FAQ about the WiC 1325 Fellowship

What is the Beyond Borders Scotland WiC 1325 Fellowship about?

The Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship is based around the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which “reaffirms the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction, and stresses the importance of their equal participation in all efforts for the promotion of peace and security”.

The programme takes the form of workshop/discussion-based sessions and provides space for participants to learn with and from each other through sharing experiences, knowledge, and examples of successes and obstacles faced in their work. Participants in this programme are new Fellows.

The WiC 1325 Fellowship is funded and supported by the Scottish Government.

What are the goals of the Fellowship Programme?

The Fellowship Programme aims to:

• provide a platform enabling the sharing of experiences in relation to UNSCR1325 and the global Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda; women’s roles in peace building and conflict resolution; and gender equality;
• facilitate peer to peer learning providing a safe space for Fellows to learn from each other through sharing experiences, ideas and challenges faced in their different contexts;
• explore the equal and meaningful participation of women in peace processes, peace building, and more widely in society, including identifying challenges and entry points;
• facilitate a network of women engaged in an on-going learning and experience-sharing process, building a sustainable and evolving alumnae community;
• provide guidance on topics including: mediation; conflict analysis, political transitional justice; constitution building; gender equality; policy advocacy; and self-care strategies, among others.

What are the Fellowship topics?

The Women in Conflict 1325 Fellow runs 3 times throughout the year, in Winter, Spring and Summer.

The Winter Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme will seek to explore the UN1325 Women Peace and Security agenda and how this has impacted on women’s roles in peacebuilding. The programme is based around the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which “reaffirms the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction, and stresses the importance of their equal participation in all efforts for the promotion of peace and security.”

The Spring programme will be focuses on the theme of Gender, Conflict and the Climate Crisis and will focus on the interlinkage between Climate Change, Gender and Conflict by covering the following topics: Gender, Gender Equality and the WPS Agenda; the Essence of Mediation and the Role of the Mediator; Exploring the Gender, Climate, and Conflict Nexus; Women at the Frontlines of Conflicts and Climate Change; Empowering Women to Face Climate Change; Building and Supporting Grassroots Movements; Exploring Loss and Damage; and Self-care and Wellbeing.

The Summer Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme on The Arts as a Tool for Peacebuilding will focus upon the role and use of the creative arts as a tool for peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Throughout the week-long residential programme, we will explore how different artistic mediums can be used to foster peace, justice, and to promote gender equality. We will also look at how the arts can be used as a tool for inclusion and the meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, and the direct and indirect roles that the arts play in conflict environments. The programme takes the form of workshop/discussion-based sessions and provides space for participants to learn with and from each other through sharing experiences, knowledge, and examples of successes and obstacles faced in their work.

Who can apply?

All levels of experience are considered. However, we do ask for some level of experience or interest in conflict and peacebuilding.

For the climate-focused fellowship, it is not necessary to have climate crisis work experience or education experience. However, applicants with more interest or experience in climate crisis work will be prioritised.

Likewise, for the arts-focused fellowship, it is not necessary to have professional arts experience but applicants with more experience or interest in the arts will be prioritised.

What countries are considered?

We welcome applications from any country that has recently been or is currently affected by conflict even if you are not currently living there.

Can I apply if I require a visa to travel to the United Kingdom?

Yes. If you are accepted, we will assist with the visa application process.

If you have previously applied for United Kingdom, United States, or Schengen visas in the past and have been rejected you are still welcome to apply. However, please provide reasoning as to why you received the rejection.

If you have to travel to another city or country to apply for a visa you are also still encouraged to apply.

Can I apply to attend part of the programme?

Due to the structure and nature of the WiC 1325 Fellowship Programme, we do not allow applicants for only part of the programme. You must be able to attend the full programme.

Can I apply to attend the programme virtually?

Similar to the above question, due to the programme’s structure, we do not allow hybrid or virtual attendance. All travel costs are supported by Beyond Borders Scotland to allow participants to join in person in Scotland.

What do I need to apply?

To apply for the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme, we ask for:

• A Completed Application Form
• An Up-to-date CV or professional biography
• A Copy of your Passport

Please note, if you do not hear back within 2 weeks of the applications closing, assume your application has been unsuccessful.