One invaluable tool for assessing contexts and issues to inform programming is the Conflict Tree. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of the Conflict Tree, its components, and how it can empower decision-makers and analysts. We will also provide visual aids in the form of five images to enhance your understanding of this powerful analytical tool.

The Conflict Tree: An Overview

At its core, the Conflict Tree is a visual representation of a complex problem or issue. It enables stakeholders to dissect and understand the various elements involved in a conflict or situation. Think of it as a sophisticated decision-making flowchart that provides a comprehensive view of the problem.

The Trunk/ Stem:

At the core of a conflict analysis is the identification of the issue that is being explored. For community processes, a consensus must first be reached on which issue is going to be explored (note that during the exploration process, other issues might crop up as causes or effects or even potential intervention strategies). To come up with a consensus of the issue to be indicated at the trunk (refer to the image above to see where the trunk is), a facilitator can help the group reach a consensus through the following steps

a.      Brainstorming: this is the initial step. Get as many members f the group to share in a paper (or verbally but capture their ideas on a paper/ card, one idea per card, and a person can have multiple ideas) of the issues facing their communities.

b.      Put all the cards/ ideas on a surface where everyone else can see. The surface could be a wall, pinboard or on the floor.

c.       Have all the participants look at ideas and see which ones are similar, which ideas could be put under one umbrella, etc. This process is called grouping/ clustering of the ideas.

d.      Now that you have fewer ideas (as some may have been swallowed or merged with others), have the group prioritize which of the presented ideas they want to start exploring; it could be the most pressing issue for them or one that seems to hold (in one way or another) the ideas too.

e.      Now pick that idea/ issue and put at the trunk for consequent steps.

Branches of Conflict:

On a natural tree, branches, leaves, fruits and flowers comprise the visible parts of the tree, usually by which people can identify what kind of a tree/ plant that is. When using a conflict tree, branches, leaves, fruits, and flowers may be visualized as the visible signs/ indicators or effects of the issue (what was indicated at the stem/ trunk). They represent different dimensions of the issue. These branches can represent specific causes, actors, or contributing factors

The Root Cause:

The natural roots of any plant or tree are usually the invisible parts, but whose role is key in the well-being of the tree. In processing an issue, the roots represent the root causes or the primary factors driving the conflict. These could be personal, structural/ systemis, cultural etc. that could be easily identified or so much at the core that serious discussions can only reveal. Identifying this root cause is crucial, as it informs the entire analysis.

Stakeholders and Actors:

Conflict Trees consider the individuals, organizations, or groups involved in the issue. Each actor’s role and interests are documented, allowing for a deeper understanding of their motivations and influence.

External Factors:

External influences, such as economic conditions, political dynamics, or environmental factors, can significantly impact conflicts. Including these factors in the analysis provides a holistic perspective.

Image 3: Analyzing Stakeholders and Actors

Effects and Consequences:

The branches of the tree extend further to outline the consequences of the conflict. This includes both short-term and long-term effects, helping analysts anticipate potential outcomes.

Alternative Scenarios:

To make informed decisions, it’s essential to explore various scenarios. Conflict Trees allow for the creation of alternative paths, each illustrating a different trajectory based on different actions taken.

Programming and Interventions:

Ultimately, the Conflict Tree guides programming and interventions. It helps decision-makers identify strategic entry points for addressing the conflict and achieving positive change.

Conclusion

In an ever-evolving world filled with complex challenges, the Conflict Tree is a powerful tool for assessing contexts and issues to inform programming. By visually mapping out the root causes, stakeholders, consequences, and potential interventions, decision-makers can make informed choices and implement effective solutions. Whether you’re working on community development, conflict resolution, or policy formulation, integrating the Conflict Tree into your analytical toolkit can be a game-changer. Embrace this structured approach to unravel complex issues, and watch your programming efforts yield more impactful results

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In a world grappling with multifaceted challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality, the concept of sustainable development has become paramount. To achieve lasting progress, it’s imperative to engage communities in shaping and executing initiatives that drive sustainable development. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of community-driven initiatives and how they inform programming to foster sustainable development.

Understanding Community-Driven Initiatives

Community-driven initiatives, often abbreviated as CDIs, are grassroots efforts that empower local communities to take an active role in addressing their unique challenges and improving their quality of life. These initiatives are characterized by:

Bottom-Up Approach:

CDIs start from the ground up, with community members identifying problems and crafting solutions themselves. This participatory approach ensures that projects are tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of the community.

Ownership and Accountability:

When communities are actively involved in decision-making and implementation, they take ownership of the initiatives. This not only increases the chances of success but also fosters a sense of responsibility and pride.

Sustainability:

CDIs prioritize long-term sustainability. By involving local expertise and resources, they create solutions that endure beyond initial interventions.

The Role of CDIs in Sustainable Development

Community-driven initiatives are instrumental in shaping sustainable development for several reasons:

1. Empowerment and Inclusivity

CDIs empower marginalized and vulnerable communities, giving them a voice and agency in their own development. This inclusivity ensures that no one is left behind, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2. Tailored Solutions

Each community is unique, and what works in one place may not work in another. CDIs recognize this diversity and enable communities to design and implement solutions that fit their local context, thus increasing the chances of success.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

CDIs promote knowledge sharing within and between communities. As they learn from one another’s successes and failures, they build valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied to various aspects of sustainable development.

