People's Peacemaking Perspectives

National and international efforts to prevent and resolve violent conflict and support post-conflict recovery are often poorly informed by the views and experiences of people directly affected by conflict and instability.

Local understanding of the causes and dynamics of a conflict, of what response is both necessary and possible, and the contribution of local actors to peacebuilding, are rarely captured and made accessible to policy makers. Local actors often lack the skills, confidence and access to engage with complex international organisations, while these organisations may lack contact with and awareness of the issues affecting the very communities their interventions aim to help.

Funded by the European Commission, the People’s Peacemaking Perspectives (PPP) project is an 18-month joint initiative between Conciliation Resources and Saferworld, which will provide opportunities for civil society involvement in the European Union’s planning processes for conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives.

The project will produce 18 analyses of conflict situations from around the world, including some country-specific and regional studies. In so doing the PPP will provide the EU with relevant and evidence-based analysis from the perspective of the communities affected by those conflicts. Working with partner organisations in country, the project will also help build the capacity of local civil society to contribute to decisions and actions affecting them beyond the lifetime of the project.

Recommendations for EU policy and programmes in each of the conflict areas will be drawn from the analyses and the findings will be presented to policy-makers in the relevant countries and in Brussels, including by representatives from local communities. These reports aim to provide the EU with relevant and evidence-based analysis from the perspective of the communities affected by conflicts in Central and East Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caucasus and the Middle East.

For further information contact: Ben Stevenson