Application Deadline: 15 January 2026, midnight CET (Geneva Time)
Applications are now open for the 2026 ISHR Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Program. The 2026 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP26), which will take place both remotely and in Geneva and will be focused on thematic and context area!
- Mandatory distance learning course: 13 April – 8 June 2026 (part-time)
- In-person course: 10–20 June 2026 (full-time)
The annual Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Programme, (HRDAP)
equips HRDs with the knowledge and skills to integrate the system into their existing work at
the national level in a strategic manner. The programme also provides an opportunity for
participants to engage in lobbying and advocacy activities at the UN with the aim to effect
change back home.
Programme Details
The HRDAP programme consists of the following elements:
- A 8-week distance learning course to support participants to consolidate existing knowledge and develop advocacy objectives, which includes access to:
- The HRDAP Platform, where you can access interactive learning materials including e-learning courses on each key UN human rights mechanism (the Human Rights Council; the Special Procedures; the Universal Periodic Review; the Treaty Bodies ) and on advocacy strategies.
- Interactive learning materials and case studies on the ISHR Academy
- Live Questions and Answers and practical sessions with human rights experts.
- Other tools and resources to support defenders’ advocacy work.
An intensive in-person training of 10 days to finalise the personalised advocacy roadmap, enhance knowledge, skills, attitude and confidence, which will include:
- Refreshers on each UN Human Rights Mechanisms.
- Additional sessions on how to address reprisals, crafting effective narratives at the UN, how to implement UN recommendations at the domestic level and wellbeing.
- Case-studies scenarios to practise real-life situations and submissions.
- Workshops on how to engage and act as human rights defenders to influence outcomes of the Human Right Council sessions and other UN fora.
- Exclusive sessions with diplomats, experts, NGOs and UN Mandates holders.
- Sharing stories of good practices.
Course requirements
In order to complete HRDAP and receive a certification, participants will be required to:
- Complete approximately 7 hours of work per week, which includes completing pre-reading resources, such as ISHR Academy modules and e-learnings.
- Take part actively and consistently in live webinars, Q&A sessions and forum discussions held online.
- Be present and actively participate during the in-person session and prepare in advance necessary requirements.
- Attend and participate in individual and group coaching sessions, which will be held via videoconference and in-person.
- Develop and submit a set of personal advocacy objectives by submitting short individual assignments every 2 weeks, as well as a final submission at the end of the course which will outline the defender’s “Advocacy Roadmap” (i.e theory of change).
- Prepare some advocacy tools/documents to support advocacy activities in Geneva.
Application process
By midnight Geneva time on Thursday 15 January 2026 each applicant must:
- Submit a completed application form available here (take some time to read carefully
the requirements and collect information you need, maybe save your answer in a
Google doc or Word document for instance); - Attach 2 letters of recommendation to your application form (preferably in English, but
we also accept Arabic, French or Spanish): those letters shall be signed and submitted in
PDF format. The recommendations shall come from 2 different organisations and dated
2025. - The Smartsheet application form will indicate to you if your application has been submitted
with success, and we encourage you to tick the box at the end of the ‘send me a copy of my
responses’ and or prepare in a separate document to save your work.
Cost
- The tuition fee is 1000 Swiss Francs (CHF), and the average cost of travel, accommodation,
meals, per diem and programme logistics administration is approximately 3000 CHF for the 10
days period.
Scholarships
- Full scholarships cover the whole cost of 4000 CHF, whilst partial scholarships may cover either the 1000 CHF tuition fee. Scholarships will be attributed at ISHR’s discretion, based on your need assessment.
- Finally, participants may need to secure funding to ensure stable and reliable internet access and connectivity throughout the duration of the distance learning course.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the ISHR Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Program
