The world is at a pivotal moment in global peace and conflict dynamics. The past decade has seen a continuous deterioration in peacefulness, culminating in a peak of armed violence not witnessed since the Second World War. Over 100 active conflicts span the globe, with devastating consequences in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, the Sahel, Haiti, and Colombia, not to mention those territories afflicted by widespread criminal violence that can equal the death toll of more traditional conflicts. These crises are symptomatic of a broader trend: conflicts[1]International Committee of the Red Cross. "ICRC in 2024: Upholding Humanity in Conflict." International Committee of the Red Cross, February 5, 2024. are becoming more protracted, decentralised, and multifaceted, often driven by state fragility, non-state armed actors, and transnational dynamics.

Simultaneously, the humanitarian fallout has reached record-breaking levels. With over 120 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide[2]UNHCR UK. “Five Key Takeaways from UNHCR’s 2024 Mid-Year Trends Report.” UNHCR UK, October 2024. , the compounded effects of violence, climate change, and governance failures are clearly visible. Climate-induced disasters exacerbate these conditions, deepening food insecurity, displacement, and competition for dwindling resources. At the same time, a breakdown in multilateral cooperation and an erosion of international norms have undermined the global community's capacity to respond. The UN Security Council remains paralysed, and the rise of authoritarianism has sharply contracted civic space and suppressed democratic governance. In this challenging environment, traditional peacebuilding paradigms are struggling to remain relevant.

However, it is precisely in this volatile and fragmented context that Interpeace’s mission is more critical than ever. Founded thirty years ago during the tumultuous post-Cold War period, Interpeace emerged as a response to the limitations of externally imposed peacebuilding models. Then known as the War-torn Societies Project, it recognised early on that peace must be built from within societies, not imposed from outside. Today, Interpeace’s work is guided by that foundational belief. With a mandate centred on local ownership, inclusive processes, and durable transformation, Interpeace has positioned itself as a key actor in addressing contemporary peace and conflict dynamics.

The organisation’s relevance is underscored by a set of global trends that are fundamentally reshaping peacebuilding. First, the dramatic rise in armed conflict is paralleled by a concerning decline in international development assistance. Military expenditures are increasing, often at the expense of funding for human security and peace initiatives. This zero-sum framing—development or defence—is a false and dangerous dichotomy that tends to overlook the root causes of instability. Prioritising military spending at the expense of human security not only undermines long-term peace efforts but also weakens societies’ ability to prevent conflict in the first place. Interpeace challenges this paradigm by advocating for an integrated approach that treats inclusive governance, social cohesion, and economic opportunity as essential components of public safety.

Secondly, the crisis of the multilateral system has undermined the legitimacy of global peace and security institutions. Diplomacy is increasingly overshadowed by force or transaction-based logics, and decision-making is at a stalemate. The system suffers from a trust deficit, which no resolution or rhetoric can repair on its own. Interpeace responds by grounding its work in local legitimacy, practical cooperation, and long-standing partnerships. It demonstrates how trust can be restored through consistent, inclusive engagement from grassroots to decision-making levels, contributing to a more resilient peace infrastructure from the ground up. A concrete example of this approach is the CSO–UN Dialogue Initiative on Peacebuilding, co-chaired by Interpeace and the UN DPPA/PBSO in 2024. The initiative fostered more complementary and integrated peacebuilding efforts by convening UN agencies and civil society actors to amplify voices often excluded from traditional multilateral frameworks. The initiative informed global processes such as the UN Pact for the Future and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR). Interpeace used this platform to help institutionalise civil society engagement with the UN and build a robust community of practice across peacebuilding actors.

Third, fundamental rights are under siege in many parts of the world. Authoritarian and isolationist trends are silencing dissent and reducing freedoms. In this context, Interpeace’s support for civil society and inclusive governance is more vital than ever. By fostering and implementing mechanisms to safeguard civic and political space, Interpeace’s programmes help preserve the conditions under which peaceful dialogue and democratic decision-making can be protected.

Interpeace views inclusive governance not only as a matter of representation, but as a process that must yield more responsive outcomes. In Mali, for instance, 85% of participants in Interpeace’s 2024 peacebuilding activities reported feeling more included in decision-making, while 65% noted that their needs, priorities, and grievances were better addressed by community structures. This reflects a recurring challenge: inclusive processes are necessary but not sufficient. Trust erodes when inclusion is merely performative. It is therefore imperative not only to foster participation and include new voices but also to ensure that inclusion translates into tangible change.

At the institutional level, peace must be embedded in state structures to be sustainable. In Somalia, Interpeace established formal partnerships with the Ministry of Interior in Somaliland and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Internal Reconciliation in Somalia, which resulted in developing and implementing the National Peace Policy (NPP) and National Reconciliation Framework (NRF). Strategic partnerships were also expanded between Interpeace local partners, the Puntland Ministry of Interior, and the Puntland Electoral Commission, focusing on governance and electoral support to enhance local governance and citizen engagement.

