Local knowledge. Global impact. Impact report 2018

Contents

Welcome from our CEO 3

The year in numbers 4

Where we work 6

Our strategy 8

Burundi 10

Democratic Republic of Congo 12

Mali 16

Nigeria 18

Pakistan 21

Philippines 23

Somalia 26

Sri Lanka 28

Sudan 30

Syria 32

Zimbabwe 34

Local voices on a global level 36

Finances 42

Acknowledgement and thanks 44

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 1 2 Working with inspiring individuals to be the first responders to “Countless times in 2018, and communities at the centre outbreaks of violence, mediators of efforts from of community disputes, and to , in 2018 we constructors of peaceful local peacebuilders have supported almost 24,000 people and resilient communities. to turn away from violence and Countless times in 2018, local build peace from the ground up. peacebuilders have shown shown amazing bravery, Effective prevention of conflict amazing bravery, strength and requires longer term early action Ubuntu. On this page, I have that focuses on strengthening highlighted just a few of the strength and Ubuntu.” local capacities and supporting ways we are making a difference. existing peacebuilders. While Our impact report shines a funding is one important element, light on many more of the local we know that true partnerships people building peace, even in are also based on support, the toughest of circumstances. accompaniment and solidarity. By helping make our work and our mission to stop wars one For example, in Mali, we worked person at a time a reality, the with our local partner to support year ahead promises to be just 20 peace initiatives across as impactful. the country (page 16). From citizen reconciliation assemblies between ethnic communities to local radio debates, the work reached 3,648 people. In DR Dylan Mathews Congo, we supported 680 Chief Executive ex-combatants now trying to build livelihoods to work towards mining gold in an ethical and Welcome environmentally friendly way and strengthen their prospects from our for peace (page 13). We gained international media coverage for Peace Direct and our partners CEO (page 39) and raised the profile of local peacebuilding in CAR, and Colombia at policy Ubuntu means “I am because and decision-making levels we are.” At the start of our (page 38). Peace Exchange in Lebanon, a collaborative learning In 2018, we had the privilege workshop, (see page 40) one of supporting 70 inspiring local of our longstanding Congolese organisations in 11 countries, and partners said that it sums up his learning from them every day. motivation for peacebuilding; Throughout the year, we reflected the humanity, connection with our partners together on and the bond which all of us how to improve learning and wish to develop. When I look collaboration; ensuring we back on what we achieved in provide support to grassroots 2018, it perfectly captures our peacebuilding work in the long approach to putting the people term, enabling our partners building peace at the centre of to operate autonomously, all we do; not just focussing on and ultimately having a bigger preventing conflict and violence peacebuilding impact. – but building compassion, understanding and Ubuntu into Thanks to your support, we’re everything we do. supporting local peacebuilders

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 3 The year in ‘Peace Rallies’ in In Mali, brought together numbers 618

500 people participated We believe that by working at students to promote peace in peacebuilding the grassroots level, we can find solutions to violence and pathways in their communities ahead activities enabled by to peace that last. of the 2019 elections. Peace Direct grants.

These figures highlight some of our key successes in 2018.

We worked with over 70 inspiring local organisations in 11 countries.

In Somalia, 107 young people In DR Congo, turned away from approximately violence and gained new vocational skills 2,230 to start their own 200 cases were businesses. women in the Philippines resolved in were trained in conflict local Peace resolution and women’s rights. Courts.

4 90 9 traditional leaders research reports were in were trained in published, sharing key preventing violence around findings and perspectives political events, ensuring that of local peacebuilders on no incidents of violence or key policy issues. intimidation were reported during the July elections in Hurungwe.

In Burundi, 794 people benefitted from the violence response activities led by our local partner.

In , 435 young people joined dialogues in universities and In DR Congo, colleges to discuss non-violence and 50 peacebuilding. former child soldiers 1,700 local peacebuilding organisations were were supported featured on Peace Insight, highlighting to reintegrate into grassroots peacebuilding efforts worldwide. their communities.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 5 Where we Through the local Peace work Committees led by our local partners in southern Sudan, violence is prevented and Led by local people, we tackle disputes are resolved quickly the causes of violence at the before they escalate. root, and rebuild lives after war has torn communities apart. We are dedicated to making peace a practical option for as many people as possible, by supporting local organisations building peace in the way that works best in their communities.

From empowering young people Mali from diverse backgrounds to Our local partner supports find common ground through peace initiatives across the sports, to bridging ethnic divides country, distributing grants for through agricultural cooperatives, peacebuilding projects and helping our local partners are finding local groups find innovative ways innovative and sustainable ways to create safer communities. to build resilient communities and create alternatives to violence. Peace looks different in different Nigeria contexts, and by supporting local peacebuilders around the world In Kano and Jos we support doing courageous and important work to bring divided groups work, we are helping build peace together through sports, and help one person at a time. young people find alternatives to violence through training and Together, the local knowledge and peace clubs. expertise of our partners on how to resolve the conflicts that affect their communities has a global impact. Here is a snapshot of the work we helped our partners to achieve in 2018.

DRC We support five local organisations in eastern Congo helping communities affected by war to become more resilient to violence, reintegrate child soldiers, and rebuild communities.

6 The Syria Pakistan Peace Committees in the Idlib Working with our partners we support Philippines region help resolve conflict between young people at risk of radicalisation, and Our partners bring divided communities non-violently, and provide increase women’s inclusion in political, communities back together in training on conflict resolution and social and peacebuilding processes in Mindanao, support those displaced negotiation to community members. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. by conflict, and help ex-combatants reintegrate into their communities.

Somalia We support work in Kismayo to help vulnerable young people build sustainable livelihoods, so that they have better alternatives than joining militias.

Burundi Zimbabwe Across the country, the network Using creative approaches like In Hurungwe and Murewa, we of citizen reporters we partner photography, we support work support our partners to build with report on and respond to in the north of Sri Lanka to community resilience and empower incidents of violence in their promote community dialogue communities to resist the use of communities to prevent them to heal the scars left by war. violence to resolve differences. escalating.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 7 Our strategy aims to deliver sharing with a dynamic network extremism and find non-violent more impact for conflict affected of partners and other civil society solutions. Our strategy communities, through the power actors. of local action. We will continue We will continue our to support the vital activities of We will focus on supporting commitment to being at the our local peacebuilding partners, people affected by armed forefront of learning and saving lives, providing paths violence in countries emerging reflection on what works in the Since we began, we have supported out of violence and building from conflict. For those at risk field of local peacebuilding, as local peacebuilding efforts in over better futures – stopping wars of radicalisation and extremism, well as what support the local 25 countries around the world, and building peace, one person we will ensure they are helped to peacebuilding sector needs providing vital assistance to ensure at a time. 50% of wars restart reintegrate into their communities from outsiders. We will ensure grassroots action to stop violent within ten years of a peace treaty and to contribute to reconciliation comprehensive evaluations for conflict can continue, and grow. being signed. Our ambitious and long-term peace. every programme and will take five-year strategy (2016–2020) the time to continuously reflect stems from our commitment and We will increase our advocacy and analyse existing practices passion to provide local people activities, continuing to be a and assumptions, as well as risking their lives on the front champion for local peacebuilders piloting new ideas and initiatives line of conflict with the resources globally. We will seek allies with our partners. they need to carry out their across different sectors to ensure work, and to amplify their voices increased support and a greater We will invest in fundraising to and their actions. participation in decision making, build strong relationships with policy and practice for local supporters, and to diversify and We will do this by supporting local peacebuilders. grow our income. Through our peacebuilding organisations and marketing and communications extending our portfolio of local We will support early warning activities, we will reinforce our partnerships. Our existing and new and rapid response activities, position among key audiences partners will be strengthened to so that localised violence is as a leader in locally led enable them to play a more central stopped before it escalates, and peacebuilding, and in mapping, role in peacebuilding efforts, and local organisations are better convening and supporting local we will encourage learning and able to tackle the root causes of peacebuilders.

