Community-Led Peacebuilding: Lessons from Riyom
What role did local communities play in transforming conflict into cooperation in Riyom?
Local communities were central to the transformation process. Through the Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) approach, community members became active partners in identifying the root causes of violence, analysing conflict dynamics, and designing solutions. By bringing together farmers, herders, traditional and religious leaders, women, young people, and other stakeholders, the process fostered dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective ownership of peacebuilding efforts. This helped shift relationships from suspicion and division to cooperation and joint problem-solving.
How can community-led peacebuilding models be replicated in other conflict-affected regions?
Community-led peacebuilding models can be replicated by ensuring that affected communities are not merely beneficiaries but the driving force behind the process. This requires investing in participatory approaches that value local knowledge, engaging diverse stakeholders, building trust through inclusive dialogue, and strengthening local capacities to analyse and address conflict. While every context is unique, the principles of local ownership, collaboration, evidence-based action, and sustained engagement can help communities develop solutions that are both relevant and sustainable.