Restless Development Calls for Positive Masculinity Champions in the UK and Nepal

Restless Development, a global youth-led development agency, has announced an exciting opportunity for young men aged 18–30 from Newcastle (England) and Madhesh Province (Nepal) to become Positive Masculinity Champions (PMCs) under the “What It Means to Be a Young Man Today” project.

This initiative, supported by the British Council’s Youth Connect Collaboration Grants 2025, invites passionate and socially conscious young men to lead meaningful conversations around gender equality, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote positive masculinity in their communities.

Applications close on Monday, November 10, 2025, and successful candidates will begin their work between December 2025 and March 2026.

About Restless Development

Restless Development is an international youth-powered agency operating across nine countries including the UK, Nepal, India, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the USA. The organization empowers young people to drive social change through leadership, advocacy, and community engagement.

With a growing network of over 5,500 youth-led organizations in 185 countries, Restless Development champions “Youth Power” — the idea that young people are not just beneficiaries of development but active leaders creating solutions for a better world.

Safeguarding is central to the organization’s work. All volunteers and staff are required to uphold the organization’s strict policies to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm.

About the Project

“What It Means to Be a Young Man Today” is a cross-cultural initiative designed to promote gender equality and social inclusion by redefining masculinity. The project explores how societal pressures, migration, online polarization, and inequality shape the identities of young men in the UK and Nepal.

By fostering dialogue and creative storytelling, the initiative encourages young men to build empathy, accountability, and peace. The goal is to help participants challenge harmful gender norms, bridge cultural divides, and co-create more inclusive communities.

At its core, the project highlights youth leadership, dialogue, and creativity — empowering young men to reflect on and reshape what masculinity means in the modern world.

Objectives of the Project

The Positive Masculinity Champions will:

• Equip young people with the skills to promote gender equality and positive masculinity within their communities.

• Lead youth-driven initiatives in Newcastle and Madhesh, fostering inclusive models of manhood rooted in empathy and respect.

• Participate in a virtual Global Youth Hack with peers from around the world to co-design a digital campaign on positive masculinity, launched on International Women’s Day (8 March 2026).

• Contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion, countering harmful online narratives through creative storytelling and community action.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each Positive Masculinity Champion will:

• Attend a foundational virtual training before the project launch.

• Lead community-based projects engaging peers in open dialogue about masculinity and equality.

• Participate in two-day virtual Youth Hack/Media Lab sessions to exchange experiences and create collaborative campaigns.

• Co-facilitate a joint digital campaign to be launched globally on International Women’s Day 2026.

• Produce reports, case studies, photo essays, and storytelling materials to document their impact.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be aged 18–30 years.

• Be based in Newcastle (UK) or Madhesh Province (Nepal) with the right to work in those countries.

• Demonstrate a strong interest in gender equality, social inclusion, and youth empowerment.

• Have experience in community engagement, youth activism, or digital campaigning.

• Be comfortable working remotely and have access to a stable internet connection.

• Have the ability to mobilize local youth for in-person community action.

Benefits and Compensation

• A monthly stipend of £180.

• A seed grant to design and implement a local action project.

• Mentorship and leadership development opportunities.

• Access to cross-cultural collaboration with peers from Nepal and the UK.

• Visibility through Restless Development’s global platforms and networks.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by Monday, November 10, 2025.
Interested candidates can learn more about the opportunity and access detailed Terms of Reference, including a Nepali version, on the Restless Development website.

This is a unique opportunity to redefine masculinity, promote equality, and drive positive social change from the ground up.

Stay HERE for more opportunities.

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