8 Our strategy 2016–2020

Amplifying the voices of local peacebuilders

Early warning, early Tackling the root response and violence causes of violence monitoring

Primary goals

Strengthening our Supporting people in existing partners and countries emerging from expanding our reach conflict to rebuild their communities

Deepening our learning and building an evidence base

Fundraising and Systems, staffing communications Supporting and structure goals We will invest in We will invest in people, fundraising and training and learning communications to build to ensure staff are strong relationships with motivated, processes supporters and diversify are efficient and a and grow our income high quality of work is so we can achieve more maintained across the with our partners. organisation.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 9 Burundi Sounding the rwanda Kirundo

Muyinga alarm to prevent Cibitoke Ngozi violence Kayanza democratic Bubanza Karuzi republic Cankuzo of congo Muramvya The security situation remains BUJUMBURA Gitega Ruyigi fragile in Burundi, and the Bujumbura Rural Mwaro crackdown on the political opposition and civil society Bururi Rutana continued in 2018. Rumonge tanzania Makamba

Lake Tanganyika

According to Human Rights Watch, Burundi’s security services and members of the Imbonerakure, the ruling party’s youth league, carried out widespread human rights abuses throughout 2018, including summary executions, rapes, abductions, beatings, and intimidation of suspected political opponents.

Widespread food insecurity and the country’s geopolitical isolation make conditions rights abuses, detentions and activities to respond to violent extremely challenging and hate speech were reported by events or arbitrary detentions. dangerous for peacebuilders. the network across 18 provinces Of that number, 30 of the However, violence prevention Impact of the country, which were violent events have already been and peacebuilding continues in shared with the international resolved effectively, meaning communities across the country In 2018 130 citizen reporters community. This helped inform that individuals have been in spite of an increasingly were able to respond effectively the international community of released, rescued or allowed safe restrictive environment. to violence thanks to the the violence across the country passage. Through their reports, targeted training they received and the need to maintain an the network has also been able In 2018 we continued to support on reporting, monitoring ongoing focus on resolving to advocate to local authorities a network of ‘citizen reporters’ and response, giving local the conflict, as well as giving on several occasions, helping who report on and respond to peacebuilders the resources and local activists insight into secure the release of people incidents of violence and human support to respond to violence how to respond to violence detained and protecting those at rights abuses in their communities, before it took root. 2,632 in their communities. The risk of violence. to prevent violence escalating. incidents of violence, human citizen reporters carried out 90

10 In 2018 the estimated number of people who benefitted from the response activities conducted by the network was 794 2,632 incidents were reported by the network across 18 provinces of the country

A view from the ground in the prison in April 2018 by a Judicial Police Officer. He was “My name is Bukeyezena*, I arrested by the Imbonerakure am 52 years old and I work as because of his political affiliation the contact person for violence with the opposition party. monitoring in one of the Following my intervention, localities of Makamba. Thanks he was released the next day. to the training I received from I pleaded on his behalf by the network, I look forward explaining the irregularities of to my contribution to conflict his arrest. It is thanks to the resolution in my community. training and technical advice In the event of an incident, I from the network around how alert the authorities and other to adapt and respond to the high-level contacts that may be reality on the ground that I was able to have an influence over able to do this.” the outcome for the victim. A member of a village in Makamba *Name changed for security province was arrested and put reasons

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 11 caused by the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, local conflicts often DR Congo spiral out of control.

Seven ways In 2018, we continued to support local partners to rebuild trust, we’re building understanding and community life throughout areas affected peace in DRC by conflict. From supporting the reintegration of child soldiers, to setting up violence response The lead up to the December committees, together we supported elections in the Democratic families and community-led Republic of Congo was marred initiatives, and strengthened by violence and voter intimidation, livelihoods through agricultural in a country already devastated training. by two decades of conflict. We worked with our partners In eastern DRC, numerous armed Centre Résolution Conflits (CRC), groups and militias attacked Fondation Chirezi (FOCHI) and the civilians, killing and wounding many Beni Peace Forum (BPF) across members of the community who and destabilising an already fragile several locations in the conflict- are vulnerable to violence. Before situation. In 2018, 2.4 million affected regions of Ituri (01), North the project, villagers reported people were displaced from their Kivu (02) and South Kivu (03). fear and frustration with the homes, and over 130,000 refugees Here are seven ways we helped youth, however after the project, fled to neighbouring countries. With those affected by war to rebuild 01 75% of those interviewed had a lack of formal justice mechanisms, their communities and become Bridging ethnic divides only positive youth behaviour widespread poverty, and the more resilient to violence and to report. Through their work additional strain on communities instability during 2018. Our partners in DRC continued last year, 393 vulnerable young to mobilise and develop their men are now fully reintegrated communities, and this work has into their communities and take had a transformational effect of an active part in community bridging ethnic divides, creating development activities. central african republic stability and changing attitudes. In 2018, CRC brought together Through their collective 795 community members to economic activities including develop community self-help agricultural cooperatives and initiatives, including the creation revolving loan funds, FOCHI 01 of a pharmacy, radio debates, was successful in bringing

republic of community funds and training members of different tribes the congo uganda in livelihoods and agriculture. together to work towards gabon 02 The community organised shared goals. More unified

rwanda radio debates on topics such as communities also increased 03 leadership, peace and dispelling the capacity for community-led burundi false information. As well as conflict management. Through KINSHASA increasing income, security and collaborative work, positive stability for their communities, changes in attitude towards tanzania the initiatives have improved people from different ethnic attitudes towards younger groups or tribes were recorded, helping communities become more unified and stable. When asked about the changes to their lives and communities, 100% of angola zambia those interviewed reported that attitudes and relations between members of different tribes had improved since participating in the project.

