Call for Expressions of Interest: Local Coordination and Advisory Partnership
Arabic-Language Regional Human Rights Session 2028
DEADLINE for Expressions of Interest: November 15, 2026
About Equitas
Since 1967, Equitas has been an influential Canadian human rights organization working with individuals, communities, institutions, and organizations in Canada and around the world to address growing threats to democratic rights and values, empowering people through education to understand, claim, and exercise their rights.
Its flagship International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) has brought together human rights defenders and educators in Montréal for over 40 years. This intensive program provides participants with practical tools to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of their work, while fostering dialogue across differences. Thousands of human rights defenders from more than 140 countries have taken part in the IHRTP and now form a global network of alumni leading social change in their communities.
Building on this success, Equitas has supported the creation of alumni-led regional training programs that bring human rights education closer to regional realities, notably the East Africa Human Rights Program (EAHRP), which will hold its 10th and 11th editions in 2027 and 2028, and the Regional Human Rights Training Session in French-Speaking Africa (SRFDH), which will hold its 9th edition in Côte d’Ivoire in January 2027.
In parallel, Equitas has maintained an engagement of more than 20 years in South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA), working with civil society organizations, youth leaders, and human rights defenders in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. This work has focused on strengthening democratic citizenship, advancing gender equality and women’s rights, and promoting economic and social rights, by equipping local actors to design and lead community initiatives and to engage with decision-makers.
An Inaugural Arabic-Language Regional Session
Drawing on this experience and on its strong network of alumni from the region, Equitas is launching an inaugural Arabic-Language Regional Human Rights Session. Delivered entirely in Arabic, this two-weeks program aims to remove language barriers and reach grassroots defenders who are often excluded from English- or French-language trainings. It will bring together up to 45 human rights educators and defenders working in Arabic-speaking contexts across the SWANA region.
Equitas will organize this first edition, including a planning meeting, in partnership with a local organization. The host country will be determined in light of the expressions of interest received and of contextual and security considerations.
To support this work, Equitas is inviting expressions of interest from organizations interested in serving as a Local Coordination and Advisory Partner.
Partnership Opportunity
We are seeking an organization that could contribute strategic, contextual and coordination support in areas such as:
- Contextual and risk advisory support , including the security of participants travelling from across the region
- Partnership and stakeholder liaison
- Advice related to local coordination and implementation arrangements
- Support in identifying partners and venues
- Outreach through relevant networks
- Organize an in person planning and coordination meeting , as well as online meetings (including collaboration for launch of application and selection of participants, facilitators and resource persons)
- Planning, coordinating and implementing the logistics for the two-week EAHRP
- Supporting the adaptation and review of training materials in Arabic
- Contribute to the development and implementation of a strategic framework to secure funding opportunities for human rights defenders
- Other collaboration opportunities identified jointly
Profile Sought
We welcome expressions of interest from organizations that:
- Are legally registered and operating in the country;
- Have demonstrated commitment to human rights, equality, and inclusive practices;
- Have experience in partnership-building, international convenings, or coordination support ;
- Have an experience conducting human rights education programs such as training workshops using a participatory approach;
- Have strong contextual knowledge of the country and the SWANA region;
- Demonstrate operational reliability and sound governance;
- Can work fluently in Arabic, and in English or French to engage with Equitas and international partners.
Regional networks, civil society organizations, and other entities with proven expertise in coordinating human rights trainings are encouraged to express interest.
What to Submit
Interested organizations are invited to submit a brief expression of interest (maximum 4 pages) including:
- Organizational profile ;
- Relevant experience related to this opportunity ;
- Brief description of how your organization could contribute to this partnership ;
- Initial thoughts on opportunities and risks related to hosting the Arabic-Language Regional Session in the country ;
- A work plan and a proposed budget (see Contractual and Financial Arrangements below) ;
- Contact person(s).
Optional supporting materials (links, brochures, references) may be included.
Contractual and Financial Arrangements
The selected organization will be engaged under a consultancy agreement with Equitas, defining the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, and payment schedule. Interested organizations are invited to propose a consultancy fee for the services described above, indicating the daily rate, the estimated number of days, and the total amount. The proposed budget should clearly distinguish between:
- Consultancy fees, covering the organization’s staff time and services, broken down by main deliverable (e.g., planning meeting, outreach and selection support, logistics coordination, on-site support during the session); and
- Estimated logistics costs managed on behalf of the program (e.g., venue, accommodation and meals, local and regional transportation), which will be finalized with Equitas at a later stage.
Payments will be made in installments tied to the completion of agreed deliverables. As the session is part of a project funded by an institutional donor, the selected organization will be required to follow Equitas’ procurement and financial requirements, including obtaining competitive quotes for major logistics expenses and providing financial reports with supporting documentation. Budgets must be presented in CAD.
Selection Process
Expressions of interest will be reviewed based on:
- Alignment with Equitas values and vision
- Relevant experience and capacities
- Contextual knowledge
- Strategic and operational fit
- Risk awareness and partnership potential
Shortlisted organizations may be invited for follow-up discussions.
Equitas reserves the right not to proceed with a partnership selection through this process.
Submission
Please submit expressions of interest by November 15, 2026 to: zzellag@equitas.org
Questions may also be directed to: zzellag@equitas.org
Subject line: EOI – Partnership / Arabic-Language Regional Session [2027-2028]
We welcome expressions of interest from organizations interested in contributing to an inclusive, globally engaged human rights learning space rooted in partnership and solidarity.