What is System Analysis?

System analysis is the process of examining, modeling, and dissecting complex systems into their constituent parts to understand how they function. It involves studying the interrelationships between different elements within a system and identifying areas for improvement. System analysis can be applied to a wide range of contexts, from technology and business to community development.

Why is System Analysis Important?

1. Efficiency and Optimization

One of the primary reasons system analysis is crucial is its ability to optimize processes. By breaking down a system into its core components, we can identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and areas of inefficiency. This allows for targeted improvements that can significantly enhance efficiency and resource utilization.

2. Problem Identification

System analysis helps in identifying problems before they become critical. By thoroughly examining a system, we can uncover potential issues, risks, and vulnerabilities. This proactive approach enables organizations and communities to address problems early, reducing the likelihood of costly crises.

3. Resource Allocation

In both development and community work, resources are often limited. System analysis assists in the efficient allocation of resources. By understanding the most critical components of a system, organizations can allocate their resources where they will have the most significant impact.

How System Analysis Informs Programming

1. Designing Effective Solutions

In software development, system analysis guides the design of effective solutions. It helps developers understand the requirements and constraints of a system, enabling them to create software that aligns seamlessly with the system’s needs.

In development work, systemic analysis guides the development workers visualize and understand the interconnected of the different issues affecting the different communities, hence help these development workers develop relevant intervention strategies that would be effective and efficient while still achieving the desired results and incorporating inclusivity and Do No Harm.

2. Enhancing Community Engagement

In community work, system analysis can foster better engagement. Understanding the dynamics of a community system allows organizations to tailor their programs and initiatives to meet the specific needs and preferences of the community members, increasing participation and support.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, system analysis is the unsung hero behind efficient development and community work. Its ability to optimize processes, identify problems, and guide resource allocation makes it an indispensable tool for success. Moreover, system analysis serves as the foundation for informed programming, ensuring that solutions are designed with precision and community engagement is maximized. So, whether you’re a programmer, a community leader, or simply someone interested in making a positive impact, remember the power of system analysis in achieving your goals.

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Catalysts for Economic Growth:

Engaging women and youth can stimulate economic growth in war-torn regions. When provided with education and opportunities, they can become a skilled and productive workforce, contributing to economic development. This growth helps reduce poverty and instability, addressing root causes of conflict.

Inclusive Governance:

Including women and youth in governance processes promotes inclusivity and diversity, which can lead to more balanced decision-making. Their perspectives and experiences bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table, improving the effectiveness of policies and programs.

Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution:

Women and youth often bear the brunt of conflict, but they can also play pivotal roles in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. Their unique perspectives and grassroots connections can help build bridges, mediate disputes, and promote reconciliation in war-torn communities.

Education and Skill Development:

Providing education and skill development opportunities to young people, especially girls, can break cycles of poverty and conflict. When youth have access to quality education and vocational training, they become better equipped to contribute positively to society.

Gender Equality:

Empowering women in war-torn regions is not just a matter of equality; it’s a strategic imperative. When women have equal access to resources, education, and decision-making, societies tend to be more stable and prosperous. This empowerment can lead to reduced vulnerability to conflict.

Social Cohesion and Community Resilience:

Engaging youth in community activities and development projects helps strengthen social cohesion and build community resilience. When young people are involved in constructive activities, they are less likely to be recruited into armed groups or engage in violence.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Engaging women and youth aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Progress toward these goals is crucial for the long-term stability and prosperity of war-torn developing countries.

Conclusion:

Engaging women and youth in developing countries, especially those ravaged by war, is not just a matter of inclusivity; it’s a strategic imperative for peace and sustainable development. The examples provided highlight the multifaceted benefits of empowering these demographics, from economic growth and gender equality to peacebuilding and community resilience. To unlock the full potential of these regions, policymakers and organizations must prioritize the active involvement of women and youth in their efforts.

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1. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): UNDP is a United Nations agency that provides funding and resources for sustainable development projects worldwide.
2. World Bank: The World Bank offers financial and technical assistance for various development projects, focusing on poverty reduction and economic development.
3. International Monetary Fund (IMF): While primarily known for economic stability and monetary cooperation, the IMF also supports development initiatives, especially in low-income countries.
4. United States Agency for International Development (USAID): USAID is the U.S. government’s primary agency for providing foreign assistance, including development programs in health, education, and economic growth.
5. European Union (EU) Development Cooperation: The EU funds a wide range of development projects in partner countries, emphasizing poverty reduction, sustainable development, and human rights. Along with EU is  GIZ
6. NRC- Norwegian Refugee Council; Assists in multiple contexts of displacement from refugees to internally displaced persons and host communities
7. Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB finances projects and programs that promote economic and social progress in Asia and the Pacific region.
8. African Development Bank (AfDB): AfDB supports economic development and social progress in African countries through funding and technical expertise.
9. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: This private foundation focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education, providing substantial funding for development initiatives.
10. Ford Foundation: The Ford Foundation supports projects that address inequality and promote social justice worldwide, including initiatives in education, human rights, and economic development.
11. Rockefeller Foundation: This foundation invests in projects related to health, resilience, and economic development, with a focus on improving the well-being of humanity.