12 02 Reintegrating child soldiers income, finding independence and contributing to their CRC identified and supported communities’ development, and the reintegration of another avoiding a return to conflict. 50 child soldiers in 2018. But removing them from this CRC continued their important environment is just the start of work to increase understanding the journey in ensuring long- on the issue of child soldiers, lasting peace. setting up a network of local civil society organisations working in Keeping children in education the field of child protection. The during or after conflict is a ‘civil society network for child life-saving priority, which CRC protection’ (RECOPE) brings is committed to, ensuring the together 66 influential figures young people could return to and local leaders and provides school or receive vocational training on children’s rights and training in hairdressing, livestock the importance of reintegration rearing or other trades. Many for creating safer communities. ex-combatants face difficulties In 2018, 2,207 people in finding work or generating participated in the network’s income independently, making training. By coordinating with this work all the more critical. other stakeholders including UNICEF and MONUSCO, CRC is Since their rescue, 45 becoming an important figure for members of the group have child protection in the region and so far gained employment or within communities. started to generate their own 03 Mining ‘Peace Gold’ and reintegration and set up two conflict resolution committees Gold mining in eastern Congo to resolve conflicts happening degrades the environment around the mines. After just one and compromises the health year of activity, eight violent of hundreds of thousands. incidents were dealt with Our award-winning Peace peacefully by the committees. Gold project, developed As a result of the training, 2,738 and implemented with CRC, trees have been planted and supports those affected by war eight sanitation facilities installed in DRC to produce ethical and at the mines. As well as engaging environmentally friendly gold. the community, the improved This year, 680 ex-combatants quality of water and sanitation and people affected by war facilities in a region affected by received training in environmental widespread poverty and disease protection and gold production, will likely have a wider impact non-violent conflict resolution, on improving the health of the and financial management. local population.

The mining cooperatives organised eight community sessions on conflict resolution

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 13 04 Establishing Peace Courts

Faced with a lack of access to the state justice system for local people, FOCHI continued to build on the success of their local ‘Peace Courts’ model. The 76 courts, including 38 mixed courts and 38 all-female courts, strengthen the ability of communities to resolve local-level conflicts over land, identity, and disputes between herders and farmers; providing an accessible and trusted mechanism for fair, free and non- violent conflict management. Instead of using punitive methods, the Peace Courts use reconciliation and mediation, which reduces recourses to violence by encouraging dialogue over punishment. In total, In 2018 the Super Court solved approximately 2,230 cases were two important conflicts over heard and resolved in the Peace succession of power and claims Courts in 2018. to land within local communities; clashes that had been ongoing During the year, FOCHI created for a number of years and 05 a ‘Super Peace Court’, increasing already caused community Rapid response to violence accurate information on the scale of their work and destruction and violence. In escalating tensions they are able bringing together influential resolving these cases, the Super In 2018, we continued our to pass it on to local decision- representatives from across civil Courts put an end to large-scale support to the BPF, a network makers and their communities. society, local communities, the disputes that could have further of 25 local organisations based police, local government and the escalated across a large region. in Beni, one of the places During the year, they also justice sector. Operating across Given the scale of these conflicts most affected by conflict in reported 477 instances of armed different communities, eleven and the number of villages in the eastern Congo. theft, ambush, attacks on villages mediators were trained to solve affected areas, FOCHI estimates or sexual violence, and shared disputes in the Super Court, that they have positively In Beni, suspicion and rumours 51 weekly reports on incidents of gaining skills in conflict analysis, impacted the lives of 21,000 around the movement of armed violence with local and national mediation and advocacy. people in South Kivu. groups and imminent attacks authorities and the UN, in order are widespread. This can lead to to be prepared and respond to panic and mistrust, and further violence effectively. violence or retaliation. BPF trained 30 people on reporting In 2018, BPF was increasingly incidents of violence and human asked for comment and to rights abuses and violations. participate in debates on the They went on to establish local security situation in Beni, protection committees in 2018, a real indicator that they forming an early warning system have established themselves across the region. By supporting as a crucial and respected communities to quickly collect peacebuilding actor in the region.

14 06 Growing an ecosystem of peacebuilders

We continued our support to the ‘Local Peacebuilding Support Offices’, which we established in order to strengthen the network of peacebuilding organisations in Eastern DRC, growing their capacity in conflict resolution and reintegration efforts; establishing more trusted, sustainable and resilient communities. With small teams in both North and South Kivu, the Support Office model is centred on collaboration and partnership, so that they can play a more active role in stabilisation and long-term peacebuilding 07 efforts across the region. Responding to Ebola radio broadcasts, educational In 2018, the Support Office commercials and awareness- collected information on In 2018 we supported CRC in an raising songs to reach all ages. 273 local organisations and emergency project to peacefully This work directly reached over the scope of their work. Based manage conflicts which arose as 1,000 people, and with more on this insight the Support a result of an outbreak of Ebola. than 400 radio shows broadcast, Office set up eight different Tensions mounted between local our partners estimate that the working groups across the communities wishing to maintain awareness and outreach activities region and provided training their traditions of paying respect reached thousands more. on topics including conflict to the dead or ill, and health care analysis, gender and DDR providers trying to contain the CRC observed an important (disarmament, demobilisation, spread of the disease. behaviour change towards the and reintegration). response teams since the project CRC identified 24 groups was implemented, especially Through creating an active including youth, women and among young people who had network of peacebuilding church associations in 12 villages previously been hostile but actors with common goals, and across North Kivu at high risk of now accompany them in their identifying opportunities to contamination, with high levels work. The frequency of violent collaborate and share knowledge of violence or beyond the reach incidents towards medical teams on important issues, the Support of health care. 1,310 community is now 15% lower since the Office is strengthening a growing members attended awareness- project began. This means they ecosystem of peacebuilders who raising sessions on improving can now move more freely to work together effectively to attitudes toward Ebola response carry out their life-saving work make their communities safer. teams active in the region, and in the region and access areas on dispelling beliefs around that were previously deemed too witchcraft being the source hostile and dangerous to access. of the disease. The sessions In addition, the level of mistrust enabled those who took part and suspicion associated with to increase awareness through Ebola has lowered thanks to their own networks, and CRC CRC’s work. actively spread the word through

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 15 Mali algeria Connecting a network of mauritania peacebuilders

For years, weak governance, competition over land and water, and influence of Islamist militants have caused persistent conflicts between herding and farming niger communities, and different ethnic Kayes Mopti groups. Distrust in difference in Ségou Mali has fuelled conflict, which has further exacerbated tensions, and BAMAKO burkina faso hundreds of lives were lost in 2018 guinea alone. We have been working with WANEP-Mali, whose work strengthens coordination between, and therefore the effectiveness The projects included conflict of, 60 grassroots civil society management training for women organisations across the country. and for herders and farmers, bringing local citizens from Impact different ethnic communities together for ‘reconciliation In 2018 we brought together assemblies’, local radio debates, representatives from over and a ‘women and girls for peace’ 20 peacebuilding organisations project. In 2018, 339 women across Mali for a series of and 279 men participated in practitioner-led workshops or activities supported through ‘Peace Exchanges’, to discuss small grants provided by the drivers of violent conflict, WANEP-Mali, and 3,648 people the strategies to avert tensions, 339 benefitted from these projects. and the opportunities and challenges in building peace. women and With access to the resources they need, grassroots actors In July we published a report, ‘Mali are finding innovative ways to on the Brink’, that presented the make their communities safer findings of that collaboration. The and empower their communities report shared local perspectives to participate in peace and on the drivers of violent conflict reconciliation processes. in Mali, and the local capacities Participants in the projects that exist to build peace. You can described how they would have explore the report on the Peace previously chosen to solve Direct website. 279 problems through violence, but men participated in since the peacebuilding activities We worked with WANEP-Mali convened by WANEP-Mali they to support 40 local organisations activities enabled by now understand the importance collaborating on a range of grants provided by of dialogue to solve conflict. peacebuilding projects across the WANEP-Mali country, including training 353 people in designing, managing and implementing their peacebuilding projects.

