Conflict-sensitive development
Sometimes, well-meaning development programmes can have a negative impact on people's security because they are not based on a good understanding of local conditions.
For example, in Africa, some water provision projects have deepened conflicts between local communities over access to water and thus failed to build prosperity.
The conflict-sensitive approach
Well-designed projects which are sensitive to the local context can have a positive impact on armed violence, address the causes of conflict and contribute to peace.
We believe that sensitivity to conflict needs to be integrated into all development, humanitarian assistance and peace-building projects, from national strategies to local projects.
What we do
We give technical and practical advice to development agencies, governments, donor organisations and civil society to make their work conflict-sensitive and increase the chances of peace and security.
We have developed a variety of resources to do this. Find out about our conflict-sensitive development tools.
Read a case study about conflict-sensitive development in Uganda
Read our latest report which documents how two water projects in Uganda became more conflict-sensitive and, as a result, brought many additional benefits to the recipient communities.
Reports and briefings:
Water provision as a peacebuilding tool, June 2008
Conflict-sensitive development: an explanation, May 2008
The experience of the Northern Ugandan shea nut project, June 2007
Aid and conflict in Uganda, March 2007
Evaluation report of the conflict and peace impact of the Northern Uganda Shea Nut Project in Otuke Country of Lira District, December 2006
Update of conflict and peace analysis for the Northern Uganda Shea Nut Project in Otuke county of Lira district, August 2006
Preventing conflict: promoting security for the poor and increasing aid effectiveness, July 2006
Prioritising safety, security and conflict prevention in Kenya, July 2006
Find out more
Read more about our work on conflict-sensitive development in the Africa, Asia and Europe pages.
Read more about conflict-sensitive development on conflictsensitivity.org
News
- Small arms and human security in Kosovo
- A report on public attitudes to small arms is launched at a conference on small arms and human security in Pristina.
- Supporting security in Bangladesh
- Saferworld works with the police and local communities in Bangladesh to improve safety and security.
- Saferworld annual review
- In November Saferworld published its annual review
- Actvities October 2008
- Download Saferworld's activity report for October.
- UN First Committee vote on the Arms Trade Treaty
- The UN General Assembly's First Committee on Disarmament and International Security votes to work towards an Arms Trade Treaty