meaningful change requires multiple approaches, the mentorship phase is structured around four complementary advocacy tracks, allowing participants to engage with the tools and methods best suited to their goals and contexts.

Mentorship Track: Research & Policy Advocacy

This track focuses on engaging formal decision-making spaces.

Participants learn how to translate lived experiences and local realities into clear, evidence-based research briefs and policy recommendations. Emphasis is placed on credibility, policy framing, and communicating in ways that resonate with institutions, donors, and policymakers.

This track is particularly valuable in contexts where data, evidence, and policy alignment are essential for achieving tangible impact.

Mentorship Track: Journalism & Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool for change.

This track explores how narrative can shape public discourse and challenge dominant narratives. Participants work with journalistic and storytelling formats to humanize social and political issues, making them more accessible and compelling.

By centering marginalized voices and lived experiences, story-driven advocacy helps shift public opinion, build empathy, and generate pressure for meaningful change.

Mentorship Track: Artistic & Visual Storytelling

Creative advocacy opens new pathways for expression.

This track introduces artistic and visual storytelling as inclusive and innovative ways to communicate advocacy messages. Participants explore tools such as photo essays and graphic storytelling to reach audiences beyond traditional policy and media spaces.

Artistic approaches are especially valuable in restricted or sensitive environments, where creative expression can offer safer, emotionally resonant, and impactful forms of engagement.

Mentorship Track: Digital Campaigning & Strategic Communications

Digital advocacy helps messages travel further.

This track focuses on amplifying advocacy messages and sustaining engagement through digital tools and platforms. Participants learn how to design effective online campaigns, use social media strategically, and build momentum around key issues.

Digital campaigning plays a critical role in connecting local realities to regional and global conversations, expanding reach and mobilizing broader support for change.

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Building on the foundations established in the first phase, this stage shifts from learning to practice. Participants will work in small, cross-country teams to design and develop their own advocacy and storytelling initiatives. These projects may take a variety of forms, including research briefs, journalistic articles, visual and artistic storytelling, and digital advocacy campaigns.

Specialised Mentorship Across Key Fields

Participants will be supported by four specialised mentors, each bringing deep expertise in a core area of advocacy and communication:

• Research & Policy Advocacy

• Journalism and Storytelling

• Artistic and Visual Storytelling & Creative Media

• Digital Campaigning & Strategic Communications

Through a combination of live virtual mentoring sessions, peer exchange, and practical guidance, participants will refine their project ideas, identify target audiences, and develop effective, context-sensitive strategies. Live sessions with mentors will provide real-time feedback, case studies, and opportunities to engage around locally relevant themes and challenges.

From Ideas to Impact

Each team will produce a context-relevant advocacy output, guided by mentors throughout the full creative and strategic process — from concept development to final delivery. At the conclusion of this phase, each mentor will submit a representative sample of their team’s completed work.

These outputs will not only demonstrate participants’ learning, collaboration, and creativity, but will also support their professional development, offering tangible portfolio pieces that can be used beyond the programme.

This second stage of PATH is about turning knowledge into action — strengthening practical skills while fostering cross-country collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose. We look forward to seeing how participants transform their ideas into meaningful advocacy initiatives.

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