Applications are now being accepted for a fully funded, in-person training programme designed to help African human rights defenders strengthen their engagement with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Organised by DefendDefenders, Front Line Defenders, and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), the programme is intended for experienced advocates who want to use regional human rights mechanisms more effectively to advance change within their own countries.

Participants will gain practical knowledge on how the ACHPR operates and how its different mechanisms can be used to support national advocacy efforts. The training will explore areas such as state reporting, Special Rapporteurs, communications procedures, country visits, and other engagement opportunities. Through practical exercises and real-life examples, attendees will build skills that can be directly applied to their ongoing human rights work.

The programme also provides an opportunity to connect with fellow human rights defenders from across Africa while taking part in advocacy activities linked to the NGO Forum organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS). Participants will also attend the opening day of the 89th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, allowing them to engage with policymakers, commissioners, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders.

The training is expected to take place in Dakar, Senegal, between 15 and 21 October 2026, with the exact schedule to be confirmed. Before travelling to Senegal, all selected participants will be required to attend two compulsory online preparatory sessions. The in-person component will include two and a half days of workshops alongside participation in the three-day NGO Forum and the opening day of the Commission’s session. Sessions will be conducted in both English and French, with simultaneous interpretation available throughout the programme.

The opportunity is open to experienced African human rights defenders who have at least five years of advocacy experience at the national level and are interested in expanding their engagement with regional human rights institutions. Particular consideration will be given to applicants from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

Successful applicants will receive full financial support for their participation, including international travel, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the programme.

Applications must include a completed application form, an up-to-date curriculum vitae, and a reference letter from someone outside the applicant’s current organisation. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Interested candidates are encouraged to carefully read the programme requirements and prepare all supporting documents before submitting their application. The deadline for applications is midnight (Dakar time) on 26 July 2026.

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