RECOFTC
WAVES

Call for applications: Weaving Leadership for Gender Equality

waves-call-for-application-image

RECOFTC is seeking early-career professionals from Asia to apply for the Weaving Leadership for Gender Equality (WAVES) programme.

WAVES is a regional initiative that builds capacity among young leaders to tackle gender inequalities in sustainable landscape management, particularly within the forestry and climate change contexts. The programme aims to strengthen leadership, advocacy and policy influence in community forestry for gender equality in the face of the climate crisis.

Supported by the Government of Sweden, WAVES was launched in 2019. From 2019 to 2022, we trained 36 gender leaders, supporting them in advocacy and gender mainstreaming. We are currently expanding this work.

Regional priorities

WAVES is open to applicants across the broader Asian region. However, priority is given to candidates from:

  • RECOFTC focal countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam
  • member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN and least developed countries or LDCs

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

  • have demonstrated experience in gender and social inclusion work in forestry, climate change or natural resource management
  • be affiliated with government agencies, civil society organizations, academia or the private sector, working in gender equality, forestry or climate change
  • be early-career professionals (no more than 35 years old at the time of application)
  • have employer or mentor approval to dedicate around 10 per cent of their work time to the programme
  • be ready to commit time to engage with the programme over a period of 15 months
  • have proficiency in English to participate effectively in the training
  • be willing to travel for in-person workshops

Format

The WAVES format includes:

  • kick-off workshop (in-person, Bangkok) – introduction to key concepts and networking opportunities
  • six online learning modules – covering climate change, gender equality and leadership
  • transformative project implementation – participants design and implement a gender-focused project with mentorship from RECOFTC
  • capstone workshop (Bangkok) – reflection, knowledge-sharing and certification upon successful completion

Timeline

Application opens: 8 March 2025

Application deadline: 8 April 2025

Successful candidates notified: 8 May 2025

Startup workshop (Bangkok): August 2025

Midterm workshop: Jan 2026

Transformative change project implementation: March–2026-August 2026

Capstone workshop: November 2026

Application process

An application form will be made available on 8 March 2025. 

Applicants who can partially co-finance their travel are encouraged to apply.

Only selected candidates will be notified.

About WAVES

WAVES is RECOFTC’s flagship capacity-building programme on gender equality and social inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region. It aims at increasing leadership capacity among early-career professionals to tackle systemic inequities and marginalization that often result from the institutionalization of patriarchal norms in the forestry and landscape management sector.

WAVES is based on the idea that stronger leadership and expertise will improve inclusive policy processes and enhance investment in ways to promote gender equality. The programme is a response to our recognition that gender equality and equity are preconditions for sustainable forest governance.

More information about WAVES can be found here .