Please note that the availability of funding and specific focus areas may change over time, so it’s essential to check the latest information on each organization’s website for the most up-to-date details.

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In the ever-evolving landscape of international development, innovative approaches are essential to addressing complex global challenges effectively. Two such approaches that have gained significant traction in recent years are Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA) and co-creation. These methodologies emphasize the importance of partnership, collaboration, and adaptive management in development work, ultimately leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes. Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA) Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA) is a dynamic and flexible approach that focuses on learning from experiences and using that knowledge to adapt and improve development projects continually. It involves a range of stakeholders, including donors, NGOs, local communities, and beneficiaries, working together to co-create solutions and adjust strategies based on real-time feedback and insights. CLA goes beyond the traditional linear project management approach, where plans are set in stone and rarely deviated from. Instead, it acknowledges the complexity of development challenges and the need for constant learning and adaptation.   Here are some key principles of CLA: 1.    Engagement with Stakeholders: CLA encourages active engagement with all stakeholders, recognizing that each brings unique perspectives and insights to the table. This inclusivity fosters a more holistic understanding of the problem at hand. 2.    Flexibility and Adaptation: Unlike rigid project plans, CLA allows for flexibility and adaptation in response to changing circumstances. It promotes the idea that adaptation is not a sign of failure but an integral part of the development process. 3.    Continuous Learning: Learning is at the core of CLA. It encourages regular reflection and the use of data and feedback to inform decision-making. This approach ensures that projects remain relevant and effective. Co-Creation in Development Co-creation, on the other hand, is a process that involves multiple stakeholders, including beneficiaries, in jointly designing, implementing, and assessing development interventions. It recognizes that communities and individuals affected by development projects have valuable knowledge and insights that can significantly contribute to the success of these initiatives. Here are some key principles of co-creation: ·      Local Empowerment: Co-creation empowers local communities by giving them a voice and agency in shaping the development projects that affect them. This not only leads to better outcomes but also promotes ownership and sustainability. ·      Diverse Perspectives: Co-creation brings together a diverse range of perspectives, skills, and knowledge. This diversity often leads to more innovative and context-specific solutions to development challenges. Shared Responsibility: In co-creation, responsibility for the success of a project is shared among all stakeholders. This collaborative approach builds trust and fosters long-term partnerships. CLA and Co-Creation in Harmony While CLA and co-creation are distinct approaches, they complement each other remarkably well. When combined, they create a powerful framework for development work that is both adaptive and inclusive. Here’s how they work in harmony: Continuous Improvement: CLA’s emphasis on learning and adaptation aligns perfectly with the co-creation process. By involving beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the learning and adaptation process, development initiatives become more responsive to real needs and challenges. Community-Centric Solutions: Co-creation ensures that development projects are rooted in the local context and driven by the priorities and aspirations of the community. CLA allows for the ongoing adjustment of strategies based on the feedback and insights generated through this collaborative process. Sustainability: The collaborative and adaptive nature of CLA and co-creation promotes project sustainability. When communities are engaged in decision-making and problem-solving, they are more likely to take ownership of the initiatives and ensure their continued success. Conclusion In an era of increasing complexity and uncertainty, the use of Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA) and co-creation in development work is a strategic choice. These approaches enable development organizations to harness the collective wisdom of diverse stakeholders, adapt to changing circumstances, and, most importantly, create more sustainable and impactful solutions to the world’s pressing challenges. By combining the principles of CLA and co-creation, development practitioners can work together with communities to co-create a better future for all.

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People Volunteering

CSOs often rely on volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to various development projects. These volunteers can be found working on initiatives like education programs, healthcare services, or community development projects. Their contributions help bridge gaps in services and resources.

Community Meeting

CDIs

CSOs are essential in facilitating community engagement and empowerment. They organize community meetings, workshops, and forums where residents can voice their concerns, share ideas, and participate in decision-making processes. This participatory approach ensures that development initiatives align with local needs and preferences.

Microfinance Group

CSOs often support economic development by providing microfinance services and training to small entrepreneurs and marginalized communities. They help individuals and groups access capital, learn financial literacy, and develop sustainable livelihoods, ultimately reducing poverty and promoting economic growth.

Advocacy Rally

CSOs frequently engage in advocacy and lobbying efforts to influence policies and advocate for marginalized groups. They organize rallies, campaigns, and public awareness events to raise awareness about issues such as gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Their advocacy work can lead to policy changes that benefit society as a whole.

Disaster Relief

In times of natural disasters or humanitarian crises, CSOs often play a critical role in providing immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance. They mobilize resources, volunteers, and expertise to respond swiftly to emergencies, offering food, shelter, healthcare, and other essential services to affected communities.

