Islamabad, Pakistan – 21 November 2025 – Twenty-eight community-based organizations from across Pakistan convened in Islamabad for a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) under The Learning Network (TLN), a capacity-strengthening initiative of UNFPA Pakistan, supported by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented by Group Development Pakistan (GDP). The training brought together youth-led, women-led, transgender-led, and minority-led organizations working at the frontlines of social change and protection. Participants represented a broad geographic spread, joining from Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, Chiniot, Swat, Peshawar, Buner, Quetta, Hyderabad, and Skardu.
Grounded in international human rights principles including non-discrimination, participation, accountability, and informed decision-making The Learning Network aims to equip community actors with the skills required to uphold and advance the rights and dignity of adolescents, young people, and persons living in vulnerable circumstances. TLN places particular emphasis on strengthening organizational competencies to provide safe, inclusive, and accessible community support in alignment with global protection standards.
Over three days, participants engaged with thematic areas central to the realization of human rights and wellbeing, including Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health and Rights, Life Skills-Based Education, HIV and STI prevention, Gender-Based Violence prevention and response, Mental Health and psychosocial wellbeing, and Climate Resilience.
The training opened with Dr. Rubina Ali, Assistant Representative at UNFPA Pakistan, who said, “This training brings together organizations leading critical work across Pakistan, each offering unique insights shaped by their communities. The Learning Network creates a shared space where national and global connections strengthen leadership, deepen collaboration, and expand what each organisation can achieve. Networks like this are essential because they allow ideas, experiences, and solutions to travel farther and create stronger impact.”
Day One introduced the rights-based foundations of TLN, examining the intersecting vulnerabilities experienced by adolescents, women, girls, transgender persons, and displaced populations, while exploring systemic barriers to rights realisation including discriminatory norms, limited access to services, and structural inequalities and encouraging participants to reflect on their responsibilities as duty-bearers within their communities. Day Two strengthened participants’ capacity to design and implement community-led initiatives aligned with human rights standards through experiential modules on project planning, resource mobilization, advocacy and negotiation, emphasising inclusive programming and meaningful engagement with rights-holders, particularly marginalised groups. Day Three provided space for applied learning, with participants developing full community project plans using a structured template incorporating objectives, outcomes, timelines, budgets, and risk considerations, complemented by a session on narrative building and storytelling to support the delivery of accurate, sensitive, and culturally aware rights-based messaging.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ms. Sameen Sheikh, Executive Director, Group Development Pakistan, stated: “These organizations carry an immense responsibility, and supporting their growth is central to our mission. Over these three days, we witnessed thoughtful dialogue, honest questioning, and a strong desire to improve how we reach vulnerable groups. The Learning Network gives them tools, confidence, and a sense of shared purpose.”
Ms. Faiza Mir, Project Manager, GDP, added: “The Learning Network is designed to strengthen how organizations understand and support the communities they work with. Throughout the training, participants engaged with depth and honesty, showing a clear commitment to improving the way they communicate sensitive information and guide young people. Their energy reflects the purpose of the programme and the impact it aims to create.”
UNFPA Pakistan and GDP will continue to accompany participating organizations through mentoring, digital learning, and peer exchange to ensure these capacities translate into long-term, rights-affirming community action across Pakistan.