16 A view from the ground

“There has been a lot of change in the last year, the community dialogue session brought together all sections of the community including women leaders, youth, traditional and religious leaders… The changes achieved are very important because we are now strengthened in terms of conflict analysis and we are actually able to prevent conflict. The two parties at the centre of the conflict have contact with each other within the Kouro Barrage area.” - Balè Poudiougou, a project participant from a local peacebuilding organisation.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 17 and help young people find work. niger This directly impacted the lives chad Nigeria of 2,066 young people in just one year. Building brighter Kano futures benin

Nigeria is facing a complex conflict and humanitarian crisis, which has so far taken the lives of 20,000 ABUJA and displaced 2.6 million people in the north of the country.

Conflict in Nigeria escalated in 2018, with the Boko Haram insurgency continuing to recruit 255 cameroon members and carry out abductions, Gulf of Guinea suicide bombings, and attacks young people on civilians in the north east. received practical Political tensions heightened towards the end of the year, skills training, in “A lot of changes have taken place in my ahead of general elections, whilst trades ranging life. With the tailoring tools given to me I decades-long violence between from mechanics to herders and farmers in the can create my own employment without Middle Belt intensified. These tailoring. problems are compounded by a waiting for anyone. Many young ladies in high unemployment rate, making my community are now following in my many young people easy targets for recruitment into gangs and footsteps. This is making many people armed groups. PIN’s sports clubs have also less dependent on formal employment, brought together different ethnic and faith groups for talks on reducing conflict caused by joblessness peacebuilding, leadership skills and community cohesion, and in society.” have helped young people find Aisha, vocational training participant (pictured right) a way to address anger non- violently. As one participant said, take part in ‘Peace Rallies’, where “Through controlling our temper students marched around major we can control peace. This leads streets and strategic locations in to inner peace, and also outside. Kano and Jos to raise awareness In our home and our community.” among communities on the need Over the year, 190 young people for peaceful coexistence among participated in weekly training communities ahead of the 2019 and monthly tournaments. elections.

Meanwhile, 160 students and Five new inter-faith and multi- 10 teachers in five schools ethnic groups were formed in Impact attended monthly ‘Peace Clubs’ 2018 as a result of participation in Kano and Jos to discuss peace in the Peace Clubs and Peace In Kano and Jos, which have initiatives and the building of through Sports clubs, with the goal witnessed clashes between coalitions for peacebuilding and of bridging community divides. Christians and Muslims since violence prevention. The young 2001, we supported the Peace participants have gone on to Initiative Network (PIN) to promote peace to their peers facilitate community cohesion, and communities, and over the bridge ethno-religious divides year mobilised 500 students to

18 PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 19 20 turkmenistan china academy, reaching over 150 Pakistan young people. In addition, Aware Girls organised Standing up five dialogues in universities Peshawar and colleges in Swabi, bringing to violence, ISLAMABAD afghanistan students together to discuss standing for non-violence in academic institutions, reaching a further elections 435 young people.

Aware Girls had impressive In Pakistan, attacks in schools, results in changing young universities and polling stations people’s attitudes towards continued to disrupt education iran dealing with conflict. When and democracy. The 2018 Aware Girls spoke to participants parliamentary elections were india before and after the project, marred by violence: armed groups it was clear that the work had attempted to disrupt the elections, a real and positive influence and suicide attacks and strikes on their attitudes towards killed hundreds of people. Although arabian sea violence and perceptions of women and people from religious peacebuilding. minorities have had the right to vote since the foundation of the state, being able to vote is a different story, with intimidation still occurring across the country and people being prevented from voting.

In the conservative tribal province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we continued to work with Aware Girls, supporting young people at risk of radicalisation, and on increasing the inclusion of women in political, social and peacebuilding processes.

Impact

Aware Girls supported 28 people in their ‘Youth Peace Network’ (YPN) to provide training on peacebuilding and countering violence and violent ideologies in their communities. As a result of the training, the 28 members developed action plans for engaging the community in their peacebuilding work and went on to implement four study circles, two inter-faith dialogues, two peace education sessions in local schools in Swabi, and a music

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 21 The work we support in Pakistan participation in political and is opening doors to greater public life. During the year the understanding of the options Network engaged the Election for turning away from violent Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ideologies. advocate for accessible polling stations, female polling staff, In 2018, the ‘Young Women’s awareness around women’s Network for Good Governance’ voting rights, and increasing was set up by 23 Aware Girls their electoral participation. graduates to promote women’s

Before training After training

% of young people that believe women 41% play a role in building 78% peace in their communities

% of young people who said it is okay 72% to use violence as a 4% political tool

they agreed. I joined a political party and started using my % who support new skills in peer education the ideology of the A view from the ground and community mobilisation to 58% 7% reach out to other women. Taliban “My name is Faima*. I am 24 years old and I am a nursing On the day of the 2018 general student. I come from Sherpao election, I realised that women village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not going to polling province. As a young woman, stations. I had to do something % who believe Jihad I am passionate about my about this, so I booked four 73% should be part of the 7% community’s issues. I have seen vehicles and started going to curriculum too few women represented in every home to ask women to community decision-making and come out to vote with me. I development. However, I didn’t continued this for hours and have the confidence and skills to kept on taking women out to % who said they become active in the civic and vote. I didn’t count the exact would take up an political life of my community. number of women; however, opportunity to I must have mobilised and 45% 7% After I participated in training enabled hundreds of women sacrifice their life for with Aware Girls my confidence to go to the polls to vote on their religion grew. I gained new skills and Election Day.” decided to join a political party with the aim of working for the (Name changed and photos welfare of women. My parents representative to protect weren’t going to let me do this, Faima’s identity) however after much persuasion

22 In 2018, KI supported 200 women, including some ex- Philippines combatants, empowering them to take part in the official peace Sowing the process. They provided regular seeds of peace training on civic responsibility, women’s rights, and conflict resolution and actively supported After militants barricaded women’s participation in peace themselves into Marawi City on processes. As a result of their the Philippine island of Mindanao training, 81% of participants in 2017, the city experienced a interviewed say they now five-month siege. The city still lies understand the importance of in ruins, over 200,000 people being involved in peacebuilding remain displaced, and the pace of activities and now actively rebuilding communities is slow. participate in meetings. Project participants said the work had In 2018 we worked with allowed their communities to Kapamagogopa Incorporated address the root causes of (KI) to bring divided communities divisions, and to stop former back together, support those fighters returning to fight. displaced by conflict, and help ex-combatants reintegrate into This knowledge has translated their communities. into action, with KI helping female peacebuilders to conduct local peacebuilding initiatives in their communities by supporting the creation of their women-led civil society organisations. In 2018 four new women’s organisations were registered, and five peacebuilding community project proposals were submitted by the end of the year to local authorities and donors. Empowered female peacebuilders are spreading their knowledge of non-violent alternatives to conflict within their communities across Mindanao, and demonstrating how women can help stop the root causes of conflict through education, awareness and opportunities for themselves and their communities.