Education Program

CSOs are instrumental in promoting education and literacy. They establish schools, libraries, and scholarship programs, especially in underserved areas. By improving access to quality education, CSOs empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty and contribute to their community’s development.

Environmental Conservation

Many CSOs are dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. They work on projects related to reforestation, clean energy, and wildlife protection. Their efforts contribute to preserving natural resources and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Health Clinic

CSOs often run health clinics and awareness campaigns in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. They provide healthcare services, conduct disease prevention initiatives, and educate communities about health practices, leading to improved well-being and reduced mortality rates.

Networking

CSOs often collaborate with other stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and international organizations, to maximize their impact. They build networks and partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and best practices, ensuring a more coordinated and effective approach to development.

In summary, civil society organizations are instrumental in driving positive change and development across various sectors. They facilitate community participation, provide essential services, advocate for marginalized groups, and work towards sustainable development goals, making them indispensable partners in the quest for a better world.

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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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Project Cycle

In the realm of development work, the term “Project Cycle” serves as a fundamental framework for achieving successful outcomes. It’s a structured approach that guides development practitioners through the various stages of planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of the project cycle, exploring each phase in detail and providing valuable insights for effective project management. To make this journey more engaging, we’ll complement our discussion with five visually compelling images.

Project Cycle Phases

Image 1: A Roadmap to Success

Phase 1: Identification and Planning

The project cycle kicks off with the identification and planning phase. During this stage, development organizations identify the problem or need that requires attention. This phase includes a thorough analysis of the issue, feasibility studies, and stakeholder engagement. The output is a comprehensive project plan that outlines the project’s objectives, scope, timeline, and budget.

Image 2: Brainstorming and Problem Analysis

Phase 2: Implementation

With a solid plan in place, it’s time to move into the implementation phase. This is where the project team puts the plan into action, allocating resources, and carrying out the planned activities. Effective communication and coordination are crucial during this phase to ensure that the project stays on track.

Image 3: Team Collaboration

Phase 3: Monitoring and Evaluation

To ensure that the project is on the right track and delivering the intended impact, the monitoring and evaluation phase is essential. This phase involves continuous assessment, data collection, and analysis of project progress. If any issues or deviations are identified, adjustments can be made to improve project outcomes.

Image 4: Data Analysis

Phase 4: Reporting and Documentation

Clear and transparent reporting is a key component of the project cycle. During this phase, project results and achievements are documented and shared with stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, and the community. This helps build trust and accountability.

Image 5: Sharing Success

Conclusion

In the world of development work, the project cycle is not merely a theoretical framework; it’s a roadmap to success. By following the structured approach of identification, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, development organizations can maximize their impact and make a positive difference in the lives of the communities they serve. Remember, each phase is interconnected, and the lessons learned from one phase can inform and improve the next.

Whether you are a seasoned development practitioner or someone interested in making a difference, understanding and mastering the project cycle is a valuable skill. It ensures that your efforts are well-coordinated, effective, and sustainable, ultimately leading to the successful realization of your development goals.

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The growth of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Sudan has been a notable development in the country’s recent history, particularly in the wake of the Sudanese Revolution in 2018-2019, which led to the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir. Sudanese CSOs have played a crucial role in advocating for political and social change, promoting human rights, and addressing various societal challenges. However, they have also faced significant challenges along the way. Growth of Sudanese Civil Society Organizations: Post-Revolutionary Momentum: The Sudanese Revolution in 2018-2019 created a conducive environment for the growth of CSOs. As the authoritarian regime was dismantled, civil society actors emerged with newfound freedom to operate. Advocacy for Democratic Reforms: Sudanese CSOs have been at the forefront of advocating for democratic reforms, including the establishment of transitional governments and the drafting of a new constitution. They have played a key role in ensuring that the demands of the revolution are met. Human Rights and Justice: Many CSOs in Sudan are dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. They have been actively documenting human rights abuses, advocating for justice, and providing support to victims of violence. Social Services: Some CSOs in Sudan have focused on providing essential social services, such as healthcare, education, and support for vulnerable populations. These organizations have filled gaps left by the previous regime’s neglect. Challenges Faced by Sudanese CSOs: Security Concerns: CSOs in Sudan often face threats, harassment, and violence, especially when they are critical of government policies or expose human rights abuses. These security concerns can hinder their operations and put staff at risk. Resource Constraints: Many CSOs in Sudan operate on limited budgets and struggle to secure funding for their activities. This can limit their ability to carry out programs effectively and sustain their operations. Legal and Regulatory Hurdles: Sudan has a history of restrictive laws governing civil society organizations. While there have been efforts to reform these laws, bureaucratic red tape and legal challenges can still impede the registration and operation of CSOs. Fragmentation: The CSO landscape in Sudan is fragmented, with numerous organizations operating independently. This can sometimes lead to duplication of efforts and a lack of coordination in addressing pressing issues. Political Instability: Sudan has experienced political instability in the post-revolution period, with shifting alliances and power struggles among various political groups. This instability can affect the operating environment for CSOs. Capacity Building/ Capacity Development: Many CSOs in Sudan face challenges in terms of organizational capacity and leadership development. Building the skills and expertise necessary to effectively address complex issues is an ongoing challenge. Access to Information: Despite improved conditions, access to information can still be restricted in Sudan, making it difficult for CSOs to gather accurate data and evidence to support their advocacy and programs. Conclusion In conclusion, Sudanese Civil Society Organizations have grown significantly in the aftermath of the Sudanese Revolution, playing a vital role in advocating for democratic reforms, human rights, and social development. However, they continue to face various challenges, including security threats, resource constraints, legal obstacles, and political instability. Overcoming these challenges and strengthening the capacity of CSOs will be essential for sustaining their positive contributions to Sudanese society.