4. Sustainability

Sustainability is at the core of CDIs. By involving communities in decision-making and implementation, these initiatives create a sense of ownership and responsibility that leads to the long-term success of projects.

5. Strengthening Social Capital

Community-driven initiatives foster social cohesion and trust within communities. These bonds are critical for collective action and resilience, both essential elements of sustainable development.

How CDIs Inform Programming

To achieve sustainable development, programming must be informed and influenced by community-driven initiatives. Here’s how this synergy can be achieved:

1. Collaborative Planning

Programs should involve communities from the very beginning. Collaborative planning ensures that the program’s goals and strategies align with the needs and aspirations of the community.

2. Capacity Building/ capacity development

Investing in the capacity building of community members ensures they have the skills and knowledge needed to actively participate in the development process. This might include training in project management, leadership, and technical skills.

3. Resource Mobilization

Efforts should be made to mobilize resources from various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners, to support community-driven initiatives. These resources can provide the necessary funding, technical expertise, and materials required for success.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Continuous monitoring and evaluation of CDIs and programs are essential to measure progress, make necessary adjustments, and ensure accountability. Communities should be actively involved in this process to maintain transparency and trust.

5. Scaling Successful CDIs

Identifying and scaling successful community-driven initiatives can have a far-reaching impact on sustainable development. These models can serve as blueprints for similar efforts in other communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, community-driven initiatives are not just buzzwords but powerful tools for achieving sustainable development. They empower communities, foster inclusivity, and promote ownership, all of which are crucial for lasting progress. By integrating CDIs into programming and policy-making, we can move closer to a world where sustainability is not an aspiration but a reality. Together, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all.

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In the world of grant funding, subawards play a crucial role in the distribution of resources and responsibilities. A subaward is a formal agreement between a primary funding agency and a secondary organization, typically a subrecipient or subgrantee, to carry out a portion of the work outlined in the original grant proposal. To fully grasp the significance of subawards, it’s essential to explore their history, the reasons for their existence, and the pros and cons they bring to both the funding agency and the target organizations.

History of Subawards

The concept of subawards in grant funding has a long history, dating back to the early days of government and private foundation grants. Historically, organizations that received large grants or contracts often found themselves in need of additional expertise or resources to fulfill their project obligations. To address this, subawards were introduced to allow primary grant recipients to partner with other organizations, often nonprofits, universities, or research institutions, to achieve their project goals effectively.

Reasons for Subawards

Expertise and Capacity:

One of the primary reasons for using subawards is to tap into the specialized expertise and capacity of other organizations. This can be especially beneficial when the primary recipient lacks certain skills, facilities, or resources required for specific project components.

Geographic Reach:

Subawards can help expand the geographic reach of a project. Funding agencies can partner with organizations operating in different regions or countries to ensure their initiatives are effective on a broader scale.

Collaboration and Innovation:

Collaboration is often a driving force behind subawards. Partnering with multiple organizations allows for the exchange of ideas, cross-pollination of innovative approaches, and ultimately, better outcomes.

Pros for the Funding Agency

Risk Mitigation:

Subawards allow funding agencies to distribute risk by spreading project responsibilities across multiple organizations. If one subrecipient faces challenges or fails to meet its obligations, the primary agency can still ensure project success.

Expertise Access:

Funding agencies can access the specialized expertise of subrecipients, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of projects. This is particularly valuable when dealing with complex, multidisciplinary endeavors.

Efficient Resource Allocation:

Subawards enable funding agencies to allocate their resources more efficiently. They can direct funds to specific aspects of a project while leveraging the strengths of subrecipients for other components.

Cons for the Funding Agency

Administrative Burden:

Managing multiple subawards can be administratively complex, requiring rigorous oversight, monitoring, and reporting. This can strain agency resources.

Coordination Challenges:

Ensuring seamless collaboration among multiple subrecipients can be challenging, as differing organizational cultures, procedures, and priorities may clash.

Accountability:

Holding subrecipients accountable for performance and compliance with grant terms can be challenging, leading to potential delays or complications.

Pros of subawards for the Target Organizations

Access to Funding:

Subrecipient organizations gain access to funding opportunities they might not have secured independently, allowing them to expand their reach and impact.

Capacity Building/ Capacity Development:

Subawards often provide an opportunity for organizations to build their capacity, acquire new skills, and strengthen their operations.

Networking and Collaboration:

Collaborating on subawards fosters networking and collaboration, which can lead to future partnerships and enhanced credibility within the sector.

Cons of subawards for the Target Organizations

Limited Autonomy:

Subrecipients may have limited autonomy in shaping project objectives and activities, as they must align with the primary agency’s vision and goals.

Reporting and Compliance:

Meeting the reporting and compliance requirements of the funding agency can be burdensome and time-consuming.

Risk of Overextension:

Taking on multiple subawards simultaneously can strain organizational resources and capacity, risking the quality of project execution.

Conclusion

Subawards are a critical mechanism in grant funding, with a rich history and a range of benefits and challenges for both funding agencies and target organizations. When executed effectively, subawards can harness the expertise, capacity, and collaborative potential of various entities, ultimately leading to more successful and impactful projects. However, they also demand careful planning, coordination, and management to ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks. As the landscape of grant funding continues to evolve, understanding and effectively utilizing subawards will remain an essential skill for both funding agencies and organizations seeking to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

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What is “Do No Harm”?

