Holding Ground, Reclaiming Momentum: What Works II APM Convenes Global Leadership on Violence Prevention
The APM explored the theme Holding Ground: Reclaiming Momentum for Gender Equality and VAWG Prevention.
Over four days in February, over 120 colleagues from across the What Works II consortium including researchers, implementors, funders, advisors and partners from 25 countries gathered in Istanbul, Türkiye for our Annual Programme Meeting (APM) 2026. This energising and timely event focused on how the What Works II initiative can continue to drive forward global progress in preventing violence against women and girls.
Under the theme: Holding Ground: Reclaiming Momentum for Gender Equality and VAWG Prevention, the APM provided an open and honest space for participants to reflect on shared challenges, from backlash against gender equality and the rights of women girls, to climate impacts and online violence, and chart a path forward together.
Against this backdrop, the APM created a powerful forum for collaboration, reflection and solidarity. Through a dynamic programme of strategic discussions, technical learning, peer exchange and forward-looking dialogue, participants explored our emerging evidence and effective approaches to scale.
The event brought together grantee and consortium partners, representatives from FCDO, and members of our Independent Advisory Board. Across a range of sessions and panels, participants shared insights on key issues including approaches to scale, feminist solidarity in times of rollback, accountability and safeguarding, our narrative and messaging, diversity and inclusion and writing for policy and advocacy, highlighting critical lessons and implications for the wider field.
Day one: reconnecting for collective action
The first day focused on reconnecting partners and grounding the initiative within the current global context, creating space for open reflection, learning and exchange. Through a mix of strategic discussions, capacity-building sessions and presentations, participants revisited our grants portfolio, explored emerging evidence, and deepened engagement across the What Works II ecosystem.
A key element of the day was a powerful panel discussion on feminist solidarity in a time of rollback, which brought together partners from Uganda, Kenya, Nepal and more to share lived experiences and strategies for navigating increasingly challenging environments. Discussions underscored the growing intensity of backlash, but despite these challenges, participants highlighted progress made and the power of collective action, sharing approaches such as alliance-building and grassroots mobilisation.
Following this, a session on writing for policy and advocacy shared insights around communicating evidence for influence and how research findings can support national and global change. Participants also engaged in sessions on Feminist Accountability and safeguarding, reinforcing the importance of ethical, survivor-centered approaches across all aspects of the initiative.
Overall day one set a strong and collaborative tone for the week, driven by shared purpose, learning and commitment to advancing violence prevention globally.
Day two: strengthening our voice, impact and inclusion
Day two focused on strengthening our collective voice, deepening inclusive practice and sharing insights from partners on innovative approaches to scale across settings. The day opened with a session exploring our narrative and communications and the All In: Global Leader for Ending Gender-Based Violence initiative launched last year.
A session titled ‘From Diversity and Inclusion to Belonging’ followed exploring intersectional approaches and how to effectively centre marginalised groups within programme design and delivery.
Technical sessions then explored data reporting and showcased the role of the What Works II Ending VAWC Helpdesk in turning research into timely, policy-relevant guidance for decision-makers. The day concluded with further peer exchange through grantee partner-led presentations, where partners shared lessons from implementation and how they are adapting to an evolving global context, reinforcing a strong sense of collaboration, learning and shared purpose across our diverse global network.
Day three: turning evidence into impact
Day three focused on emerging evidence and approaches to scale. Baseline research insights were shared, alongside reflections on ethics and learnings. Discussions then examined definitions and pathways to scale, and attendees learned from each other’s experiences of scaling.
The day began with taking stock of progress across the research portfolio, highlighting the breadth of studies underway and early insights from baseline findings from studies with adult women and children.
The afternoon session explored approaches to scale, with participants examining practical pathways for expanding effective interventions. Drawing on lessons from across the initiative, sessions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of scaling, from government engagement to the importance of strong partnerships, community trust and flexible, evidence-based models. Overall, day three reinforced the programme’s commitment to building a robust evidence base while advancing sustainable, feminist-informed approaches to scaling violence prevention efforts.
Day four: final reflections
The final day of the APM focused on scale and sustainability. In the morning, through an interactive group exercise, participants explored key enablers and challenges to scaling interventions, sharing lessons from their journeys so far.
A closing panel then turned to the future of finance for GBV prevention, examining innovative and diversified funding approaches while reaffirming our commitment to our Feminist Principles.
What Works II is the UK’s flagship global initiative to end violence against women and girls. Evidence from first phase of the initiative has shown that violence in homes, schools, and communities can be reduced by 50% in under three years – demonstrating that prevention is possible.
The APM 2026 further reaffirmed the power of collaboration and global partnerships, across research, policy, practice and countries, to learn, share, and drive forward what works to prevent violence, building the momentum and evidence needed for lasting change and safer futures for women and girls worldwide.
More information
View the full APM 2026 Image Gallery
Explore our Evidence Hub
Read more about our Feminist Principles
Find out more about our grantee partners
Learn about our Grantees
Our grants include Innovation and Scale grants across a number of focus areas. In our first funding round, eight grants have been awarded.