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What are Participatory Community Processes In the realm of sustainable development, the concept of participatory community processes stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. These processes are not just buzzwords; they represent a fundamental shift in the way we approach development work. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what participatory community processes look like and why they are crucial for impactful and sustainable development. Understanding Participatory Community Processes Participatory community processes, often abbreviated as PCPs, encompass a set of principles, methodologies, and practices that prioritize community engagement, empowerment, and inclusivity in decision-making and project implementation. They are the antithesis of traditional top-down approaches, where experts or external entities dictate solutions without considering the voices and needs of the community members.   How do participatory community processes look like in action?   Below are some of the ways in which participatory community processes look like 1.      Inclusivity: At the heart of PCPs is the idea that every community member has a valuable perspective to offer. In these processes, everyone is invited to the table, irrespective of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or other factors. Inclusivity ensures that no one’s voice is left unheard. 2.      Shared Decision-Making: PCPs emphasize shared decision-making, where community members actively participate in defining their development goals, strategies, and priorities. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.             3.      Local Knowledge and Expertise: Rather than relying solely on external expertise, PCPs recognize the importance of local knowledge and expertise. Community members are considered experts in their own context, and their insights are valued and integrated into project design and implementation. 4.      Capacity Building/ Capacity Development: PCPs focus on building the capacity of community members to understand and manage their own development processes. This empowers individuals and communities to take charge of their own destinies.     Why do Participatory Community Processes Matter? 1.      Sustainability: When communities actively participate in decision-making and project implementation, they are more likely to take ownership of the outcomes. This sense of ownership leads to long-term sustainability as communities are invested in the success of the projects. 2.      Contextual Relevance: PCPs ensure that development initiatives are tailored to the unique context and needs of each community. This means that solutions are more likely to be effective because they are informed by local perspectives and realities. 3.      Empowerment: By involving community members in the decision-making process, PCPs empower individuals and communities to advocate for their rights and interests. This empowerment extends beyond the specific project and can lead to broader social and political change. 4.      Social Cohesion: Participatory processes often foster greater social cohesion within communities. As people work together to address common challenges, they build trust and strengthen social bonds, which can have positive ripple effects throughout the community. 5.      Accountability: PCPs encourage transparency and accountability in development work. When communities are actively engaged, they can hold both external organizations and local leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. Conclusion Participatory community processes are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a guiding philosophy that recognizes the importance of community ownership, empowerment, and inclusivity in sustainable development. They represent a paradigm shift from traditional development approaches, and their significance cannot be overstated. As we continue to tackle the complex challenges of our time, let us remember that the power to create impactful and sustainable change lies within the communities themselves. By embracing participatory community processes, we can unlock this potential and work towards a more just and equitable world for all.

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Understanding CDI – Community Driven Initiatives 

Community-driven initiatives, or CDIs, embody the essence of sustainable development. These grassroots movements are marked by their commitment to:

Local Empowerment/ Capacity Development/ Capacity-building for local stakehoders

CDIs empower communities to take charge of their own destinies. They offer a platform for community members to voice their concerns, ideas, and aspirations.

Inclusivity:

CDIs welcome diverse perspectives and ensure that marginalized voices are heard. This inclusivity is a cornerstone of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tailored Solutions:

Recognizing the uniqueness of every community, CDIs craft solutions that fit the local context. This bespoke approach increases the likelihood of success.

Sustainability:

CDIs prioritize long-term sustainability. By tapping into local resources and expertise, they create self-sustaining solutions that outlive initial interventions.

The Vital Role of CDIs in Sustainable Development

Community-driven initiatives are instrumental in steering the course toward sustainable development. Here’s why they are indispensable:

1. Empowerment and Inclusivity

CDIs empower marginalized and vulnerable communities, offering them a platform to be heard. This ensures that development efforts are equitable and inclusive.

