About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The three-day in-person training programme aims to strengthen knowledge, skills, and collaboration among professionals working to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across Asia and Europe.
Hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, the programme forms part of broader efforts to promote inclusive governance and sustainable development. Approximately 20 participants from eligible Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partner countries will be selected to participate.
Promoting Inclusive Governance Through Gender Equality
Gender equality remains a critical component of sustainable development and inclusive governance worldwide. The training programme seeks to place women’s participation at the center of policymaking, institutional development, advocacy, and public discourse.
Recognising gender equality as a cross-cutting issue, the programme will explore its connections with several global priorities, including:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Climate change action
Peace and security initiatives
Social inclusion and equity
Institutional governance reforms
Through practical learning and knowledge exchange, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how gender equality contributes to stronger institutions and more inclusive societies.
Key Learning Objectives
The Capacity-Building Training Programme is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools that can be applied within their professional environments.
Participants will gain:
A deeper understanding of structural, institutional, social, and cultural barriers affecting women’s participation and leadership.
Practical skills in gender analysis and gender-responsive policymaking.
Knowledge of gender-sensitive and gender-disaggregated data collection and utilisation.
Insights into gender-responsive budgeting approaches.
Monitoring and evaluation techniques relevant to gender equality initiatives.
Strategies for mainstreaming gender equality within organisations, policies, and programmes.
Opportunities for peer learning and cross-regional collaboration between Asia and Europe.
The programme also encourages participants to identify practical and achievable follow-up actions that can strengthen women’s participation within their respective institutions and sectors.
Who Can Apply?
The training programme targets a diverse group of stakeholders committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout the ASEM region.
Primary participants may include representatives from:
Ministries responsible for women’s affairs
Gender commissions and councils
Departments of social welfare
Family affairs and development agencies
Government gender focal points
Inter-ministerial working groups
Civil society organisations focused on gender equality
Secondary participants may include representatives from:
Academic and research institutions
Private sector organisations
Development agencies and professional bodies supporting women’s empowerment
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be citizens of eligible ASEM Partner countries.
Demonstrate working proficiency in English.
Hold positions that influence policy development, programme design, institutional practice, advocacy, research, or public dialogue.
Show a commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s participation.
Programme organisers have also emphasised the importance of gender-balanced participation, reflecting the initiative’s whole-of-society approach to gender equality.
Students without relevant professional work experience are not eligible to apply.
Interactive and Practice-Oriented Training
The training will feature comprehensive learning sessions designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of gender equality across policymaking, programme implementation, advocacy, and community engagement.
Key features of the training format include:
Interactive discussions
Participatory learning methods
Practical case studies
Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
Cross-regional exchange of experiences
Collaborative problem-solving exercises
This approach aims to create an inclusive learning environment where participants can develop practical solutions to gender-related challenges within their professional contexts.
Travel and Accommodation Support
Selected participants will receive financial support from the programme organisers.
The support package includes:
Reimbursement of economy-class round-trip airfare to and from Kunming, China, subject to a specified ceiling.
Four nights of accommodation at the training venue.
Hotel stay from 6 September to 10 September 2026.
This funding support is intended to ensure that qualified professionals from across the ASEM region can participate regardless of geographic location.
Application Process and Deadline
Interested applicants must submit an online application before the deadline.
Application requirements include:
Completion of the official online application form.
Submission of an organisational endorsement or nomination letter.
Endorsement letter written in English.
Letter provided on official organisational letterhead or sent through an official organisational email address.
Explanation of how participation aligns with the organisation’s priorities and activities.
The application deadline is:
3 July 2026 at 23:59 Singapore Time
Early submission is encouraged to avoid last-minute technical issues.
About the Organisers
The Capacity-Building on Gender Equality and Women’s Participation programme is hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
Through this initiative, ASEF continues to foster dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange between Asia and Europe while promoting inclusive governance and sustainable development through gender-responsive leadership and participation.
Final Thoughts
As governments, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and private sector stakeholders continue to address gender disparities globally, this training programme offers a valuable opportunity for professionals to enhance their expertise and contribute to meaningful change. By equipping participants with practical tools, policy insights, and collaborative networks, the programme seeks to strengthen women’s participation and leadership across sectors while advancing sustainable development goals throughout the Asia-Europe region.
How to apply