From participation to local ownership
From February 2022 to October 2023, as part of the Mediation Consortium, under the project “Support for mediation for resilience and peace in Ituri and Great North Kivu”, funded by the European Union and implemented by Interpeace, Pole Institute, Action for Peace and Concord (APC) and the Center for International Cooperation at the New York University, several activities were carried out. They ranged from consultations to participatory action research, capacity building of local actors and support for mediation/dialogue processes. All were in line with the national strategy of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) and the latter's provincial operational plans, in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. As the project implementation period draws to a close, the consortium partners, in consultation with supported mediators and other stakeholders, have identified ten lessons learned during the mediation process in Ituri and Beni. This report presents these as well as the processes that generated them. It also includes descriptions of significant changes and impacts to which the project may have contributed in the intervention areas. By sharing these lessons, we hope that they will contribute to the understanding of the role of internal mediators and how international and national communities can support these actors in their conflict prevention and resolution efforts.
The Livelihoods for Peace Paper explores the vital connection between livelihoods and peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions. As international commitment to peacebuilding grows, integrating livelihoods and peacebuilding programmes gains importance. Livelihoods offer tangible benefits, addressing the practical needs of communities, making them an accessible entry point for peacebuilding initiatives. But decent and sustainable livelihoods, if accessible fairly between and across societies, also contribute to peace and stability. Although the link between fair livelihoods and peace is well-established, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence or best practices. Livelihoods for Peace proposes a theory of change, focusing on four key areas: expanding livelihood opportunities, strengthening regulatory mechanisms, promoting cooperative livelihood activities, and enhancing access to social protection. These familiar livelihood interventions are designed on the basis of peace and conflict and market analysis, and integrate familiar peacebuilding methods such as dialogue, mediation, violence interruption, psychosocial recovery and reconciliation, fostering cooperation, trust, and resilience. Integrating peacebuilding and livelihoods efforts necessitates explicit theories of change, emphasising fairness, inclusivity, and gender sensitivity. Engaging experts from both fields and working at multiple levels ensures consistent outcomes and contributes to building enduring peace. Collaboration between governments, international agencies, civil society, and businesses is crucial, enabling conflict-affected communities to establish sustainable livelihoods and foster peace.
رعاية الصحة النفسية والاجتماعية نحو السلام المستدام – Executive Summary in Arabic
Interpeace’s seventh Peacebuilding in Practice paper, Mind the Peace, presents a guidance framework for practitioners to integrate MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood programming. It provides practical principles and guidance for programme implementers, researchers and donors who want to operationalise and support more integrated approaches to MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood development. The report draws on journals, books, mapping reports, international and organisation-specific guidance documents, evaluations and programme experience. It also benefits from local, regional and international policy and research processes; and a number of country-based case studies.
Soigner les esprits pour cultiver la paix – Executive Summary in French
Interpeace’s seventh Peacebuilding in Practice paper, Mind the Peace, presents a guidance framework for practitioners to integrate MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood programming. It provides practical principles and guidance for programme implementers, researchers and donors who want to operationalise and support more integrated approaches to MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood development. The report draws on journals, books, mapping reports, international and organisation-specific guidance documents, evaluations and programme experience. It also benefits from local, regional and international policy and research processes; and a number of country-based case studies.
Mind the Peace – Executive Summary in English
Interpeace’s seventh Peacebuilding in Practice paper, Mind the Peace, presents a guidance framework for practitioners to integrate MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood programming. It provides practical principles and guidance for programme implementers, researchers and donors who want to operationalise and support more integrated approaches to MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood development. The report draws on journals, books, mapping reports, international and organisation-specific guidance documents, evaluations and programme experience. It also benefits from local, regional and international policy and research processes; and a number of country-based case studies.
Mind the Peace – Full report
Interpeace’s seventh Peacebuilding in Practice paper, Mind the Peace, presents a guidance framework for practitioners to integrate MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood programming. It provides practical principles and guidance for programme implementers, researchers and donors who want to operationalise and support more integrated approaches to MHPSS, peacebuilding and livelihood development. The report draws on journals, books, mapping reports, international and organisation-specific guidance documents, evaluations and programme experience. It also benefits from local, regional and international policy and research processes; and a number of country-based case studies.