2. Tailored Solutions

Every community is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. CDIs ensure that solutions are custom-tailored to address the specific needs of each community.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

CDIs encourage communities to share knowledge and skills. As they learn from each other’s experiences, they build valuable capacities that can be applied to a variety of development challenges.

4. Sustainability

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for CDIs; it’s a way of life. By engaging communities in decision-making and implementation, CDIs foster a sense of ownership and responsibility that ensures long-term success.

5. Strengthening Social Capital

Community-driven initiatives strengthen social bonds and trust within communities. These ties are essential for collective action and resilience, two key components of sustainable development.

How CDIs Inform Programming for Sustainable Development

To unlock the full potential of sustainable development, programs must be guided by the principles and lessons of community-driven initiatives. Here’s how this synergy can be realized:

1. Collaborative Planning

Programs should engage communities from the outset. Collaborative planning ensures that program goals and strategies align with the community’s needs and aspirations.

2. Capacity Building

Investing in the capacity building of community members equips them with the skills and knowledge required to actively participate in development efforts. Training in project management, leadership, and technical skills can be transformative.

3. Resource Mobilization

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

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Continuous monitoring and evaluation of CDIs and programs are essential for measuring progress and ensuring accountability. Communities should play an active role in this process to maintain transparency and trust.

5. Scaling Successful CDIs

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

Conclusion

development work’s success largely depends on the extent to which the communities are engaged and allowed to steer their own development.

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The Historical Evolution of Subawards

The concept of subawards has a rich historical backdrop. It traces its roots back to the early days of grant funding when organizations receiving substantial grants realized the need for additional expertise and resources. To address this challenge, subawards were introduced, allowing primary grant recipients to collaborate with other organizations, such as nonprofits, universities, or research institutions, to ensure the success of their projects.

Reasons Behind Subawards

Expertise and Capacity:

Subawards enable funding agencies to tap into specialized expertise and resources of other organizations. This is particularly beneficial when the primary recipient lacks certain skills, facilities, or resources required for specific project components.

Geographic Reach:

Subawards help expand the geographic reach of projects. Funding agencies can partner with organizations operating in different regions or countries, ensuring their initiatives have a wider impact.

Collaboration and Innovation:

Collaboration is a driving force behind subawards. Partnering with multiple organizations fosters the exchange of ideas, cross-pollination of innovative approaches, and ultimately leads to better project outcomes.

Pros for the Funding Agency

Risk Mitigation:

Subawards allow funding agencies to distribute risk by involving multiple organizations in project execution. If one subrecipient encounters challenges, the primary agency can still ensure project success.

Access to Expertise:

Funding agencies can access specialized expertise through subrecipients, enhancing project quality and effectiveness, especially in complex, multidisciplinary endeavors.

Efficient Resource Allocation:

Subawards enable funding agencies to allocate resources more efficiently, directing funds to specific project aspects while leveraging the strengths of subrecipients for others.

Cons for the Funding Agency

Administrative Burden:

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

Coordination Challenges:

Ensuring seamless collaboration among multiple subrecipients can be challenging due to differing organizational cultures, procedures, and priorities.

Accountability:

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

Pros 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:

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, leading to potential future partnerships and enhanced credibility within the sector.

Cons 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 for subrecipients.

Risk of Overextension:

Taking on multiple subawards simultaneously can strain organizational resources and capacity, potentially compromising project quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, subawards are a powerful tool in grant funding, offering a means to leverage expertise, expand reach, and foster collaboration. While they come with their set of challenges, effective planning, coordination, and management can help ensure that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. As grant funding continues to evolve, understanding and mastering the concept of subawards will remain a valuable skill for both funding agencies and organizations striving to make a difference in their fields.

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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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Understanding “Do No Harm” in Development Work

Image 1: Community Engagement

At its core, “Do No Harm” calls for a deep understanding of the communities we seek to assist. It’s not enough to have good intentions; we must actively engage with the local context. Whether it’s a rural farming community or an urban settlement, understanding the unique social, economic, and cultural factors is crucial.

Preventing Harmful Outcomes

Image 2: Environmental Impact

One of the fundamental aspects of “Do No Harm” is the prevention of negative consequences. Development projects must avoid exacerbating existing problems, such as environmental degradation or social tensions. By conducting thorough risk assessments and adapting strategies, we can minimize harm while maximizing positive outcomes.

Empowering Local Communities

Image 3: Local Empowerment

Empowering local communities is a cornerstone of “Do No Harm.” Rather than imposing solutions from the outside, development practitioners collaborate with local stakeholders. By involving them in decision-making processes and building their capacity, we ensure that the benefits of development are sustainable and driven by the community itself.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Image 4: Adaptability

In the dynamic world of development, adaptability is key. “Do No Harm” acknowledges that challenges and trade-offs are inevitable. Practitioners must remain flexible and responsive to changing circumstances, adjusting strategies to avoid unintended harm and enhance positive impacts.

