propulsion

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Become a Partner in the CybHER Programme: 

Her Cyber: Empowering Women and Girls in Cyber

The British Council and Propulsion invite cybersecurity-focused organizations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to join the Gender Sensitivity in HR Policies for Cybersecurity Organizations initiative.

This activity will support up to 15 organizations per country in revising their recruitment, retention, promotion, and workplace safety policies to create a gender-supportive environment. Through evidence-based workshops, tailored technical assistance, and showcasing best practices, the initiative aims to catalyze systemic change within the cybersecurity sector and strengthen organizational capacity for gender-sensitive HR policies.

About the Programme

CybHER is a regional programme implemented in six Western Balkan countries, aiming to empower women and girls in cybersecurity and support a more inclusive, diverse, and future-ready talent pipeline.

The programme is funded by the UK government and implemented by the British Council. One of the programme components is related to the enhancement of Gender Sensitivity in HR Policies for Cybersecurity Organizations. This initiative is implemented with the support of Propulsion, and industry leaders who recognize the value of gender inclusion and early-career mentoring in tech.

This initiative addresses key HR challenges in the cybersecurity sector by:

• – Eliminating potential gender bias in recruitment
• – Expanding diverse talent pools
• – Ensuring equal career advancement opportunities
• – Creating safe and inclusive work environments for women

It will deliver:

• – Two one-day workshops per country for HR professionals
• – Technical assistance to support HR policy adjustments
• – Practical toolkits and guidance for gender-sensitive recruitment, retention, promotion, and workplace safety
• – Final national public event showcasing organizations that have successfully implemented changes

Who Can Apply?

Eligible participants are:

• – Cybersecurity-focused organizations (public or private)
• – Organizations with a dedicated cybersecurity department or personnel
• – Organizations willing to commit HR professionals/ Managers or Directors to attend training sessions and follow-up technical assistance

Why Participate?

Selected organizations will:

• – Strengthen their HR systems to attract and retain diverse talent
• – Improve workplace culture and inclusion standards
• – Gain access to tailored technical assistance
• – Be featured in best practice case studies at public dissemination events (national visibility)
• – Position themselves as active promoters and contributors to gender equity in the cybersecurity sector

Programme Outline

Workshops:

• – Two one-day workshops per country (up to 15 participants) on:
  
  1. Gender-sensitive recruitment policies and practices
  2. Gender-sensitive retention policies (including work–life balance)
  3. Gender-sensitive promotion policies and practices
  4. Gender-sensitive workplace safety policies

Support:

• – Technical assistance to at least 5 organizations per country to adapt their HR policies
• – Development of a toolkit and guidance for gender-sensitive HR practices

Visibility:

• – 6 national public events (one per country) with 80–100 attendees, showcasing best practice examples
  

How to Apply

Organizations interested in participating are invited to express their interest by completing the application form below.

Deadline for applications: September 10, 2025

Following the selection, the British Council and Propulsion will contact chosen organizations to confirm participation, provide workshop details, and schedule technical assistance sessions.

For questions, please contact Ivana Jovanović at ijovanovic@propulsion.one.

 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Become a Partner in the CybHER Programme: 

Her Cyber: Empowering Women and Girls in Cyber 

The British Council and Propulsion invite forward-thinking companies in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to join the Her Cyber: Empowering Women and Girls in Cyber Internship scheme project as host organizations for a new generation of women in cybersecurity.

About the Programme

CybHER is a regional programme implemented in six Western Balkan economies, aiming to empower women and girls in cybersecurity and support a more inclusive, diverse, and future-ready talent pipeline.

The initiative is funded by the UK government and implemented by the British Council, in partnership with Propulsion, and industry leaders who recognize the value of gender inclusion and early-career mentoring in tech.

Who Can Apply?

Only companies whose core business is cybersecurity or who have a dedicated cybersecurity department and designated cybersecurity personnel are eligible to participate.

This criterion ensures that interns are placed in environments where their learning and development in cybersecurity can be meaningfully supported.

Why Become a Host Organization?

By participating in this internship programme, your company will:

• – Gain access to motivated, skilled interns trained in IT or engineering
• – Contribute to gender equality in the cybersecurity workforce
• – Position your company as a socially responsible leader in the digital industry
• – Establish partnership with the British Council, opening opportunities for future collaboration, visibility, and engagement in international programmes.

Each selected company will host intern/s in their cybersecurity team for a period of three months (estimated dates September–December 2025). Interested applicants should comply with the following: 

• – Final-year undergraduate students in IT or engineering, or
• – Recent graduates in IT or engineering actively seeking employment

or Master’s students in IT or engineering looking to enter the job market

Host Responsibilities

Participating organizations will:

• – Offer a three-month placement within a cybersecurity department or project
• – Define learning objectives and real-world tasks for the intern
• – Appoint a mentor to guide the intern’s development
• – Ensure a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• – Accept the programme’s stipend arrangement (the British Council fully covers stipend)

Each selected company will sign an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to formalize participation and define obligations, reporting mechanisms, and timelines.

Apply below

Companies interested in hosting a CybHER intern are invited to express their interest by completing the application form below. Following this, the British Council and Propulsion will schedule meetings with shortlisted companies. Once selection process if finalised, Propulsion will facilitate in coordination with British Council an introductory meeting with selected companies to discuss logistics, intern profiles, and MoU formalization.