Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) is set to launch its fourth programming round on 9 October 2025 with a high-level event bringing together United Nations leadership, Member States, donors, and project partners.
This launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, providing an important moment to assess progress and remaining challenges in promoting the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping operations.
The EIF is a global fund and strategic enabler dedicated to advancing gender equality within peace operations. It focuses on fostering evidence-based, sustainable reforms that drive institutional transformation and systemic change across troop- and police-contributing countries (T/PCCs). As a learning mechanism, the Fund enables the identification of persistent challenges, promotes exchange of best practices, and supports efforts aligned with UN priorities, including Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+), the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS), and the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace. Collectively, these initiatives seek to strengthen inclusive governance, build resilient institutions, and advance gender-responsive peace and security frameworks.
It will also showcase ongoing EIF-supported projects that have successfully implemented reforms addressing structural barriers to women’s participation in peacekeeping. The discussions will highlight examples of institutional change—such as policy revisions, leadership development initiatives, improved living and working conditions for women peacekeepers, and the introduction of gender-sensitive training programs.
The event will also provide an opportunity for T/PCCs and UN entities to share lessons learned and demonstrate concrete progress in integrating gender perspectives within operational and command structures. Despite significant global advocacy for women’s participation, uniformed women remain underrepresented in military and police deployments, particularly in leadership roles. The EIF’s upcoming programming round seeks to bridge these gaps by funding initiatives that make participation more accessible, safe, and meaningful.
Under the fourth programming round, project proposals may receive funding ranging from USD 100,000 to USD 1,500,000, with a maximum implementation period of two years. Proposals for barrier assessments are expected to last around 12 months, while those applying for the Gender Strong Unit (GSU) premium may have a project duration of up to three years. The GSU premium is available in addition to the primary project funding ceiling, providing further support to T/PCCs that commit to gender-transformative reforms.
To qualify for EIF funding, all proposals must align with at least one of the Fund’s four key outcomes, as outlined in its Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. These outcomes include expanding country-specific knowledge on barriers to women’s deployment, increasing the meaningful deployment of uniformed women in UN peace operations, enlarging the pool of women eligible for such deployments, and improving their working and living conditions within missions.
National governments applying for funding must be active T/PCCs or demonstrate a strong commitment to becoming one. Applications must be endorsed by high-level authorities, such as a Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, Police Commissioner, or equivalent. Each submission should clearly articulate the project’s rationale and ensure compliance with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) and Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) requirements.
Through this new programming round, the EIF reaffirms its commitment to supporting systemic reform and advancing gender equality in global peace operations. By enabling countries to identify and address institutional barriers, the Fund continues to transform commitments under the Women, Peace, and Security agenda into concrete, measurable action—helping ensure that women in uniform play a central role in building lasting peace.
For more information, visit UN Women.