“Do No Harm” is a principle rooted in ethics and humanitarianism that seeks to ensure that development interventions do not inadvertently harm the communities they aim to help. It originated in the humanitarian sector but has since been adopted and adapted across various fields of development work. The central idea is that while trying to bring about positive change, development practitioners must be vigilant in avoiding any actions or decisions that could cause harm, particularly to vulnerable populations.

The Four Pillars of “Do No Harm”

Understand the Context:

To apply the “Do No Harm” principle effectively, development practitioners must first gain a deep understanding of the local context, including social, economic, political, and cultural factors. This involves engaging with the community, conducting thorough assessments, and listening to the voices of those directly affected by the interventions. Without this understanding, it is difficult to anticipate and mitigate potential harm.

Do Not Exacerbate Existing Problems:

A crucial aspect of “Do No Harm” is ensuring that development interventions do not exacerbate existing issues within the community. For example, a well-intentioned project aimed at increasing agricultural productivity should not inadvertently lead to land disputes or environmental degradation. It’s essential to consider the potential ripple effects of any intervention.

Minimize Negative Consequences:

Development work often involves trade-offs and complex choices. Practitioners must actively seek ways to minimize negative consequences. This may involve conducting risk assessments, adapting strategies based on feedback, and regularly monitoring the impact of the interventions. Flexibility and adaptability are key here.

Empower Local Communities:

“Do No Harm” emphasizes the importance of empowering local communities to be active participants in the development process. Instead of imposing solutions from the outside, development practitioners should collaborate with local stakeholders, involve them in decision-making, and build their capacity to address their own challenges. This approach not only minimizes harm but also enhances sustainability.

Challenges and Critiques

While the “Do No Harm” principle is essential for ethical and effective development work, it is not without its challenges and critiques. Some argue that it can be overly cautious and hinder progress, leading to inaction in the face of pressing issues. Others question the feasibility of fully understanding complex local contexts, especially in conflict zones or rapidly changing environments. Striking the right balance between doing no harm and achieving positive change can indeed be challenging. Not causing harm (adherence to community/ social contexts may be the one thing that is hindering development empowerment of some actors as some communities want to maintain a social fabric that is already set on the marginalization and exploitation of some groups such as women, youth, disabled persons, and people of some political, religious, economic, and social statuses among others.

Conclusion

The “Do No Harm” principle is a moral compass that guides development practitioners in their efforts to make the world a better place. It acknowledges that good intentions alone are not sufficient and that the road to development is fraught with potential pitfalls. By deeply understanding the context, minimizing negative consequences, and empowering local communities, development work can be more ethical, effective, and sustainable.

In an ever-changing and interconnected world, the “Do No Harm” principle reminds us that while we strive to create positive change, we must remain vigilant, adaptable, and compassionate, ensuring that our actions contribute to the betterment of humanity without causing unintended harm.

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Log Frame: A tool in Development Work

In the realm of development work, achieving effective outcomes and measuring progress can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there exists a valuable tool that simplifies this process: the Log Frame, short for Logical Framework. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what a Log Frame is, how organizations use it for work programming and project cycles in development work, and provide you with a visual journey through this essential concept with six illustrative images.

Understanding the Log Frame

A Log Frame, often referred to as a Logical Framework, is a systematic and comprehensive planning and management tool used in the field of development work. It’s designed to enhance project management, monitoring, and evaluation processes. At its core, a Log Frame is a matrix that outlines the key components of a project or program and their relationships. These components include:

1.      Overall Objective (Goal): The high-level, long-term objective that the project aims to achieve is usually presented at the top of the Log Frame. It represents the ultimate impact of the project on the target community or beneficiaries.

2.      Specific Objectives (Purpose) also referred to as Outcomes by different stakeholders: Intermediate objectives that, when achieved, contribute to the overall objective. They are more specific and time-bound.

3.      Outputs: These are the tangible and measurable results of the project. Outputs are the direct products or services delivered by the project.

4.      Activities: The Log Frame is key in not visualizing the goal but also helping development workers draft the specific activities/ tasks / efforts that the project needs to implement. These tasks and actions are necessary to produce the outputs. Activities are the day-to-day actions carried out during the project.

5.      Indicators: Measurable criteria that allow for the assessment of progress and success. Indicators help in quantifying the achievement of objectives and outputs.

6.      Means of Verification: The sources and methods used to collect data and evidence for assessing progress and verifying the achievements of the project.

7. Risks / Assumptions: Truth be told, no project or development work takes place in a vacuum. There are factors (expected or not) that could affect (derail or boost) the implementation of activities and the long term achievement of the envisioned outcomes and the overall goal. These factor are captured under risks and or assumptions and are phrased in the following manner “If …….. then ….”

How Organizations Utilize Log Frames

Now that we’ve established what a Log Frame is, let’s explore how organizations use this valuable tool for work programming and project cycles in development work:

1. Strategic Planning: Log Frames play a pivotal role in the strategic planning phase, helping organizations define their goals and objectives clearly.

2. Project Design: During project design, Log Frames assist in breaking down complex projects into manageable components, ensuring that each activity is aligned with the project’s objectives.

