Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) Level 1 Instructor Training,
February – May 2026 | Albania
ESD Europe, in partnership with ESD Albania, invites applications for the 2026 ESD Level 1 Instructor Training — a structured pathway designed to prepare new instructors and professionals who wish to advance Empowerment Self-Defense across Europe and beyond.
This program offers a unique opportunity to build foundational ESD facilitation skills, develop trauma-informed teaching practices, and join a global network of instructors working in over 50 countries to prevent violence and strengthen community safety.
Gentiana Susaj – ESD Europe Co-Founder, Level 4 Instructor and Trainer of trainers
(see profile below)
Anat Errel – ESD Europe Co-Founder, Senior ESD Instructor and Trainer of trainers
(see profile below)
Also Ideal For:
This Level 1 Instructor Training is also a strong fit for those who:
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✔️ Have completed Level 1A or Level 1B and want to continue toward full Level 1 certification.
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✔️ Have taken a previous Level 1 training but wish to refresh their knowledge, strengthen teaching skills, or re-align with updated ESD Europe standards.
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✔️ Completed ESD training years ago and now want to re-engage with the community, rebuild confidence, or prepare for higher-level instructor pathways.
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✔️ Are already teaching empowerment or safety content and want to update their curriculum using trauma-informed, empowerment-based methodology.
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✔️ Work professionally with women, youth, migrants, or vulnerable groups and need evidence-based, practical tools to strengthen their programming.
This training is also a continuation, consolidation, and upskilling opportunity for those already in the ESD pathway.
Applicants may be based anywhere in Europe or internationally.
Training language: English.
Who Can Apply
This training is open to:
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New or emerging ESD practitioners
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Educators, teachers, youth workers
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NGO and community-based professionals addressing GBV prevention
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Gender equality specialists
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Social workers, psychologists, activists
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Practitioners supporting women, youth, migrants, or at-risk groups
Training Format & Timeline
Online Preparatory Phase
February–March 2026 | Dates TBA
8-week program (1 session per week – 1.5 hours)
Two learning groups
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Group Sundays | Dates: 1, 8, 15, 22 March | Hours: 17:00-19:30
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Group Thursdays | Dates: 5, 12, 19, 26 March | Hours: 17:00-19:30
Content includes:
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Experiencing an ESD class
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Physical and verbal tools for Empowerment Self-Defence
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History, pedagogy and myth
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Introduction to trauma-informed approaches
Recordings available. Participants may miss up to 2 sessions if they watch the recording and complete the reflection assignment.
In-Person Training
📍 Albania
📅 26–31 May 2026 (5 nights, 6 days)
Includes 4 full training days, plus arrival, orientation, and closing day.
Focus areas:
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Experiential ESD practice
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Teaching exercises with trainer feedback
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Emotional regulation & stress management
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Community building & collaboration across countries
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Tools for implementing ESD in real settings
Post-Training Follow-Up
June–July 2026
Quarterly mentorship check-ins, community support, and evaluation via monthly zoom meetings facilitated by certified mentors.
Expected Outcomes:
Participants will:
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ESD Europe Level 1 certification
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Gain foundational ESD instructor-level skills
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Strengthen trauma-informed, empowerment-centered facilitation
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Build capacity to implement ESD in schools, communities, NGOs, and youth programs
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Join the expanding European ESD Instructor Network
Selection Criteria
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Clear motivation aligned with ESD values
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Commitment to implementing ESD locally after training
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Diversity of geography, background, and professional experience
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Ability to participate fully in both phases
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Limited spots to ensure high-quality mentoring
How to Apply
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Complete the application form https://did.li/Level1registration
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Selected applicants will be assigned to Group A or Group B for the online phase.
Participation Fees:
When you join the 2026 ESD Level 1 Instructor Training, you are investing in a complete professional development experience designed to launch your journey as a certified Empowerment Self-Defense instructor.
Your package includes:
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4 days of professional ESD training - €1,400 value
Intensive, hands-on instruction combining physical skills, pedagogy, trauma-informed practice, and teaching exercises. -
5 nights of lodging - €300 value
Comfortable accommodation so you can focus fully on learning, connection, and community-building. -
Professional photo package (10 edited photos) - €100 value
Ideal for your portfolio, website, social media, and future promotional materials. -
Official ESD Instructor T-shirt - €15 value
A professional branded item to wear during workshops and future classes. -
ESD Teaching Kit - €120 value
Includes one focus mitt, color mats, case studies, and role-play scripts to help you start teaching immediately. -
4 mentorship sessions - €160 value
Personal guidance from certified mentors to support your first months as an instructor. -
Access to an international network of instructors (50+ countries) -Priceless
A lifelong community of practitioners, opportunities, support, and global visibility.
