Introduction
Why this training matters
Across Africa, LGBTIQ+ activists continue to organise in conditions shaped by criminalisation, violence, shrinking civic space, and escalating anti-rights rhetoric. At the same time, regional and international human rights mechanisms remain important spaces for visibility, accountability, recommendation-setting, and pressure on states. Pan Africa ILGA has invested over several years in strengthening activists’ capacity to use these spaces more effectively.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from LGBTIQ+ activists, legal practitioners, and researchers who:
1. are based in Africa. Priority will be given to applicants from African States scheduled for review before the ACHPR or the UN Human Rights Council in 2027–2028;
2. have a demonstrable commitment to SOGIESC advocacy at national, regional or global level;
3. can commit to all training days and post training mentoring.
Diversity of gender, geography, language and disability status will guide final selection.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the training:
1. Participants have stronger working knowledge of the mandates, procedures, and timelines of key human rights mechanisms relevant to African LGBTIQ+ advocacy.
2. Participants can identify the most relevant advocacy entry points for their countries and issues, and can align these with political timing and organisational readiness.
3. Participants demonstrate improved practical skills in drafting submissions, recommendations, advocacy briefs, and public-facing communications linked to review processes.
4. Participating organisations have stronger internal readiness to support mechanisms-based advocacy through better planning, clearer communications, stronger budgeting, and more realistic resource mobilisation approaches.
5. Each participant, or country cluster where relevant, leaves with a draft action plan that connects mechanisms engagement to organisational development and follow-up steps.
6. Participants remain connected through a peer learning and accompaniment structure that supports continued use of the training after the in-person workshop.