3. Resource Allocation: Log Frames aid in resource allocation by helping organizations identify the inputs required for each activity and output, enabling efficient resource utilization.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Throughout the project cycle, Log Frames serve as a monitoring and evaluation tool, allowing organizations to track progress against indicators and make data-driven decisions.

5. Reporting and Accountability: Log Frames facilitate clear reporting and accountability by providing a structured framework for documenting project activities and results.

6. Learning and Adaptation: Organizations use Log Frames to learn from their experiences and adapt their strategies as needed, improving the effectiveness of future projects.

Summary

In summary, a Log Frame is a powerful tool that helps development organizations plan, execute, and assess their projects and programs effectively. By providing a structured framework for defining objectives, outputs, and indicators, Log Frames enable organizations to maximize their impact and contribute to positive changes in the communities they serve.

As you embark on your journey in the world of development work, remember that Log Frames are not just diagrams on paper; they are the guiding compass that leads you toward your development goals, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

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What is Force Field Analysis?

Force Field Analysis (FFA) is an analysis tool that can be used to capture different data so as to inform the knowledge of a situation/ context. Data that is captured by this tool include Attitudes, Behaviour, Actors, as well as Systems and Structures.

The importance of Force Field Analysis is to help development workers identify forces/ factors that may boost their work (called Driving Forces), as well as forces that may thwart their (development workers) efforts towards achieving desired goals (called Hindering Forces or Dividers.

How to Conduct Force Field Analysis

• Identify the Attitudes, Behaviours, Systems & Structures, and the Actors that support your mission. If you are working in the Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, identify all these forces that reduce conflict / boost peace as these are the forces that are already working towards towards the goal you have in mind. If you are working in incorporating gender inclusivity, look at the forces that work with you. These could form great alliances

• Identify the Attitudes, Behaviours, Systems & Structures, and the Actors that thwart your efforts and derail your mission. If you are working in the Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation field, identify all the forces that support polarization along gender lines as these are the forces that you will derail you. These factors could hinder you from achieving success.

• List the Central Element (this is the issue you are working on) as shown in the image above.

• Write the Goal (Mission) you envision for your project in the last column as indicated in the image above

• Keeping in mind the goal of your project, develop activities that will reinforce / support/ boost the forces you identified as working with you/ towards. It could be subtle as meeting actors who may have data that is relevant to your work (so they can witness your goodwill and share information with you), or as intense as forming working alliances.

• Keeping in Mind the goal you have for your project, develop activities/ strategies that minimize the impact of the forces that are against your desired goal.

• If you prefer, you can include the information and planning strategies you identified above in any of the tools you use for Planning Projects’. Do your implementation and when doing your Monitoring and Evaluation, refer to the data (you can gather great qualitative data using the story-telling tool) you had acquired and use the Story-Telling tool to get data that shows you progress.

Why Use Force Field Analysis?

Besides helping development workers / peacebuilders plan better, Force Field Analysis is a tool used for Conflict Sensitivity. This means that multiple aspects are captured by the toll to help a development worker visualize intended/ unintended impacts that his/ her actions towards a goal might produce. In this essence, the captured data should enable the worker/ peacebuilder to minimize activities that may worsen the situation he/she working on/in while maximizing positive impact.

Conflict Sensitivity Tools help development workers capture and process intended/ unintended impacts of projects beforehand; allows conflict-sensitive planning.

Conflict Sensitivity refers the conscious efforts that are geared towards capturing, analysing, and processing the intended and unintended impacts of any intervention in development work. Conflict sensitivity Tools help capture and process this information.

As part of the wider Conflict Analysis, Conflict Sensitivity seeks to capture and visualize the unintended negative impacts that a project/ intervention may have in a bid to plan (re-plan) peacebuilding projects in a way that maximizes the positive impacts and reduces the negative impact of the intervention. There are several Conflict Analysis Tools that can be used to conduct the Conflict Sensitivity of a project or proposed intervention.

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Stories have a way of drawing people in.

What is Story-Telling?

Story-Telling is a powerful tool that can be used to draw out people’s experiences and stories in a manner that does not make them feel intimidated or pressured.Working with different communities can pose challenges to fruitful interaction of development workers (national and international personnel) due to the perceived and actual power dinamics. However, since story-telling is a free-flowing tool, it can be used as an ice-breaker (depending on the nature of the stories told), as well as a tool of collecting raw qualitative data.

What are the Advantages of Using Story-Telling in Community Processes?

• Different yet Similar: While each human being’s stories is unique in a way, there are many similarities of human experience. Stories help people ‘offload’ their experiences while creating new identities and comfort that is drawn from knowing that some of the experiences are similar to other people’s. In sensitive community processes where conflict, gender violations, human rights violations, personal experiences, etc.,  narratives need to be heard, story-telling can bring about healing, as well as new cohesion birthed from identification with other people’s experiences and a deeper understanding of each other.

• Non-Intimidating and Dignity-Preserving: There is a meme/ joke going around of a pupil who was given (together with others) a composition/essay to write based on self. The student was graded 5/40 by the teacher. The question in the mind of the pupil: “is the teacher me?” “does the teacher know more about me than I know?” In relation to this joke, Story-Telling gives people the freedom and confidence to tell this story without fear of being graded. Unlike with other forms of data-gathering where a person is required to answer a set of questions (which can feel intimidating or tailored, hence affecting the feedback the person gives), story-telling does not feel intimidating or overly structured to the story-sharers since a person is in control of how, where and what to share of his/her story. As such, the information can be shared freely and comfortably.