The fourth challenge is the role of new technologies in disinformation, which undermines the very fabric of societal trust and understanding. The viral spread of harmful, misleading content fuels polarisation, delegitimises institutions, and destabilises fragile societies. In response, Interpeace promotes evidence-based dialogue and transparent information-sharing. Its peacebuilding methods rely on verified knowledge and collective truth-seeking, providing a counterweight to narratives that sow division. In 2024, this commitment was reflected in a significant investment in robust measurement tools and innovative methodologies, integrated into purpose-built programme designs. Interpeace’s country programmes conducted large-scale, mixed-methods data collection efforts to inform their interventions and strengthen their credibility among communities and partners. These included studies on the impact of the security crisis on mental health, social cohesion, and livelihoods in Burkina Faso; public perceptions of the National Youth Policy framework and a comprehensive conflict mapping in Guinea-Bissau; and an in-depth exploration of intergenerational legacies and trauma transmission among post-genocide youth in Rwanda.

Climate change, the fifth key trend, magnifies existing vulnerabilities. Fragile states are not only home to many of the world’s poorest and most conflict-affected populations but also sit on the frontline of climate-related threats. Interpeace argues for preventive action and integrated peace–climate responses. Peace is not built by peacebuilders alone; therefore, they must collaborate with humanitarian, environmental, and development actors to strengthen local resilience and mitigate climate-driven conflict triggers.

In line with this perspective, Interpeace actively promotes Peace Responsiveness, an approach that goes beyond conflict sensitivity by engaging NGOs, multilateral organisations, and supranational bodies to ensure that initiatives across all sectors not only avoid exacerbating tensions but also actively contribute to peace outcomes within their respective mandates. In 2024, this vision translated into strategic contributions to the climate–peace agenda from a climate resilience perspective. In 2024, Interpeace contributed to the “Peace@COP29” policy paper and partnered with the Malian Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, CGIAR, and other organisations to publish a joint report on climate, peace, and security. At the country level, Interpeace also contributed to the Malian national climate security strategy, thanks to its collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation.

Sixth, rising socio-economic inequality is both a driver and a consequence of conflict. Disparities in income, services, and opportunity—often along ethnic, gender, or geographic lines—are deepening across societies. These inequities fuel grievances, erode social cohesion, and create fertile ground for violence. In response, Interpeace supports holistic strategies that integrate peacebuilding with livelihood development. By enhancing and diversifying economic opportunities, fostering cooperation-based activity, strengthening local problem-solving, and expanding access to social protection, Interpeace addresses both the symptoms and structural causes of inequality. Its interventions are grounded in inclusive, participatory methodologies that reflect the priorities of affected communities. This approach not only builds resilience and reduces grievances but also fosters trust and economic agency, laying the foundation for a virtuous cycle in which peace supports livelihoods, and livelihoods reinforce peace.

In Burkina Faso, where violent extremism and recruitment into non-state armed groups are major drivers of conflict, 33% of participants in Interpeace’s initiatives reported in 2024 that their households’ basic needs were now being consistently met each month—an improvement they attributed directly to their involvement in income-generating activities. These results illustrate how integrated livelihood support can serve as both a stabilising force, enabling individuals not only to escape immediate precarity but also to contribute more actively to rebuilding social cohesion. Climate change, the fifth key trend, magnifies existing vulnerabilities. Fragile states are not only home to many of the world’s poorest and most conflict-affected populations but also sit on the frontline of climate-related threats. Interpeace argues for preventive action and integrated peace–climate responses. Peace is not built by peacebuilders alone; therefore, they must collaborate with humanitarian, environmental, and development actors to strengthen local resilience and mitigate climate-driven conflict triggers.

In line with this perspective, Interpeace actively promotes Peace Responsiveness, an approach that goes beyond conflict sensitivity by engaging NGOs, multilateral organisations, and supranational bodies to ensure that initiatives across all sectors not only avoid exacerbating tensions but also actively contribute to peace outcomes within their respective mandates. In 2024, this vision translated into strategic contributions to the climate–peace agenda from a climate resilience perspective. In 2024, Interpeace contributed to the “Peace@COP29” policy paper[3]List of authors: Oxfam, International Alert, Interpeace, Conflict and Environment Observatory, Search for Common Ground, Institute for Climate and Peace, Alliance for Peace Building and partnered with the Malian Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, CGIAR, and other organisations to publish a joint report on climate, peace, and security. At the country level, Interpeace also contributed to the Malian national climate security strategy, thanks to its collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation.

