Call for applications: training ahead of the 85th session of the African Commission

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, this training is for you!

What is it? 

The International Service for Human Rights is organising this two-day activity to equip human rights defenders with the knowledge and skills to integrate the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the ACHPR) into their existing work at the national level in a strategic manner, and provide an opportunity for participants to prepare for and engage in advocacy activities at the ACHPR with the aim to effect change back home at the national level.

Two live sessions of 2 hours ahead of the training are also mandatory to follow. 

Read the complete programme description here and check our free online course on ISHR Academy here.

When?* 

October 2025, ahead of the public session of the 85th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (exact dates to be confirmed – the training is foreseen to take place slightly before 21 October 2025).

Where?* 

Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Kololi, Banjul, The Gambia.

What to expect from the training? 

During this two-day training, African defenders will:

• learn more about the work of the ACHPR and how to engage strategically with its mechanisms (State periodic review, communications, country visits etc.)
• strengthen their practical knowledge in advocacy with ACHPR through case studies
• meet and learn from defenders from all around Africa working on a range of human rights issues.

The training will be delivered in French and English with simultaneous interpretation available in both languages. 

Could you be one of the participants? 

This training is directed at experienced African human rights defenders (from all regions) with existing advocacy experience of at least five years, at the national level, who want to engage more extensively with regional human rights mechanisms. 

How to apply? 

By midnight Banjul time on 25 August 2025, applicants must have submitted a completed application form, including CV and a reference letter from an organisation different from their current employer. Applicants are invited to read the requirements carefully and to collect information they need from the programme description.

We expect to receive a high number of applications, and unfortunately, due to capacity constraints, we will only be able to select around 15 participants. This means that many qualified candidates might not be able to attend. Your understanding is highly appreciated. ONLY complete applications will be considered.

What costs are covered? 

ISHR will cover the cost of participation for all selected candidates, which includes flights, accommodation, and food. We will explore the possibility, subject to funding, to extend participation to enable advocacy at the 85th ACHPR session and/or the NGO Forum, but we can’t guarantee it will be possible, so we highly recommend that successful applicants secure additional sponsorship for this purpose.