• 

  Story-telling is one of the tools that can be used to draw raw qualitative data especially when people do not feel constricted by strict guidelines such as those that come with other forms of data gathering. Raw and authentic qualitative data puts a human face to the assumptions/ statistics/ insinuations that are baseless.
   

• Without straining people, free-style story-telling can easily help people draw out (and understand) privileges (advantages, stepping stones) that they can start working on/ from to advance their situation as well as that of others.

• Without straining people, story-telling can help people draw out and document forces that have disadvantaged them. This would enable people pin-point exactly what to work on instead of being all confused and lost in a quagmire of un-identified disadvantages.

• Data gathered from story-telling can and should be used to inform course of action for sustainable impact.

Challenges of Using Story-Telling as a Tool

• Time-consuming
• Unforeseen unpleasant happenings: Sometimes, some stories may trigger emotional reaction from the person sharing the story (if they re-live their moments, and this could end the session abruptly) or from the recipients of the story. Facilitators may need to be prepared and know how to take appropriate action to minimize negative consequences of such stories.
• Stories may be only one-sided and subjective, hence run the danger of the recipients forming opinions (unfair) especially if there is no follow-up.

Where and When can Story-Telling be Used?

• During gatherings that have people of different social statusquo, an introductory (or consequent) story-telling can swiftly break the ice as the story draws people (dissolving differences, albeit only temporarily) and bring people’s minds to the same frame/ context.

• Data-collection, especially the collection of qualitative data.
• Conflict Analysis or situational analysis exercises
• During Monitoring and Evaluation exercises

(I will add more details to the above points later…)

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Conflict Analysis informs peacebuilding and development work. It’s often skipped due to: priorities/ funding, unconducive environment, ignorance of its importance among others. .

Conflict Analysis is the process of examining the data that is collected within and without the confines of a conflict in a bid to understand the extent and the form(s) of that conflict.

This process should be based off reliable data from the relevant actors and stakeholders if the analysis is to deduce a realistic picture of the conflict.

In an ideal situation, peacebuilding intervention strategies for conflicts should be informed by the conflict analysis.

Why is Conflict Analysis Important?

Please read further below.

In Summary: Conflict Analysis is important not only to inform peacebuilding interventions but also for Conflict Sensitivity.

Conflict Sensitivity refers to the measures that are taken to ensure that peace interventions are conscious of the conflict variables which, if mishandled, might cause more harm than good to the peacebuilders / development, the community or other stakeholders in the peace field.

Read more about Conflict Sensitivity and the Tools that you can use here.

What Variables Does Conflict Analysis Look At

Conflicts, especially conflicts, have multiple variables that make the solving of such conflicts complex. These variables also take different forms at different forms, which is why peacebuilding efforts may not work in an instant.

Effective peace building efforts should seek to understand the conflict variables (see the list below) in order to come up with intervention strategies that have maximum positive impact and minimal probabilities of fueling the conflict further.

• Conflict/ polarizing issues
• Actors: Use Actors Mapping Tool to visualize and analyze the conflict actors or other stakeholders
  
• Stakeholders: Other professionals working in the peace field, especially in the conflict environment at hand
• Relationships between the actors
• Relationships between stakeholders
• External Dynamics
• Time/ History

To skip Conflict Analysis and Dive into REAL Peacebuilding or Not?

In my opinion Conflict Analysis is an important process for any intervention.

HOWEVER, the intensity and formality of the process should be left at the discretion of the involved parties/ peacebuilding organization/ project managers.

NOTE: Conflict Sensitivity during Conflict Analysis

During this Conflict Analysis process (however simple or intense it is), the peacebuilder/ development worker/ program manager should think ahead and put necessary measures to avoid escalating the conflicts further.

Data collection for Conflict Analysis:

For instance, if talking to some actors and or stakeholders (during the data collection phase) in a secluded place causes tension between those actors and the rest of the community, then such discrete talks should be rethought.

Information Sharing after Conflict Analysis

Another thing to consider is how, where, and with whom the results of this analysis are shared.

Two Common Types of Conflict Analysis

Official/ Intense Conflict Analysis

Some peace projects/ development workers may choose an official and intense Conflict Analysis process to inform their next course of actions, This may include getting a Peace and Conflict Consultant to spearhead the process, investing a significant budget to collect and process data from diverse sources, and holding a results’ validation exercise where different actors/ stakeholders are informed of the results.