Sixth, rising socio-economic inequality is both a driver and a consequence of conflict. Disparities in income, services, and opportunity—often along ethnic, gender, or geographic lines—are deepening across societies. These inequities fuel grievances, erode social cohesion, and create fertile ground for violence. In response, Interpeace supports holistic strategies that integrate peacebuilding with livelihood development. By enhancing and diversifying economic opportunities, fostering cooperation-based activity, strengthening local problem-solving, and expanding access to social protection, Interpeace addresses both the symptoms and structural causes of inequality. Its interventions are grounded in inclusive, participatory methodologies that reflect the priorities of affected communities. This approach not only builds resilience and reduces grievances but also fosters trust and economic agency, laying the foundation for a virtuous cycle in which peace supports livelihoods, and livelihoods reinforce peace.

In Burkina Faso, where violent extremism and recruitment into non-state armed groups are major drivers of conflict, 33% of participants in Interpeace’s initiatives reported in 2024 that their households’ basic needs were now being consistently met each month—an improvement they attributed directly to their involvement in income-generating activities. These results illustrate how integrated livelihood support can serve as both a stabilising force, enabling individuals not only to escape immediate precarity but also to contribute more actively to rebuilding social cohesion.

Underlying all these intersecting challenges is a deepening global crisis of trust between governments and citizens, within and among communities, and across generations. This crisis poses a fundamental threat to social cohesion. Interpeace does not view trust as a soft value, but rather as essential infrastructure for peace. Its work centres on rebuilding trust through inclusion, transparency, and locally led processes that empower people to shape their futures.

In addressing these converging threats, Interpeace offers a model that is both distinctive and effective. Its methodology ensures that dialogue leads to action and that action yields real transformation in power relations and social systems. Peacebuilding, in this view, is not limited to discussion or facilitation—it is about creating the conditions for communities, civil society, and institutions to promote lasting change.

Interpeace’s approach is not only strategic but also deeply principled. At its core lies an unwavering commitment to inclusion, ensuring that all voices, especially those historically marginalised, play a role in shaping peace. Its emphasis on equality reinforces the belief that peace is inseparable from the protection of fundamental human rights. Upholding strong accountability standards ensures that legitimacy and justice are not afterthoughts but rather a foundation. Placing integrity at the centre of the work fosters community trust through transparency and consistency, while its impartiality keeps the focus on people’s needs rather than power interests. These are not abstract ideals, but values embedded in every dialogue facilitated, every partnership forged, and every peace process supported. In an era marked by the erosion of norms and shrinking civic space, a people-centred peacebuilding model is not merely relevant—it is indispensable.

Additionally, Interpeace prioritises broad-based partnerships. By collaborating with stakeholders across academia, civil society, the international community, and the private sector, it enhances both the reach and sustainability of its impact. This alliance-based approach highlights the reality that peacebuilding is a collective effort. Interpeace’s adaptive methodology evolves in response to emerging challenges, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness.

At a time when the effectiveness of peacebuilding is under scrutiny and the number of comprehensive peace agreements continues to decline, Interpeace offers a compelling counter-narrative: peace is possible. Its mission—to accompany societies in building peace grounded in dignity, inclusion, and resilience—has never been more relevant. As the world faces overlapping crises and growing instability, Interpeace stands with conflict-affected communities, demonstrating that sustainable peace can be achieved when built from the ground up, rooted in local ownership, and led by those who live the consequences of conflict and violence every day. Peace is not merely an aspiration—it is an imperative.

Yet, the greatest risk peacebuilding faces today is not reduced funding or its relevance being questioned, but disengagement. The current reckoning in the field should not lead to retreat, but to renewed clarity, adaptability, and commitment. In other words, this moment is not a signal to step back—it is a challenge to step forward with greater purpose, sharper tools, and deeper humility. If we give in to cynicism, we abandon those who cannot afford to give up. In that sense, Interpeace’s mission remains as vital as ever. However, the responsibility to build peace transcends any single organisation; it is a shared responsibility. This is not the time to scale back ambition or investment in peace. It is the time to strengthen it.

1. International Committee of the Red Cross. "ICRC in 2024: Upholding Humanity in Conflict." International Committee of the Red Cross, February 5, 2024. https://www.icrc.org/en/article/icrc-2024-upholding-humanity-conflict.
2. UNHCR UK. "Five Key Takeaways from UNHCR's 2024 Mid-Year Trends Report." UNHCR UK, October 2024. https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/learn-more/news/news/five-key-takeaways-from-unhcrs-2024-mid-year-trends-report/.
3. List of authors: Oxfam, International Alert, Interpeace, Conflict and Environment Observatory, Search for Common Ground, Institute for Climate and Peace, Alliance for Peace Building