The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations (EIF) has officially launched its Fourth Programming Round, offering a significant opportunity for UN Member States and UN entities to advance gender-responsive reforms in peacekeeping. The announcement took place at UN Women Headquarters in New York, bringing together senior UN leaders, Member States, partners, and donors committed to strengthening women’s participation in peace operations.
The launch comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, underscoring renewed global attention toward ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping.
The EIF is a global fund dedicated to supporting evidence-based institutional reforms that remove barriers preventing uniformed women from participating in UN Peacekeeping Operations. It aligns closely with key UN frameworks, including Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+), the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS), and the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace. By connecting evidence with action, the EIF transforms global commitments into tangible, sustainable results.
Senior UN leaders emphasized the Fund’s impact in helping countries assess obstacles, implement gender-responsive reforms, deploy Gender-Strong Units, and trial innovative approaches. EIF-supported initiatives in countries such as Senegal, Uruguay, and Fiji were highlighted as examples of meaningful progress.
Call for Proposals Now Open
The EIF has opened its call for Letters of Interest (LOIs) for the Fourth Programming Round. Applications are welcomed from:
- Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries (T/PCCs)
- UN entities
Eligible proposals may focus on barrier assessments, institutional reform plans, or the deployment of Gender-Strong Units, all aimed at strengthening women’s participation in peacekeeping.
Deadline for LOIs: 31 January 2026
Impact of the EIF
Since its creation in 2019, the Elsie Initiative Fund has provided financial and technical support to:
- 26 security institutions
- Across 16 Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries
- And three UN Peace Operations
These efforts have helped catalyse institutional transformation and promote gender-responsive peace and security institutions globally.
For more information and to access application details, visit this page.
https://elsiefund.org/fourth-programming-round
About the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF)
Established by the United Nations and Canada in 2019, the EIF is a multilateral fund designed to accelerate progress toward the UN gender targets for uniformed personnel. Supported by donors including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom, the Fund provides financial incentives and technical support enabling the meaningful deployment of uniformed women peacekeepers. More information is available at elsiefund.org and on X and LinkedIn.
About UN Women
UN Women is the UN entity dedicated to advancing gender equality and the rights of all women and girls. Through global policy leadership, advocacy, and programming, UN Women works to transform laws, institutions, and social norms to create a more equitable world.
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The Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has opened its Fourth Programming Round, inviting Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries and UN entities to submit Letters of Interest by 31 January 2026. The EIF supports gender-responsive institutional reforms that advance the meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peacekeeping. Since 2019, the Fund has provided technical and financial support to 26 security institutions across 16 countries and three UN missions. This new call builds on global commitments to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and offers an opportunity to implement barrier assessments, institutional reforms, or deploy Gender-Strong Units.
For more information, click here.