Impact

Operating so closely to where fighting disrupted the lives of thousands, KI’s work is vital in addressing the root causes of recruitment to violence, by supporting the communities where violence flared up in 2017 to resolve future tensions.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 23 24 A view from the ground

“My entire family became combatants - my parents and my brothers. I was 11 years old then. In 2005, I was one of the military trainees. I know how difficult it is for a combatant, it is always a matter of life and death. The activities that I attended with KI confirmed that other than war there are other ways to resolve conflict, that there is a peaceful way that would not result in killings and destruction of property. Today I would strongly say no if someone were to recruit me to become a fighter again.” – A former fighter in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. She is now a mother of three children, training other participants from Butig village.

china taiwan hong kong

South China Sea Phillipine Sea

MANILA

Sulu Sea Iligan

malaysia

brunei

indonesia

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 25 Somalia Creating a generation of peace promoters

Somalia, one of the poorest countries in the world, has been in a state of civil war and chronic insecurity since 1991. Decades of poverty, armed violence, and political instability have caused hundreds of thousands to flee, and young people who remain face severely limited economic across clan and ethnic lines, better understanding of the issues opportunities. further helping to promote social discussed than they had before. cohesion within communities. This year, ongoing drought and Impact Meanwhile, to support female famine led to mass displacement SADO conducted training enterprise, SADO trained 14 and emergency levels of food In 2018 we supported Social life in leadership, peacebuilding, women in the Hiddayo Women insecurity. US airstrikes in Somalia and Agricultural Development conflict analysis and political Fishing Cooperative in business have surged, and peacekeeping Organisation (SADO) to help advocacy to build the capacities management and gave them a forces have withdrawn, enabling vulnerable young people to build of the women and youth-led civil small grant of $3,450 to kick start Al-Shabaab to increase their sustainable livelihoods, so that society organisations, ensuring their business. This has provided control and step up attacks they have better alternatives a significant reach of their work them with a sustainable business in the capital, Mogadishu. than joining militias. They started and expertise. 40 participants plan that will enable them to However, despite the threats of a new youth livelihoods and committed to training their enter the fishing market and armed violence, climate change, peacebuilding programme to peers, and follow-up revealed generate a sustainable income. corruption and lack of justice, the empower young people and that 98% of trainees left with a election of a new president with women in Kismayo economically cross-clan support and a young, and politically, and to build reform-minded parliament present community resilience to violence. yemen a genuine opportunity for political Gulf of Aden and security reforms to combat 107 young people completed 620 djibouti Al-Shabaab and stabilise the hours of learning in vocational country. At this pivotal moment skills such as computer literacy locally-led peacebuilding is very and electronic repairing, and in somaliland important in securing a better basic business management. future for Somalia. Upon graduation each trainee received a grant of $500 to start their own business. In follow-up ethiopia interviews, trainees reported that the skills they acquired propelled them to secure employment, with a number of others now having established their own businesses thanks to their training and financial support. MOGADISHU Arabian sea Civic education training also taught 120 young people about kenya their rights and responsibilities as Kismayo citizens, and the benefits of peace

26 107 young people turned away from violence and took up vocational skills

“Peace starts from the grassroots, from the home and the community. If there is no peace in Kismayo, there is no peace in Jubaland, or in the entire Somalia. If there is no peace, there is no life.” Isse Abdullahi, SADO

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 27 In many communities that The photos are still deeply divided, the on the right Sri Lanka project brought people from were taken by Impact all communities together to participants Local discuss common themes, to build in the Through photography, young connections and understanding, photography peacebuilders women explored reconciliation and to ultimately stand together project. have the best and healing between different for peace in their country. ethnic and faith groups in Sri Through the project, young chance at Lanka. 42 young women from Tamil women from the northern, different communities and eastern and central provinces creating lasting backgrounds participated in came together to visit a Buddhist this project in 2018, and CPBR Sinhala community for the first peace conducted weekly workshops time. Overcoming differences, and field trips around the women came together from country. The work focuses on groups whose only previous Efforts to provide justice for victims convening communities from all interactions had been those of of conflict have stalled in Sri Lanka, different faiths to restore trust conflict, clashes, and prejudice, despite the government pledging and build the foundations of to do something they never to establish justice mechanisms long-term peace. would have thought possible from its three-decades-long civil - talk about the effects of war war ending in 2009. An increase of and build understanding and attacks against Muslims by Sinhala Jaffna tolerance with people they had Buddhist militants in 2018 raised previously opposed. fears of a new round of communal violence, and put religious minorities Kilinochchi at risk. A state of emergency was declared in March for ten days to Vavuniya rein in the spread of the violence and to ease social tensions. To heal Anuradhapura divisions and to create opportunities for reconciliation, addressing the root causes of mistrust, hostility and Polonnaruwa Batticoloa fear is crucial.

In 2018, we continued to support COLOMBO the Centre for Peacebuilding and Hatton Reconciliation (CPBR) to promote community dialogue and exchange, using photography as a tool.

the areas in the north most affected by conflict. But today, I am living, walking and taking photos in the middle of a A view from the ground village, and sleeping next to the temple. They [the Sinhalese “[As a Tamil woman] I never Buddhists] are also like us. We ever thought I could come to are all suffering, wounds are a part of the country where deep, but as women, we can be Sinhalese Buddhists live... If the bridge makers of the broken someone asked me to come communities. Cameras and our to this area six months ago, I photos can be the cement and would feel anger and fear. I bricks that build the bridge”. – am from Kilinochchi, one of Debora, Kilinochchi.

28 PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 29 egypt Sudan libya Stopping violence before it starts Red Sea

Since its independence in 1956, Sudan has experienced waves of chad intermittent civil war and unrest. North-south conflict cost the lives KHARTOUM eritrea of 1.5 million people, with South Sudan finally gaining independence in 2011. Yet conflict and instability are far from over. Southern provinces remain in conflict with one another and with the Sudanese government, causing 7.1 million ethiopia people in 2018 to be in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. south sudan Clashes over grazing land resources can feed into wider violent conflicts, which have resulted in large numbers of casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands Over the year of people over the years. In the Impact southern states of South Kordofan communities and Blue Nile, where violence often Over the year, five ‘rapid increasingly escalates between clans, tribes response’ interventions were and communities, we continued to implemented by the Peace requested the support the work of Collaborative Committees. These actions intervention of for Peace Sudan (CfPS) with local impacted an estimated 1,455 Peace Committees Peace Committees, which respond people by de-escalating conflict quickly to local disputes and between herders and farmers in disputes, with outbreaks of violence, helping to and curbing the spread of hate full support from resolve them in the early stages. speech against South Sudanese refugees in South Kordofan. community leaders.

Peace Committees in three villages were reactivated, expanding the reach of the network across the regions. Through peer training, all members learned skills in conflict prevention and conflict resolution, communication, and early response systems for monitoring violence.

Requests for the committees’ mediation in conflicts between communities demonstrates an appetite to build peace.