Conclusion: Navigating the Path of Ethical Development

In the realm of development work, the principle of “Do No Harm” reminds us that while our intentions may be noble, our actions must align with ethical responsibility. By deeply understanding local contexts, preventing harm, empowering communities, and remaining adaptable, we can strike the right balance between compassion and caution. This, ultimately, is the path to ethical, effective, and sustainable development.

As development practitioners, we bear the profound responsibility of shaping a better world. Through the lens of “Do No Harm,” we can walk that path with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to leaving a positive legacy for generations to come.

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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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It takes awareness, that must come from intentional assessment of the current statusquo (social, political, economic, etc.) and the capacity gaps and needs of the different stakeholders/ actors in a community.  Capacity development or the planned capacity-building then focuses on equipping the relevant stakeholders/ actors (be they civil society organisations -CSOs – of any level) with the capacities (knowledge, skills, funding, etc.) they require to address the community needs that need addressing inclusivity, development, gender, poverty-eradication, among a myriad of community needs that the global context is focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Capacity Development / Capacity Building Resources’ Post:

In this post, I share the resources/ training materials for the training topics whose knowledge, skills, expertise and experience I have, and which I have trained hundreds of participants in different communities on. The post is relevant for:

• The hundreds of participants from the different social-statuses and different parts of Kenya (government officials, members of different CSOs and social structures addressing a number of community issues for cohesion-building, etc.) through
• Anyone else who is interested in the diverse content I have shared here

The content (list is further below) ranges from context assessment and analysis of data from community processes to inform relevant development, inclusivity, gender, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and organizational development among other topics, to planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting of community engagements.

Capacity Development/ Capacity-Building

The knowledge and skills in this post is aimed at equipping the different stakeholders with the tools they require for meaningful community engagement; maximising on positive benefits while also keeping an eye to minimize negative impacts (that is where conflict sensitivity and other tools such as Do No Harm, and Force Field Analysis come into place.

Capacity Development/ Capacity-Building is a conscious effort that requires the engagement of all relevant stakeholders and inclusivity that ensures even the marginalized groups in any society are present/ represented or considered before, during and after community engagements.

To my worthy Trainees:

Dear participants,

I am Margaret Wambui Njuguna (I indicate my full name since each of you referenced me by the name you felt most comfortable to address me), I have been your trainer for multiple topics over 3 – 5 intense days where we interacted and learnt from each other, engaged with each other in highly participatory formats, had fun during role-plays and interactions during breaks and meal times, and planned together.

Allow me to thank you each and everyone of you in your capacities and roles in your communities for welcoming me to your counties and being my diligent trainees throughout the training. Allow me to acknowledge you  from the different subcounties and locations in the following counties:

• Nyeri
• Nairobi
• Kiambu
• Kitui
• Machakos
• Mombasa
• Kilifi
• Kisumu
• Nandi
• Uasin Gishu
• Nakuru
• Narok

As promised, here are the resources (hover on the topic and click on it to get access to the materials on the topic) or refer to the handouts we shared with you.

• • Context Assessment/ Conflict Analysis
    • Conflict Tree
    • Actors’ / Stakeholders’ Mapping
    • Systemic Analysis
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (with focus on Mediation)
  • Diversity and it’s role in community processes
  • Participatory Community Processes
  • Conflict Sensitivity and relevant tools
  • Do No harm
  • Gender
  • Understanding Project Cycle: Project Planning, Budgeting, Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, adherence to donor/ funder guidelines, inclusivity (gender, diversity, youth, etc…), and focus on sustainability (achieving lasting impact)
  • Personalities and Self-Awareness – Mental Health

Feel free to explore the rest of this website for the rich-in-content posts

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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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Let’s look at the role of Technology, specifically Social Media and Online Platforms, in fueling GBV during COVID-19 period. Let’s not be quick to believe that not everyone is on Social Media or using Online platforms but remember that the simpler and more available technology such as WhatsApp and analogue phones are available for a significant percentage of the world’s population. Even in some of the rural areas, there will be at least one person who has WhatsApp on his/her phone; at least a simple phone that can send/ messages or broadcast at least one local radio/ TV station; at least some form print media (old or current).

Wondering what the connection between Social Media/ Online Platforms and Old/ Traditional Media is?

Whether we like it or not, acknowledge it or not, Social Media and Online Platforms are the main media and the most preferred platform for news, interaction, recreation/ entertainment, work, etc. today, thanks to COVID-19 and the social distancing measures that have made these platforms a necessity rather than a part-time luxury. Even people who were not previously online, or they had minimal time to spend online, are discovering and using one form of online platform or another for different things. Even as some people only trust and use a few platforms, other platforms can still make enough noise to catch the attention of the trusted media.