Unofficial/ Casual Conflict Analysis

Other peace projects may choose to use an unofficial approach that may include casual chats with different actors/ stakeholders

5 Reasons Why Conflict Analysis is Important for any Project/ Intervention

• It informs the best inclusive intervention/ peacebuilding practices that have maximum positive impact
• It informs the best peacebuilding/ intervention practices that will cause minimal harm to the community
• It informs practices that keep the peace worker/ development worker safe
• Informs projects that have a higher probability for sustainable
• It informs the exact input (social structures – people’s capacities, resources, etc.  ) that will build toward reduced violence and peace

3 Main Reasons Why Some Development Workers/ Peace Projects Skip Conflict Analysis

• Lack of the awareness of how important Conflict Analysis is to their project
• Budgetary constraints and different priorities: Some peace projects’ priorities and budgets plan for the ‘seemingly’ important activities of a project and exclude Conflict Analysis
• Initial harsh environment that does not allow for a safe/ unbiased analysis

Conflict Analysis Tools

Below as some of the tools that you can use to conduct a conflict analysis. Some tools are specific for processing/ analyzing specific variables, whereas other tools can analyze multiple conflict variables at a go.

Click on each tool for more information. If I have not updated the information for each tool, please check back later

1. Actors Mapping
2. Conflict Tree
3. The Hand
4. Onion
5. Timeline
6. Inverted Triangle
7. Violence Triangle
8. Positions, Interests, Needs and Fears (PINF)
9. Systemic Analysis/ Charting Conflict Systems/ Reinforcing Loop

Kindly submit any feedback in the comments sections below.

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Actors mapping, also referred as stakeholders’ mapping in some development sectors, is the process of identifying the actors (people who directly/ indirectly influence something as well as the people who are directly/ indirectly influenced by the effects of that something.

Actors Mapping as Part of Conflict Analysis and Conflict Sensitivity

Actors Mapping is part and parcel of Conflict Analysis as it seeks to understand the variable (in this case the actors/ stakeholders) in a conflict or development work context in a bid to make informed decisions about a potential viable intervention.

Actors Mapping/ Stakeholders Mapping is also a key component of Conflict Sensitivity. Having an insight into the actors in a conflict / development and their relationships helps a peace worker, peace and conflict consultant, project managers, program coordinators, and development workers visualize how their interaction with certain actors is likely to affect their relationship with other actors.

Under-estimating the significance of some actors can be detrimental not only to the project (planned intervention), but also to the development worker / peace worker him/ herself.

How Does Actors Mapping Help?

• Visualize all the actors
• Visualize the relationship between the actors
• Visualize the conflict issues between the actors
• Explore the potential entry points for intervention

Notes on the Actors Mapping Visual Mapping

Please read this post to see the requirements and the process of Actors Mapping Here

• The role of each actor in the conflict is noted by the size of the allocated card
• The significance of each actor is noted by the shape of the allocated card. Some actors are not directly involved in a conflict regardless of how big or small (power) they are, hence (during the analysis exercise), they get a differently shaped card.
• The relationship between the different actors, hence awareness on the side of the peace worker/ development worker, project manager or consultant on the how working with some actors/ stakeholders might impact on the other actors; reinforcing or blocking his/ her efforts.

What Other Actors Mapping Tools I can Use?

• Actors Mapping,
• The Hand,
• PINF (Positions, Interests, Needs, and Fears), and
• Charting Conflict Systems (Systemic Analysis)

There is a plethora of tools that can be used to identify and analyse actors in any conflict context or development work.

Most Conflict Analysis Tools and stakeholders mapping tools focus on the multiple conflict variables and as such, peace workers, project managers, peace and conflict consultants, and development workers should choose wisely.

Tool of Choice for Actors Mapping

One tool, however, Actors Mapping Tool, I find most effective in doing a comprehensive mapping of actors/ stakeholders as it focuses on the actors and their relationships as the key variables.

Additionally, the Actors’ Mapping Tool enables a peace builder to not only focus on the ‘known’ conflict actors but also explore indirect actors whose involvement in the conflict is significant.

How to Do Actors Mapping / Stakeholders Mapping

Please read this in-depth post on how to do an Actors Mapping/ Stakeholders Mapping using the Actors Mapping Tool here

What are your thoughts?

The post Actors Mapping 101 / Stakeholders Analysis 101: Understanding the Actors and their Roles in Development Work appeared first on Development Work, Conflict Transformation, and PeaceBuilding... Informed Capacity Development for Diverse Stakeholders.

As a development worker, is Actors Mapping / Stakeholders Analysis important?

Do you ever wonder what would happen to you or your project if you jumped into implementing a project without seeking to understand who you will be working with or against, who you will be working for, or who will be affected by your interventions?

• Do you think the success of your project would be impacted?
• Do you think your personal safety/ welfare might be affected by your intervention?

What is Actors Mapping?

Actors Mapping is the process of identifying and seeking to understand the different actors / stakeholders in any setting / field/ scenario, as well as their relationships, and the possible impact they have on your peacebuilding/ development work or any other community process.

Understanding the actors in any setting should also give the development worker, project manager, peace and conflict consultant or program coordinators an insight into the people/ actors who might be affected positively or otherwise by the project.

Actors Mapping is, thus, a process that peacebuilders and facilitators of other community processes cannot afford to ignore.

Read how to conduct Actors Mapping / Stakeholders Mapping Here

How and Where To Do Actors Mapping

How, where, and how long the Actors Mapping is done by any development worker/ organization/ peace builder/ facilitator of community processes is up to their discretion.

The Actors Mapping Process can be carried out in a simple forum of the development workers only, or intensively in a forum that engages multiple actors/ stakeholders and uses Actors Mapping Tools to gather, process, and present information.