30 accusation, to retaliate. Upon hearing the news, the Lagawah Peace Committee, Case study: facilitated by CfPS, organised a meeting with the tribes In March 2018, a conflict planning to launch the attack broke out between the Tulushi in order to de-escalate the Nuba and Diri and Eeyainat situation. During the meeting clans of the Misseriya tribe, and subsequent investigation due to the theft of cattle. by the Peace Committee, it The situation was particularly was found that the accused volatile given the history of clans had nothing to do with conflict between the clans, the cattle looting, the stolen which the previous year led to cattle only crossed through four people being killed in a their village. similar conflict. A police report was filed The Tulushi villagers tracked and the perpetrators were down the footprints of the identified and arrested. perpetrators, and fuelled by The Peace Committee then their mistrust and animosity facilitated a public meeting towards the clan, they between the two tribes, and confronted the supposed a recommendation was made perpetrators without evidence, requiring all to thoroughly causing the Diri and Eeyainat investigate before making clans, who felt belittled by the accusations in any event of theft, looting or vandalism.

By establishing mechanisms for preventing violence from escalating and helping to build trust between rival tribes, the Peace Committees’ work in 2018 stopped violence at its roots and helped to build sustainable peace in Sudan.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 31 Syria turkey Hope amid despair: The Idlib heroes of Syria’s civil society Mediterranean sea

The Syrian conflict has claimed the lebanon lives of more than 500,000 people and displaced half of the country’s DAMASCUS iraq population, according to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. israel After seven years of fighting, the country is still far from reaching a west peace agreement. bank jordan

Fighting continued throughout 2018, and indiscriminate airstrikes, chemical attacks, mass detention and torture by government forces have resulted in a high toll of civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Meanwhile ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria continued to perpetrate abuses, ranging from executions and kidnappings to interference in aid delivery.

Civilians have paid the devastatingly high price for the Syrian conflict. Yet the commitment and bravery of civil society organisations working on the ground to counter violence and promote peace is remarkable. Our work and research in 2018 highlighted and supported the efforts of civilian peacebuilders.

The three committees worked committee have strengthened together and collaborated a network of civil society in with volunteer Sheikhs, with northern Syria. Impact 36 community members from across the regions joining the Through their work, community In 2018 we supported Zoom In committees and receiving members now actively reach out in Syria to establish three Peace training in advocacy, conflict to the committees when urgent Committees in the municipalities resolution and negotiation. issues arise, and by coordinating of Idlib, Maara al-Nu’man and Almost half of the members are across the regions they are able Jabal al-Sumaq, to help resolve themselves part of other civil to react quickly. disputes within and between society organisations, and the communities non-violently. connections forged through the

32 Case study: In May 2018, the three Peace Committees collaborated to successfully resolve an issue of a killing in the town of Marshurin, which due to the existence of long-standing tensions in the area could easily have escalated into a wider-scale conflict. After the issue was dealt with, the committees continued their work in this town to heal divides and ensure there are fewer incidents of violence in the future.

Raising the voices of Syrian people building peace: Our ‘Idlib Lives’ report

In collaboration with The Syria Campaign and partners across north-west Syria, we created an interactive report, Idlib Lives, sharing examples of how even in the most brutal of conflicts, people are building peace. The online report was read by 2,273 people and profiled in The Guardian newspaper. You can explore it at: www.idliblives.org/

3 new Peace Committees established in northern Syria

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 33 Zimbabwe

Dialogue for Impact development In 2018 we worked with Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust to Since its independence in 1980, build community resilience and Zimbabwe has experienced low empower communities to resist intensity conflict marked by periods the use of violence to resolve of escalation and political violence. differences. They launched a Conflict today remains rooted new project to promote peace in disputes over national power, around the elections, by helping economic hardship and pre- traditional leaders to prevent colonial disputes which have not violence and encourage their been resolved. community members to vote peacefully, free from fear and 2018 was an eventful year in intimidation. Zimbabwe, and the general elections in July marked the 90 traditional leaders first since the 2017 departure participated in a workshop, of President Mugabe. Following which covered topics such as the announcement of the result, leadership, women’s rights, violent demonstrations in Harare gender and violence prevention saw seven people killed. Sustained during election periods. Focus political tension was exacerbated group discussions showed by the opposition party’s challenge that traditional leaders were to the election result. encouraging their people to vote peacefully and not to perpetrate the elections in Hurungwe, yet “As leaders we have violence. Most notably, there surrounding neighbourhoods were no reports of violence where Envision is not working choices to make and and intimidation tactics during reported significant levels of I made my choice violence and intimidation. not to force people

zambia to go and vote under my watch so I can Hurungwe pass information to the politicians. We

namibia HARARE are the custodians Murewa of our land and should be able to tell politicians what to do and not them tell us what to do in

botswana our own land.”

mozambique

34 A view from the ground

“I am a village head, and I had experience in intimidating people during previous elections in support of certain political parties. We used to be asked to gather our people during voting and record names of those who voted, and then vote together with people from your village. However this time I did not gather my village to vote at the same time and record their names. I chose not to push people around. As leaders we have choices to make and I made my choice not to force people to go and vote under my watch so I can pass information to the politicians. We have to take back our power from politicians and not allow them to use us. We are the custodians of our land and should be able to tell politicians what to do and not them tell us what to do in our own land.” – Workshop participant

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 35 Local voices on a global level

Through research and advocacy with our partners, as well as greater engagement with the media, Peace Direct is helping change the policies and practice of the international community to be more supportive of local peacebuilders.

on peace and conflict. As a in resolving, conflict and how to result of online consultations empower them as peacebuilders. on our Peace Insight platform, and in-country practitioner-led In addition, we published three exchanges, our reports shared research reports on financial the perspectives of those sustainability for civil society, and working at the local level to two reports on sustainable aid understand the drivers of conflict transitions, part of the USAID and to strengthen prospects ‘Local Works’ initiative. These for peace, in Mali and north-west reports were distributed to over Syria, and on the topic of atrocity 2,000 practitioners, policymakers prevention. The reports were and supporters of our work. distributed among policy makers, researchers and practitioners In 2018 we also produced in the US and Europe, and were three learning summaries of our used for in-country advocacy and work with partners in eastern influencing in Mali. DR Congo and Somalia; four- page digests that provide an 01 In addition, the growing profile overview of the key challenges, and recognition of the ‘Local successes and impact of our Our research: Local Voices for Peace’ series enabled work, and what we learned with peacebuilding resources us to convene peacebuilder visits our partners during a particular to the US around the topics project. These are shared with In 2018, we published nine and context addressed in the the sector to encourage an research reports, sharing key publications, and to ensure that appetite for open discussion findings and perspectives of the insights and local perspectives of failure, as well as providing local peacebuilders on important generated in the reports inform recommendations to the sector, policy issues. These reports important decision-making in practitioners and donors doing were distributed to hundreds of Burundi and CAR. similar work. decision-makers at the UN and in the US, UK and EU, and other With the Life and Peace Institute All of our reports and learning donor governments. and the Somali Women Solidarity summaries are available to read Organization, we conducted in full at www.peacedirect.org/ Our ‘Local Voices for Peace’ ground-breaking research into publications series saw another successful women and conflict in Somalia. year in 2018, with three reports The resulting report shed light published during the year to on the important roles played by present grassroots perspectives women in sustaining, but also

36 Kessy Ekomo-Soignet, a peacebuilder from CAR, addresses the UN Security Council in New York on the topic of youth and peacebuilding.

