Elsie Initiative Fund opens new call for proposals to advance inclusive peacekeeping
New York – The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) today launched its Fourth Programming Round at UN Women Headquarters, providing a new opportunity for Member States and UN entities to implement gender-responsive approaches to peacekeeping.
Hosted by UN Women, the event brought together senior United Nations leadership, Member States, partners, and donors. The launch coincides with the upcoming 25th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, offering a critical opportunity to reflect on progress, as well as the persistent gaps in advancing the full, equal and meaningful participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping.
“What makes the EIF unique is its ability to connect evidence with action. It translates global commitments into tangible results,” said Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women.
The EIF is a global fund and strategic enabler of institutional reform, supporting evidence-based and sustainable initiatives that aim to remove barriers to uniformed women’s participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations. It aligns with key UN priorities, including Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+), the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS), and the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace—translating global commitments to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda into concrete institutional action.
In a statement, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations Department of Peace Operations, said "The Elsie Initiative Fund has been a crucial partner in promoting women’s meaningful participation and supporting Member States in assessing barriers, implementing gender-responsive projects, trialling innovative approaches, and promoting Gender-Strong Units.”
The event highlighted results from EIF-supported projects in Senegal, Uruguay, and Fiji, and announced the opening of the call for Letters of Interest (LOIs) for the Fund’s Fourth Programming Round, open until 31 January 2026. Applicants include Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and UN entities that wish to apply for funding to implement or plan barrier assessments, institutional reforms, or the deployment of Gender Strong Units.
“Women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peacekeeping is not a side issue—it is fundamental to the future of peace operations. When women are empowered to serve and to lead, peacekeeping is stronger. We prevent gender-based violence more effectively, and we support host countries to build more inclusive security institutions. This is why the Elsie Initiative Fund matters. The Fund has supported projects that are dismantling barriers and catalysing institutional reforms,” said Lieutenant General Cheryl Pearce, Acting Military Adviser, United Nations Department of Peace Operations.
Since its inception in 2019, the EIF has provided technical and financial support to 26 security institutions in 16 T/PCCs, and three UN Peace Operations, catalysing institutional change and promoting gender-responsive peace and security institutions.
For more information on the EIF and the Fourth Programming Round, visit: https://elsiefund.org/fourth-programming-round.
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Left to right: Colonel Siliva Raradoka Vananalagi, Colonel Lamine Diouf, UN Women Deputy Executive Director Kirsi Madi, Lieutenant General Cheryl Pearce, Jacqueline O’Neill, and Sarah Taylor. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown -
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Chris Elmore, Member of Parliament. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown -
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Colonel Siliva Raradoka Vananalagi and Colonel Lamine Diouf. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown -
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Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown -
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UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown
About the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF)
Established by the United Nations and Canada in 2019, the Elsie Initiative Fund is an innovative, global, multilateral fund that aims to accelerate progress toward the United Nations’ gender targets in line with Security Council resolutions and the United Nations Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy 2018-2028. Funded by contributions from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, the EIF supports the sustainable deployment and meaningful participation of uniformed women peacekeepers by providing financial assistance and incentives. For more information on the EIF, please visit elsiefund.org and follow @ElsieFund on X and LinkedIn.
About UN Women
UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead UN entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social behaviours and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress – always, everywhere. Because gender equality is not just what we do. It is who we are.
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