5 Reasons Why Actors Mapping is Important for any Intervention

1. Actors Mapping is part of the broader Context Assessment and Analysis in Development Work.

An introvert’s specialty, given his/ her ‘discomfort’ in a public arena, is to know WHO is present, WHAT their role is, HOW they impact his/ her presence, interaction, and outcome of whatever engagements the public forum aims at.

As development workers, project managers, peace and conflict consultants, program coordinators, peace workers, and facilitators of community processes, we should always wear an introvert’s glasses.

We need to use the lenses not for our own psych but for a better understanding of our actors, their involvement with our processes, and the possible foreseen or unforeseen impacts of each actor on our processes.

2. Actors Mapping is Part of Do No Harm and Conflict Sensitivity

Conflict sensitivity refers to the level of awareness of the intended input which could have intended/ unintended impacts on the project, the actors, the environment, etc. Do No Harm is a guiding principle in development work to minimize the unintended and adverse effects of development work.

Knowing the actors in a conflict or any scenario and acknowledging the power dynamics between them and yourself (or amongst themselves) is paramount to taking the appropriate course of actions in order to boost/ retain the dignity of every actor as well as reduce the chances of escalating the negative impacts that some engagements might cause.

3. Identify Potential Allies and Foes

In any form of development work it is most important to identify:

•  The actors who are for the same course as you (potential allies you can work together to achieve your peacebuilding goals).
• The actors who may view your work as threat to their well-being or livelihoods (these are the actors who might thwart your peacebuilding efforts directly on indirectly)

4. Identify External Actors/ Factors that have an Impact on your work

Peace work and development work are affected by more than the immediate actors or environmental factors.

An Actors Mapping exercise should help the development worker, peacebuilder, project manager, peace and conflict consultant or program managers visualize:

• Potential external actors (national government, international governments, treaties, funding agencies’ and their policies, etc.) whose minor or major changes might impact on the provision of goods/ services to the conflict-affected actors. Such changes may also affect (boost or curtail) the implementation of the peace/ development work
• Closely related external concepts that may affect the attitude or behaviour of some actors, hence affects the course of peace/ development work. This may include the political climate as well as natural occurrences/ disasters.

5. Look out for the welfare of the development worker

Let no one assume that you are everyone’s favourite just because you are working for peace or bringing development to a community.

It is important to understand privileges, stereotypes, and power dynamics.

You need to know what you are walking into or how your being (whatever nationality / ethnicity/ sex/ background/ race) may make you a target.

Kindly note that whereas you may not be able to alter your natural privileges like race, sex, ethnicity, etc. being aware of how these might be received by others (especially the actors in your field of work) should help you adjust your behaviour accordingly (only if it makes a difference).

Dangers of Skipping the Actors Mapping Process

1. Without a clear understanding of who the actors in a conflict context are or what their role in the (de)escalation of conflict is, peace workers / development workers, project managers and or peace and conflict consultants run the risk of under-estimating or over-estimating the power of some actors. Over or under-estimating some actors may not only inhibit the project from achieving its goal, but also fuel/ escalate the conflicts.

 Interventions could backfire if the peace worker/ development worker ignores or (dis-engages some actors who might be held in high esteem in their communities.

For instance, if a development worker ignores some actors, who the other actors identify with, the remaining actors may refuse to cooperate with the peacebuilder as they may assume that they may also be deemed dispensable at some point and, hence, ignored. The Swahili saying “ukiona mwenzako anyolewa, kitie chako maji” (in a tradition where mass head-shaving was common, the person next in-line would wet his/ her head as soon as the person before him/ her was getting his/ her shaving), holds true for all actors.

People expect the things that happen to the people they identify with to happen to them. Conflict actors judge the peacebuilder/ development worker by his/ her engagement with the other actors.

What are your thoughts on Actors Mapping?

The post 5 Reasons Why Development Work MUST Start with Actors/ Stakeholder Mapping appeared first on Development Work, Conflict Transformation, and PeaceBuilding... Informed Capacity Development for Diverse Stakeholders.

Conflict Analysis is the process of scrutinizing the different variables in a conflict in order to understand the conflict, hence device a working/ sustainable intervention peace plan.

Conflicts have multiple elements which is why a scrutiny of each of the variables is necessary prior to an intervention.

How Do Varying Conflict Elements Shape a Conflict?

Conflicts have multiple elements/ variables that influence how the conflicts progress over time.

These variables, also, hold the secret as to how such conflicts can be approached and de-escalated/ managed/ solved.

Key Conflict Variables Important in a Conflict Analysis

The following comprise some of the conflict variables that a development worker/ project officer/ program manager/ peace and conflict consultant should look into when doing Conflict Analysis as they (the variables) will, in one way or another, influence his/ her decisions on how to proceed.

• Conflict issues: These refer to the  polarizing issues or the focus issues underlying violence. Different organizations have different definitions. As such, it is important for development workers and peace organizations to clarify their working definition of what ‘conflict issues’ mean to them.
• Actors: The people who play a direct/ indirect role in the escalation/ de-escalation of a conflict, as well as the people who are directly/ indirectly affected by the conflict. Actors Mapping Tool is one the best tools of identifying actors as well a their relationships.
• Stakeholders: Actors, institutions, agencies, etc. working for or against the course/ field that seeks to solve the conflict. The processing of this information is done in a Stakeholders’ Analysis process.
• The relationships between the conflict actors. It is not sufficient for peace workers to know who the peace actors are; it is paramount to understand the relationship between these actors. Development workers and program officers in the Peace and Conflict Field need to understand the relationship between actors for multiple reasons. Here is an detailed  post that goes into these multiple reasons : 5 reasons why every intervention must start with an actors mapping.
  