03

Local Works

Among the most prevalent barriers for civil society 02 peacebuilding organisations is ensuring they have the resources and influence to be A global network from local peacebuilding experts sustainable and resilient. A lack of local experts on incidents of violence in of resources, empowerment and their region, and examples funds can make it impossible Through Peace Insight of peacebuilding work from for peacebuilders to travel (www.peaceinsight.org), our Colombia to Kashmir. to communities affected by flagship mapping platform, violence and ensure sustainable we have mapped over 1,700 Peace Insight brings greater impact. As part of the ‘Local peacebuilding initiatives and local attention to the invaluable Works’ initiative from USAID, organisations around the world work of local peacebuilders we researched how civil society since 2007, highlighting the in- around the globe. The insight and organisations can increase their depth knowledge of over forty knowledge they can offer to other autonomy and sustainability, and conflicts and the organisations peacebuilders, decision makers how the policies and funding working on the ground to resolve and the international community of the international community them. In 2018 alone, the site on the conflicts affecting their can better support local attracted 377,915 visits and communities firsthand, and peacebuilders. 623,658 online views. the peacebuilding strategies that really work. In 2018 our ‘Stopping As Success’ (SAS), our In 2018, recognising that conflict expert in Lebanon profiled a collaborative learning project is increasingly prevalent in the local peacebuilding organisation with CDA Learning and Search Global North, we launched in Turkey working with Syrian for Common Ground, looks peace mapping of the US, refugees in an article on Peace into responsible INGO exits and have already added over Insight. The recommendations and transitions. In 2018 we 150 groups working on peace provided in the article were then looked at case studies in nine across the country, so that used for vital fundraising efforts locations to study different types we are the first to notice and informed advocacy efforts of transitions and partnerships, patterns and trends. We also in the US, generating funds and launched a dedicated website - launched ‘Peace Dispatch’, a visibility for the local organisation. www.stoppingassuccess.org - and new resource providing analysis published two research reports on aid exits and transitions.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 37 The ‘Facilitating Financial 04 of citizen reporters are one of inputs at a key moment for Sustainability’ (FFS) project, in their only reliable sources of decision-making on Burundi collaboration with LINC Local Engaging policy makers ongoing information available and CAR. and Foundation Center, explores from Burundi. how funders, policy makers and In 2018 we brought local • We worked with peer civil society can increase local peacebuilding organisations • A meeting we convened organisations to educate financial sustainability. In 2018 from Burundi, CAR, Colombia, between representatives from Congress on preventing violent we launched an ‘Action Learning Somalia, Nepal, India, South our Somali peacebuilding conflict and supporting locally- Group’ (ALG) in DR Congo, and Sudan, Syria and the US to New partner and the US led peacebuilding, including co-launched one in Uganda. York and Washington, D.C., to Department of State resulted supporting the passage of The ALGs bring together local speak directly with decision- in our partners connecting the Elie Weisel Genocide peacebuilding organisations, local makers at the UN and in US directly with a US government and Atrocities Prevention government, local businesses government. We facilitated more human rights officer being Act and introduction of the and representatives from than a dozen high-level meetings deployed to Mogadishu, and Global Fragility and Violence international donors to identify with government and multilateral staff in the US Embassy. The Reduction Act. In November, key challenges for civil society leaders, as well as roundtable report we co-produced on Senior US Representative sustainability, and to provide discussions and speaking events. women’s roles in conflict and Bridget Moix also testified insights into how funders, policy We supported follow up to help peacebuilding was distributed before Congress in a hearing makers and civil society can nurture ongoing relationships amongst the staff. on atrocity prevention, increase financial sustainability. and information-sharing to advocating greater support to influence policy change at • During a roundtable discussion local peacebuilders and the The research has informed our national and international levels, focused on atrocity prevention, many roles they play in helping programmatic work, enabling us and to ensure local peacebuilders local peacebuilders had to avert large scale violence. to explore alternative funding have their voices heard among the opportunity to share models that give local actors key stakeholders. their perspectives and • In 2018 we established our more autonomy and agency, recommendations directly first dedicated advocacy role and build cohesion between Here is some of what we have with 57 key US government in the UK. This is allowing us to civil society organisations. We heard about the impact of our decision makers, funders, and develop important relationships presented our research to other advocacy efforts: other NGOs. The discussion and networks in the UK to peacebuilding organisations, and with government decision ensure local perspectives are raised the profile of responsible • On a trip to Washington, D.C., makers resulted in the White heard and the expertise of locally-led development at our partner from Burundi met House releasing a statement people living in conflict zones conferences in Washington, D.C. with representatives from informed by our partner on can help inform policy-makers. and New York City. the US Department of State, Burundi just after the visit, and who emphasised the reports the insights provided by local from the Burundian network peacebuilders provided specific

38 05

Our outreach: Making local listeners around the world. He • We raised the profile of voices heard spoke on the current situation peacebuilding among new in Mali, on the importance of audiences in 2018, with first In 2018 we gained strategic local peacebuilders, and on the time features in more diverse international media coverage findings from our report. media outlets. Steph Korey, in a number of online and print CEO of our partner Away, publications, and on national and • We secured two appearances was featured in a Q & A on international radio shows. Our on Voice of Islam Radio. For Causeartist, a social impact 2018 media highlights include: International Day of Neutrality, lifestyle magazine, on the our US Senior Representative partnership between Away and • We secured a piece in the and Head of Advocacy, Bridget Peace Direct, and its mission Guardian and the Observer Moix, discussed the importance to make “peacebuilding” a newspapers on the women of inclusive peacebuilding, term that people care about. of Idlib, Syria, focusing on and our Head of International Causeartist also ran an OpEd the ‘Idlib Lives’ report that Programmes, Charlotte Melly, from our CEO around our we developed with The Syria was interviewed on our work to approach to peacebuilding Campaign. It was shared online support local peacebuilders in and how to support local and in print. September. efforts for ‘Giving Tuesday’, an international day of charitable • Following the launch of our • In December our CEO was giving in December. report on peacebuilding in interviewed by Nigerian Mali, ‘Mali on the Brink’, we newspaper This Day Live, on secured an interview with our the need to promote peace CEO Dylan Mathews on Radio ahead of the 2019 general France Internationale, which elections in Nigeria. estimates at having 30 million

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 39 Our peacebuilding partners from Sri Lanka and Nigeria share their experiences at our Peace Exchange in Lebanon.

06

Lebanon Peace Exchange “When I came here I knew “I feel inspired by In July, members of the Peace Peace Direct but now we you all. Thank you Direct team gathered together with representatives from are a family of many. Peace for your passion many of our local peacebuilding Direct are good people, you and experience. partners at a Peace Exchange held in Beirut, Lebanon. really care. We are not even It has inspired

This was a wonderful opportunity a partner, we are one family, me to continue.” for peacebuilders working in which is so different to other Mark Boot, Kapamagogopa different locations and conditions Incorporated, around the world to share their organisations.” the Philippines experiences and expertise. It was Isse Abdullahi, Social Life and Agricultural a time for reflection, but also Development Organisation, Somalia for thinking to what lies ahead for us all and where we need to strengthen our approaches. It was also a time for learning, and we encouraged partners to share honest feedback about our relationships and where we can improve.