Instead of paying the full value of €2,095 for the complete training package, you will pay only €1,200 with the Early Bird rate or €1,300 at the regular price. Scholarships of up to €200 are available for participants with financial needs.
1. Online Training:
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Early Bird: €190 (deadline 30 Dec. 2025)
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Normal Price: €240
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Scholarship: €50 (applications accepted till January 30, 2026)
2. In-Person Training (May 2026, Albania):
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Early Bird: €1100 (deadline 30 Dec. 2025)
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Normal Price: €1200
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Scholarship: €200 (applications accepted till Feb. 20, 2026)
3. Full Program (Online + In Person):
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Early Bird: €1200 (deadline 30 Feb. 2026)
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Normal Price: €1300
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Scholarship: €200 (applications accepted till January 30, 2026)
4. Back to Basics – Special Refresher Offer (Online + In Person):
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€900 (deadline 30 Feb. 2026)
Bank details:
Bank Account Number – 10782431802
IBAN Number - AL52208110080000010782431802
Account Holder Name - ESD Albania
Currency of Bank Account - EUR
Bank Organisation Name - Intesa SanPaolo Bank
Bank City and Country - Tirana, Albania
Swift / BIC Code – USALALTR
Description: Your Name – Level 1 Training 2026
Join the Movement!
Become part of a global community transforming safety, leadership, and empowerment.
Take the first step toward becoming a certified Empowerment Self-Defense Instructor.
👉 https://did.li/Level1registration
For questions:
📧 infoesdeurope@gmail.org
Meet your trainers:
Gentiana Susaj – Lead Trainer & Program Coordinator
Gentiana Susaj is the Co-Founder and Coordinator of ESD Europe and the founder of ESD Albania. With more than 20 years of international experience across Europe and Latin America, she has led programs on gender equality, violence prevention, human rights, and violence survivor protection. Gentiana is a Level 4 Certified Empowerment Self-Defense Instructor, holds a black belt in Aikido, and brings expertise from martial arts, law, and trauma-informed pedagogy.
She has trained thousands of women, youth, educators, and professionals, and has played a key role in institutionalizing ESD in Albania’s national education system. Known for her dynamic teaching style and deep commitment to empowerment, Gentiana leads the coordination, curriculum development, and training delivery for the Level 1 program.
Anat Errel – Senior Mentor & Certification Lead
Anat Errel is the Co-Founder of ESD Europe and the organization’s Mentoring and Certification Coordinator. With over 40 years of experience in martial arts, including Taiji Quan and Bagua Zhang, she is a master-level practitioner and a respected international ESD trainer.
Since 2009, Anat has specialized in teaching Empowerment Self-Defense to women at risk, asylum seekers, trans communities, autistic women, and marginalized groups. She has co-led multiple Level 1 Instructor Trainings worldwide and previously served as Regional Mentor for Europe for ESD Global.
Anat is known for her trauma-informed, highly inclusive, and deeply intuitive teaching approach, supporting new instructors through mentorship, reflection, and skill development.
Claude Jonkman - Assistant
Claude, a Swiss-Canadian mover and lifelong athlete, is driven by empowerment through sport. With a background in Rugby, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Fitness and more, she brings a dynamic blend of strength and adaptability to her work. Since 2021, she has supported people on the move in Greece through sport-for-development initiatives, using movement as a tool for confidence and resilience. Certified as an Empowerment and Self-Defense instructor with ESD Global, she focuses on creating safer, more empowered communities. In 2023, she founded EmpowerVan to continue this mission, sharing practical self-defense skills and the joy of movement with women and girls living in refugee camps in GReece diverse groups
Gohar Khachatrian - Assistant
Born and raised in Yerevan, Gohar is a certified Empowerment-Based Self-Defense (ESD) instructor and Credentialed Empowerment Self Defense Professional (ESDP). Her ESD journey began with a Training of Trainers program in Prague in 2022. Today, she now holds a Level 3 certification and has trained more than 400 participants. In addition to teaching self-defense across Armenia, Gohar works with FemLibrary, a queer feminist collective dedicated to feminist organizing, resistance, and knowledge building. She is also the co-host of Country of Dust, a narrative podcast that tells moving, and deeply human stories about life in a changing Armenia.