• The relationships between the different stakeholders
• External Dynamics: Political climate, natural occurrences (drought, floods, etc.), funding policies (shrinking spaces), etc.
• Time: The history of the escalation/ de-escalation of the conflict in question, etc.

Conflict Analysis: End Product or Means to an End?

Conflict Analysis is NOT an end product in itself.

Understanding a conflict is usually part of a process that informs the decision by a peacebuilder, development worker, project manager, peace and conflict consultant or program coordinators to plan / strategize an intervention that will have maximum positive impact and minimum negative effects.

Conflict Analysis is a Conflict Sensitivity measure in its own right. Read this post (conflict sensitivity) to gain more insight into what Conflict Sensitivity is, and why it is the one most important thing that peace workers, development workers, project managers, program coordinators or peace and conflict consultants should always have at the back of their minds when planning or implementing peace projects. Development workers also need to look out for their own welfare.

Why Should You Do Conflict Analysis?

Please click on Next Page to read more on:

• • Why you need to conduct a conflict analysis
  • How to conduct a conflict analysis and which tools you can use
  • Examples of Conflict Analysis Tools
  • How to carry our a Conflict Sensitivity and which tools to use

The post Context Assessment and Analysis in Development Work: Understanding Conflict Variables and Process appeared first on Development Work, Conflict Transformation, and PeaceBuilding... Informed Capacity Development for Diverse Stakeholders.

Whereas there is some confusion on how to categorize peacebuilding, it can be agreed to be

“an undertaking that involves multiple engagements by multiple actors/ stakeholders towards sustainable peace”

(Read below for a more concrete definition of peacebuilding).

There is quite some confusion as to whether peacebuilding/ peace work and conflict transformation is a one-off activity or a process.

The confusion revolves around:

1. The agreement on the definitions of terms
2. The fact that the peacebuilding wheel must be set in motion by events that may not, at the time, seem directly related to peacebuilding
3. The fact that the results (output) of all the events/ activities ought to (are expected to) contribute towards the long term goals of a peaceful community/ sustainable peace. The fact of the matter here is: it’s not always the case that activities’ output contribute towards the long term envisioned peace goals. At times, the end term goal of relatively improved peaceful conditions cannot be exclusively pinned on the activities that were implemented.

Still confused as to whether peacebuilding is a process or activity? Let’s take this one step at a time

What is peacebuilding?

An overarching definition of peacebuilding from a list of Authorities in the Peacebuilding field, including the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, Lederach, Galtung and the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University among others is:

“methods and resources (activities, events, processes, efforts, etc.) that are geared towards:

• the prevention of violent conflict
• relapse into violent conflict
• the building of physical, social and institutional structures that address conflicts
• behaviour change aimed at reducing conflict causes”

Please read the selected definitions of peacebuilding by the Alliance for Peacebuilding here.

The definition of peacebuilding is explored by the following Authorities:

• United Nations: Peacebuilding Support Office
• United Nations Development Program
• United States Institute of Peace
• School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University
• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
• Lederach, John Paul
• Galtung, Johan

Why is Peacebuilding Complex?

• The variables in community processes and peacebuilding are numerous
• Variables influenced by emotions and deep-rooted aspects such as beliefs, cultural attachments, identity, etc. are the hardest to address
• Behaviour change must emanate from the people/ community in focus, not necessarily the change agent
• Ownership of ‘peacebuilding efforts’ is key to their success and sustainability of relative peace. The more control the actors in a conflict situation feel (from being involved in providing a solution to their conflicts) the higher their chances of finding a lasting solution as they feel they own the process.

What should development workers do to increase the success of peacebuilding projects?

• Start from a point of Conflict Analysis. It:
  
  • Helps you understand the conflict situation
  • Helps you understand the actors
  • Helps you understand the actors’ relationships
  • Helps you understand key elements
    • What you can change
    • What you can’t change
    • How you should deliver your mandate
    • How and where to engage which conflict actors/ stakeholders
  • 
  • Acknowledge that the actors/ community have resources they can use towards peacebuilding.
    • Sensitize the community on your not being their savior so as to manage expectations and not create dependency
    • Sensitize the community (help them realize/ identify their resources on their resources – how best they can use the same
  • 
  • Acknowledge that peacebuilding, as with other community processes that  move towards behaviour and attitude change, is a process.

NOTE:

Peacebuilding is a process that incorporates individual activities and efforts towards one goal; peace.

No amount of rushed planning, budget restrictions, or pressure can move the peacebuilding process faster than it can naturally move. Unnecessary pressure may undo the good work or escalate the conflict.

The entire process should be conflict sensitive; assess intended/ unintended impacts of a peace project and put measures in place to minimize negative impacts while maximizing positive impact.

The post Is Development Work (Peacebuilding/ Conflict Transformation, Community Development…) : Process OR Activity??? appeared first on Development Work, Conflict Transformation, and PeaceBuilding... Informed Capacity Development for Diverse Stakeholders.

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