40 08

07 Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders awards

War Stories, Peace Stories PeaceCon 2018, one of the Symposium largest conferences for the peacebuilding community, In April, we partnered with attracted over 500 peacebuilding Spectrum Media and the War practitioners, policymakers, and Stories Peace Stories team to academics from around the facilitate a major symposium world. It was also the venue on the role of the media in for the awards ceremony for covering conflict and peace. ‘Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders’ Local peacebuilders from CAR, awards, which provides Pakistan and Sudan had a international recognition platform from which to tell their for organisations trying new stories of tackling violent conflict or different approaches to and building peace and resilience peacebuilding. Representatives in their communities. from the nine shortlisted finalists - from 300 applications - shared The 2018 winners: Youth-led Peacebuilding | The event demonstrated that their stories with the conference Young-adult Empowerment local reporters can report and received a standing ovation Women-led Peacebuilding Initiative (YEI), South Sudan/ internationally on local conflicts for their remarkable work. For | Proceso de Comunidades Uganda and related issues. It attracted a many of them, this was the first Negras (PCN), Colombia large number of reporters among widespread recognition they YEI works with South the audience of 350 people, who have received. They also visited PCN supports Afro-Colombian Sudanese refugees and their are now much better-placed to the UN and met with decision- women and girls, strengthening host communities in Uganda, report on local conflicts, and makers there during the trip. The their participation in community empowering young people it proved successful in helping three final winners received a life and in peacebuilding, to - through training, sport and Peace Direct to strengthen its $10,000 cash prize to support among other things - reduce community dialogues, bringing links with the media. their work. violence and human rights together people from diverse violations. backgrounds and providing an opportunity to build lasting relationships through shared activities.

Non-violent Action | Movilizatorio, Colombia

Movilizatorio enables citizens to participate in Colombia’s peace process, one example of which is through an online community with over 68,000 members working to launch mass mobilisation campaigns for peace and social change.

Saba Ismail, of Peace Direct partner organisation Aware Girls, speaks at War Stories, Peace Stories in New York.

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 41 Finances

Donated services <1% Corporate income 9%

Grants from Trusts and Foundations 25%

Our income was £3,968,901, an increase of £873,594 (28%) Contract from 2017. This was due to income growth in institutional grants 21% and increased corporate income. We are delighted that donors, Income individuals and institutions 2018 continued to support us in 2018. While financial conditions remain £3,968,901 tough for small charities, we are proud to have a strong funding $5,211,802 base for our work, testament to the power of local peacebuilders Individual to transform communities from donations 10% the inside out. The charts on this page give an overview of the main sources of our income and how money was spent.

Insitutional income 34%

Income £ $ % Grants from Trusts and Foundations £1,008,487 $1,324,305 25% Individual donations £401,049 $526,642 10% Institutional income £1,357,927 $1,783,175 34% Contract income £836,075 $1,097,900 21% Corporate income £362,363 $475,841 9% Donated services £3,000 $3,939 <1% TOTAL £3,968,901 $5,211,802 100%

July 2019 exchange rate: 1.31316

42 Cost of raising funds 10%

Governance Supporting 1% communities affected by conflict 27%

Research 18% Expenditure 2018 £3,437,701 $4,514,251

Advocacy Early response and 3% community-level conflict resolution 8%

Providing alternatives to violence and division and Supporting local tackling root causes peacebuilders 9% 24%

Expenditure £ $ % Supporting communities affected by conflict £935,371 $1,228,292 27% Early response and community-level conflict £284,004 $372,943 8% resolution Providing alternatives to violence and division £300,865 $395,084 9% and tackling root causes Supporting local peacebuilders £830,682 $1,090,818 24% Advocacy £114,520 $150,383 3% Research £623,784 $819,128 18% Governance £13,801 $18,123 1% Cost of raising funds £334,674 $439,481 10% TOTAL £3,437,701 $4,514,252 100%

PEACE DIRECT – IMPACT REPORT 2018 43 We are also grateful to the We extend our gratitude to Rob trusts, foundations and other Pope, whose record-breaking Acknowledgment bodies that have sustained our marathon running activities work, including the People’s across the US and in the UK and thanks Postcode Lottery, the Big have inspired support and raised Lottery Fund, Blandford Lake over £42,000 to date for Peace Trust, Allan & Nesta Ferguson Direct and conservation charity Charitable Trust, the Network for WWF. To all the people who Social Change, Commonwealth use their talents and enthusiasm Foundation, Folke Bernadotte to raise funds and spread our Academy, GHR Foundation, message, we thank you. Humanity United, Ploughshares Fund, Fresh Leaf Foundation, Last but not least, we would Robert Bosch Stiftung, and the like to thank the staff and The work we achieved in United States Institute of Peace, Board of Peace Direct, in the 2018 would not have and many other trusts and UK and in the US, who have been possible without the foundations. We are grateful for dedicated significant time and commitment and support of a their support. effort to making sure that the wide range of donors, partners organisation has long-lasting and supporters who believe We would like to thank our and positive impact for those in our mission to build a world corporate partner, Away, who not living in war zones. free from violent conflict. only provided us with unrestricted funding to help us grow but We continue to seek new As always, we owe a debt of also have committed to helping members of our family – gratitude to our peacebuilding promote and market Peace Direct, supporters, donors and allies. partners, who are working on and to build capacity among Please get in touch if you would the frontlines of conflict, at great our team. We look forward to like to help us stop wars, one personal risk, to stop violence continuing to work with them in person at a time. and build peace. We continue 2019 and beyond. to be inspired by their bravery and are honoured to be working We are grateful to the hundreds with them. of individual who continue to support Peace Direct with We are grateful for the unrestricted gifts. As well as continued financial support of strengthening our capacity, their the Foreign and Commonwealth generosity is so important to Office, the European Union and us in order to help us respond the Ministries of Foreign Affairs quickly and flexibly to the needs in Belgium, Canada and Germany of our local partners. We also for our work in Sudan, Burundi, keep in our thoughts those who Mali, Somalia and DR Congo, as remembered our work with a gift well as to our peace mapping in their will. work. USAID has also continued to support two research projects through their ‘Local Works’ initiative.

Photo credits: Greg Funnell: cover, P8, P20, P23, P24, P25, P46. Foreign policy: P10. Freedom House: P32, Dania Ali: P21, Daniel Berehulak: P22. Amisom: P26. IB Times: P11. Matthew K Firpo: P28. Unamid, Olive Chassot: P31

44

About Peace Direct

Peace Direct works with local people to stop violence and build sustainable peace. We believe that local people should lead all peacebuilding efforts, and this report highlights the impact of our local peacebuilding efforts in 2018. People around the world are taking action every day to build better futures in their communities and to create peace, starting from the grassroots. Our Impact Report 2018 shares their stories.

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