Understanding Technology

Simple Texting technology (SMS), phone calls, email services, Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, Reddit, Stumbleupon -Mix-, Tumbr), Websites, Blogs, Vlogs, YouTube, Vimeo Viusasa, Mainstream TV and Radio Media (CNN, BBC, Aljazeera, NTV, DW, Citizen, KTN…), etc. deliver content faster, and to more people, than traditional print or mailing system. This means that as many people as those who access content on any one platform can circulate it as fast to more people. Social Media platforms make it easier to grow the magnitude of any content through ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘retweet’, ‘copy-paste’, screenshot, corruption of content through meme/ joke creation, and the ‘forward’ feature. WhatsApp carries the day with ‘forwarded messages’; content is picked from any platform and forwarded without much effort. This real-time sharing elicits real-time reactions and hype.

Ever wondered why you visited an online platform (YouTube, Google, Yahoo, email provider, etc.) and there are News you could care less about and you wonder “why am I seeing this”? or “why is this recommended to me?” Wonder no more. Remember when I mentioned how content is shared from platform to platform, well Search Engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.) pick up on the trending keyword and they provide information related to that keyword to Internet users across the globe. As such, any person of any social status will be presented with the trending topics whether those topics/ keywords are relevant to him or not.

Social Media Virality: Going Viral

The virality (going viral means spreading quickly and rapidly across multiple platforms from a single source) feature of content, thanks to Social Media and Online Platforms, translates to publicity that wasn’t anticipated and so are the impacts of such content. Content (comprehensive or captions, facts or fake) that is published/ captured on one platform can be spread across multiple platforms (as is, or with edits) as people share, screenshot, make memes, etc. of that content.

Impacts of Going Viral

The Upside of Going Viral

Going viral is a good thing for brands that are looking for publicity or for good courses (such as the small white boy waiting at the doorstep to give snacks to his best friends the black men who operate a ‘garbage truck”. In Kenya, a few weeks ago, a 4-year-old girl child was captured in a beautiful photo in her rural setting. The photo had a few social media users ‘liking/ loving’ the photo and sharing it with their friends. A few days later, the photo was trending, and people started tagging Coca Cola to make the girl an Ambassador of Coca Cola (probably pressurizing the big company to take a specific course- as happens in other cases). Suffice to say, the photo (and edited versions of it) made enough rounds on the online platform that it was picked up by mainstream radio and TV platforms and now she (and her parents and grandparents) are being quoted on the national recommendations of how to engage and take care of children during COVID-19.

Going viral is also great for seeking social justice; a single voice may not on one small platform but if the issue goes viral, the whole world learns about and it could birth massive support or revolutions. The George Floyd murder may have been the death of one person, but having been picked by multiple platforms, a significant percentage of the global population is not just aware of it but also making changes. Deeper issues are being addressed.

The Downside of Going Viral

Going viral can be a nightmare for individuals, groups or people and a wider society. Simple mistakes, wrong captions, wrong references, etc. can be brought to public light and with the publicity comes judgement and all forms of cyber-bullying. Cyber bullying, more often than not, spills over to real life as some ‘online’ bullies physically track the victims or attack other people in their sick versions of ‘avenging’ or ‘teaching the rest of the society’ a lesson on behalf of the victim. The going viral of a single thing can cause a social uprising.

The going viral of something has a way of influencing people in one way or another. While the public knowledge of something gets people more aware of it, the knowledge can enlighten and empower some sections of a society while disempowering another group. Different factions may crop up to defend themselves and fight the revealed information (which they deem makes them look bad), while others may cheer and enforce the message. Some people sit on the fence and use the now ‘factified’ stereotypes to take advantage of others when it suits them.

Using the gender lens on multiple platforms calls for looking at the platforms where gender issues are paraded instead of looking at the GBV causes (or potential solutions) only. It calls for seeing beyond the message; looking at the message at the face value, the intended meaning, and the context in which it is used, hence, how it is likely to be received and owned/disowned by the recipients.

As we use Online Platforms, let us be cautious of what we ‘share’ as that message may mean something different to the person(s) the message is shared with.

Socia Media and bloggers do not mince their words or ‘filter’ the message. Content (memes, jokes, captions, text, screenshots, etc.) reads as it is. It could have the most beautiful message in the world wrapped in strong words that would scare a person in first instance. Or it could be the most innocent-looking content with loaded hate-speech.

Social media and some blogging platform (especially gutter press that thrive on sensationalism) do not (most times) give the complete/ real message. They can share just a caption, and seeing that there are lots of those captions/ memes, etc., their users don’t always have the time, desire or curiosity to look for the entire message; they just believe or resent (depending on the way their personal perception of the message) and move on to the next story.

