May 2017

Research this month

Boko Haram and violent extremism: perspectives from peacebuilders

The study was conclusive in its finding that peacebuilders believed that military force has contributed very little to radicalising people to join Boko Haram. However, the peacebuilders did not think the that the military could provide a long-lasting answer to Boko Haram; hence, they recommended a set of solutions that included military and non-military measures.

Boko Haram and violent extremism, from the Institute of Security Studies, presents the views of local peacebuilders responding to the impacts of the Boko Haram conflict in Northern Nigeria. Peacebuilders give their opinions on what motivates people to join Boko Haram, what impact the military response is having, and what should be done to end the conflict.

Community-based development in rural Afghanistan

Despite the enthusiasm for community-based approaches, they are in fact inappropriate for many places in rural Afghanistan, including where such projects have reported tremendous success. A key reason is that an essential element is often missing from the implementation of these efforts: the community.

Community-based development in rural Afghanistan, from USIP, is a critical examination of the assumptions underlying community-based development projects in Afghanistan. The report argues that many assumptions are misguided, leading to inappropriate projects and unreliable evaluations.

Prospects for local integration of internally displaced people in North Kivu, DRC

In North Kivu, local integration, which is already taking place informally, has emerged as an underexploited means of strengthening the resilience of displaced people while potentially reinforcing social cohesion.

Prospects for local integration of internally displaced people in North Kivu, DRC, from Oxfam, argues for greater attention on integrating displaced people into local communities in DR Congo. According to the report, too much focus is given to the eventual return of displaced people at the expense of short-term, more immediate needs.

Sustaining Peace: what does it mean in practice?

[S]ustaining peace cannot simply sit alongside economic, social, or security policies. It must be positioned above all the different sectors, akin to a meta-policy that builds on and accounts for all other policies. All policies must be infused with the intention to sustain peace, which in turn will make them more durable and coherent.

Sustaining Peace, from the International Peace Institute, seeks to define the concept of "sustaining peace". The concept has become a key part of the UN's thinking around peace, although there is still uncertainty about what exactly is meant by the idea. This paper attempts to give a definition and look at what it means in practice.

Conflict Trends 2017/1

The latest edition of ACCORD's Conflict Trends includes articles on "people-centered" border management, repatriation in Northern Nigeria, and the role of mineral resources in conflict in Eastern DR Congo.

Mapping peacebuilding in Unity State

Following five years of work supporting local peacebuilding in the Sudanese province of South Kordofan, Peace Direct commissioned a mapping of local peacebuilding capacities in Unity State, across the border in South Sudan. The aim was to map local organisations and other actors, as well as the international organisations supporting local peacebuilding. View the research

Funding opportunities

Women of Peace Award

The Women’s Peacepower Foundation, Inc. is seeking nominations for its Women of Peace Award to reward women for peace, fairness and justice. The recipients will be honored through a small financial contribution, a minimum of $250 made to the non-profit organization of their choice that is working to promote peace. Deadline: 31 May 2017 Find out more

IPRAF Peace Research Grant Program

The International Peace Research Association Foundation (IPRAF) is seeking applicants for its Peace Research Grants Program in order to enhance the processes of peace. Deadline: 31 August 2017 Find out more

Public Peace Prize

The Public Peace Prize is the only peace award for which the candidates are proposed, nominated and supported simply by citizens of the world. This mark of recognition allows everyone to offer their appreciation for initiatives and for people, known or unknown, who are working for reconciliation, non-violence and mutual aid. Deadline: 1 January 2018 Find out more

Maypole Fund

The Maypole Fund is currently open for applications to support imaginative, non-violent and politically expressive projects from women and welcomes applications from women only for peace-related projects and activities. The Maypole Fund provides grants of up to £750. Deadline: 30 June 2017 Find out more

Open Society Initiative for West Africa

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa is accepting proposals from local organisations based in West Africa to support the creation of open societies marked by functioning democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. Deadline: 30 May 2017 Find out more

Strengthening Resilience to Violence and Extremism (STRIVE-Global)

Strengthening Resilience to Violence and Extremism is currently accepting proposals from eligible organisations with an aim to support design and implementation of civil society initiatives to prevent and counter violent extremism. Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between EUR 40,000 and EUR 100,000. Deadline: 22 May 2017 Find out more

North-South Prize

The North-South Prize distinguishes each year two people, one from the north, the other from the south, who have excelled in their commitment to human rights, democracy and rule of law, contributing to the north-south dialogue and interdependence. Deadline: 15 September 2017 Find out more

Mapping EU peace projects

The EU's Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) funds projects working to prevent and respond to actual or emerging crises in 74 countries. In partnership with the IcSP, Peace Direct has developed an online interactive map where you can explore the many projects the IcSP supports across the world. Explore the map »