Deadline: July 26, 2026
Are you a civil society actor, a representative from an African civil society organisation or an international organisation from or working on Africa? If so, apply for the Training ahead of the African Commission’s 89th session. DefendDefenders, Front Line Defenders and ISHR are organising an in-person training to equip African defenders with the knowledge and skills to integrate the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights into their existing work at the national level in a strategic manner.
The training aims to provide an opportunity for participants to prepare for and engage in advocacy activities at the ACHPR in order to push for change back home at the national level. The training will be preceded by two mandatory preparatory sessions online. The training consists of two and a half days of learning sessions and workshops, and includes active attendance to the three-day NGO Forum, organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) and to the first day of the ACHPR’s 89th session.
During this training participants will:
- Learn more about the work of the ACHPR and how to engage strategically with the Commission and its mechanisms (State periodic review, Special Rapporteurs, communications, country visits etc.).
- Strengthen their practical knowledge in advocacy with the ACHPR through case studies.
- Meet and learn from defenders from all around Africa working on a range of human rights issues through the NGO Forum.
- Advocate on their issue toward a wide range of policy-makers, decision-makers and other stakeholders.
Costs
- Organisers will cover the cost of participation of all selected candidates, which includes flights, accommodation, and food. They will explore the possibility, subject to funding, to extend participation to more people and more days for the session, but can’t guarantee it, so they highly recommend you to secure additional sponsorship.
Eligibility
- This training is directed at experienced African human rights defenders – from all the sub-regions – with an advocacy experience of at least five years at the national level, and who want to engage more with regional human rights mechanisms.
- A particular focus will be given to participants from the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cap Vert, Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia.
Application
Each applicant must submit a completed application form, including a reference letter different from your current organisation and a CV. Only complete applications will be considered.
For more information, visit Training ahead of the African Commission’s 89th Session.