Abuse of and Dis-empowerment of Men: Done by women, fellow men, family, neighbors, communities, Institutions…

• Physically: Insult his physique (skin color, height, body build, race, etc.), masculinity, etc.
• Economically: Attack his past, present or perceived future financial situation and wealth, exploit his finances, exploit his skills, attack and derail his dreams, etc.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health: Insult his ‘performance/ prowess’, insult his siring only a certain number of children (none, too few, or too many), insult him by assuming his weakness based on the sex of his children (thump-chesting by people who have male children an insulting those who have female children), insult his socialization skills with women or other men (based on gender stereotypes), denial of conjugal rights, etc.
• Emotional: Control his socialization with successful or unsuccessful people, insult his family, insult his ‘dreams as grandiose or too small, insult him with being too good or too bad, insult his personality in the name of men should not be cowards, men shouldn’t listen to other men or women, men should be stubborn and unruly, etc.
• Spiritual: Insult his spiritual status as too much or too little, insult his choice of deity/ higher power, insult his decisions based on spirituality

Abuse of And Dis-empowerment of Women: Done by men, fellow women, family, neighbors, communities, Institutions…

The viral content on social media highly support or propose the following measures on how to dis-empower  women

• Physically: control her dressing (modest or exposed based on the perceived role), attack her physique, or hype her and then bring her down, physical abuse, etc.
• Economically: deny her skills’ acquisition, limit opportunities for her to use those skills, inject more distractions to ensure she doesn’t use her skills to the maximum (hence no growth, promotion, etc.), low/ no pay for same skills and jobs, reduce her to domestic chores (under-appreciated and un-paying), make her doubt her worth if she earns more or is trying to be economically stable, etc.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health: Define her success by her having a man in her life, blame her for all reproductive problems, sleep with her and then discredit her (discredit everything she is and does by ‘blaming her sexuality’), impregnate the ambitious woman to ‘contain’ her, believe you know her by being intimate with her, accuse her of getting ahead in life by sleeping with people in power/ or stepping on other women…
• Emotional: Control her social interaction (minimize of block it), discredit her publicly, label her ‘independent woman’ (a stereotype for taking advantage of her on every sphere without taking responsibility or giving back to her in any way), ‘discipline’ her using inhumane tactics (punish her like a child using insults, ghost, second-guess or man-splain), insist on making decisions for her in the name of ‘women need a firm hand and a leader), etc.
• Spiritual: Insist she is a lesser being, insist only men (or other women of different societal standings) are the deity and their opinion is more valid coming from them than her…
• Social stratification and discrimination/ adverse treatment by age, background, birth order, marital status, number of children, background, physique, financial status, sexuality, work, etc.

The Bigger Picture of Such Widely-Shared Messages

While these statements and mindsets may sound ‘normal/ okay’ or ‘ridiculous’, depending on each reader’s personal perception, and while we may think that people should know better and not be affected by such, they (statements) go around long and wide enough to shape the minds of young people, change the minds of adults, and reinforce stereotypes. Unfortunately, these ‘views/ perceptions’ may dictate (even to those who know better) how to behave to defend themselves or subdue others. Some people take these statements as recommendations (for future reference) on how to ‘deal with people based on their sex’ and whereas they may be wrong, their popularity will justify their implementation at the time. With time, these social media, non-serious messages, are made into many people’s reality.

How many times have we seen a battered or murdered woman and before anyone can investigate phrases like “these women deserve to die for ‘eating’ men’s money” or “she deserved to be cheated on/ thrown out, etc. because she is ‘empowered’”make the headlines.

How many times have men been gravely violated and the only thing that people focus on are phrases like “well, these men have been killing and abusing women for all eternity, it’s time they got a dose of their own medicine”.

People reinforce each others’ beliefs and practices whether good or bad, through the social media and online platforms where people have been thrown by the forced social distancing that’s been brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. When statements go around long and far enough, and those statement have thousands if not millions of reactions, some people are bound to believe them or at least take a side. Some people, in assuming that what is trending will automatically translate to reality, already start devising ways of countering such. In some instances, the ‘ways of dealing with stereotypes’ are good and practical, and in other cases, those measures create new/ improve abusive ways.

NB: The use of social Media and other Online platforms is addictive. An aspect that may contribute to the increasing GBV cases, in addition to the content itself, is the excessive times people are now using on the platforms instead of taking the time to do constructive things or help each other around the house. A situation in which a person doesn’t pull his/ her weight around others who are forced to take up his/ her roles because s/he is always on his/ her gadgets (not working or doing selfcare) while other people) will breed GBV at some point.

Potential Measures of Addressing GBV During COVID-19

• Embrace social media, online platforms and other unconventional media instead of vilifying the same every chance we get. These platforms are not going away any time soon; the more we attack these platforms, the more resistance we get. Besides, people find ways of making these platforms work for the greater good.
• In relation to point one above, we should tailor content that addresses GBV for these platform. Precise, Factual, Capturing (not sensationalized) titles and Images, etc.
• Using the Force Field Analysis Tool, Research and know the right audience, the right influencers, audience’s language, audience’s peak time on the specific platform, the invisible audience (the audience represented by your visible audience and the audience that supports/ opposes your audience in the sidelines), etc

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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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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?

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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

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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.

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