Veranstaltungsort: online, online, online,
Digital Theme Days
The exchange takes place within the framework of the Digital Theme Days of the private funding programme bengo at Engagement Global. The Digital Theme Days offer you the opportunity to engage intensively with topics that are relevant to you and to network on specific topics. Unlike conventional events, the exchange rounds are not tied to a fixed programme. This flexible approach allows you to set your own priorities and focus specifically on the aspects that are relevant to you.
What is at issue?
Women’s empowerment has become a central agenda in international development. Yet the success of this agenda has also produced project models that often begin by identifying women as vulnerable, excluded or lacking capacity.
Drawing on the experiences of people who have participated in empowerment projects in their communities in Ethiopia, this workshop, led by Dr Christina Gabbert, examines how externally defined categories of vulnerability can transform women who see themselves as capable and self-determined actors into „vulnerable beneficiaries“. It explores how empowerment can become a project deliverable rather than a meaningful process of change, while interventions themselves may be perceived locally as irrelevant, ineffective or even frustrating.
In a practical session, participants are invited to identify and reflect on some familiar terms in their own project vocabulary such as “vulnerable”, “beneficiary”, “poorest of the poor” and others. Rather than asking whether these labels are technically correct, we will ask what they do: whose perspectives they privilege, whose realities they obscure and how they might prevent rather than foster meaningful collaboration.
The final part of the workshop brings this tension into practice: what can we do when we recognise the limitations of simplified categories but still have to work within funding frameworks that expect us to use them? Participants will have room to share insights and limits and to explore possibilities for more equitable and collaborative women’s projects.
Information
This exchange round will be held in English.
The seminar is free of charge.
After registration, you will receive a receipt by email, but this is not a confirmation.
You will receive a confirmation or rejection after the registration deadline (Monday, 26 October, 2026).
Are you working with a German implementing organization?
We welcome registrations from local implementing partners. Please feel free to share the event and registration link with your local partners with whom you implement projects within the Private Träger funding program, so that we can have a complete overview of the total number of registrations.
Are you registering as a local partner of a German implementing organization?
Please indicate in the registration form which German organization you are implementing Private Träger projects with.
If you have any queries, please contact bengo-informationsarbeit@engagement-global.de.
How does it work?
The event will take place via the Microsoft Teams platform. Shortly before the scheduled date, you will receive the access details. A digital whiteboard may also be used. Therefore, it is recommended that you participate using a laptop or PC, as the display on smartphones or tablets is less suitable due to the smaller screen size.
It is important that you have a working camera and audio, so that you can actively take part in the discussions.
Participation Limit
Participation in the exchange session is limited and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is therefore only possible while places remain available. In the event of high demand, we reserve the right to admit only one participant per NGO or municipality.
After registration closes on 26 October 2026, you will receive confirmation of your participation or be informed that you have been placed on the waiting list. Successful participants will also receive the access link for the web seminar.
To ensure fair access for all interested participants, please register only if you are certain you can attend. If you are unable to participate after registering, please inform us as early as possible at bengo-informationsarbeit@engagement-global.de so that your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
Thank you for your understanding.
Kontakt
Hannah Eichhorn
Phone: +49 228 20717 2131
bengo-informationsarbeit@engagement-global.de
Anmeldeschluss: Montag, 26. Oktober 2026
Für den Inhalt der Veranstaltungsankündigung ist epn Hessen mitverantwortlich. Die inhaltliche Gestaltung der Veranstaltung selbst liegt in der Verantwortung des jeweiligen Veranstalters.