Peace and Security
Project Name:
Promoting Peace and Inclusive Development in Northeastern Kenya
Project Duration: 2024
Donor: UNDP
Link : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/semi-arid-resilience-network-771b03155_promotingpeaceprojectandinclussivedevelopment-activity-7263913912473899008-q_h0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Introduction
In partnership
with UNDP through the Peace Fund, the Social Accountability and Resilience
Network (SARN) has launched a project aimed at promoting peace and inclusive
development in the borderland counties of Northeastern Kenya. The project
adopts a consultative and inclusive approach, bringing together national and
county governments, civil society, communities, development partners, and other
stakeholders to collaboratively address the structural causes of conflicts in
Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties.
This initiative
focuses on inclusive governance, strengthening social accountability
mechanisms, and building trust between communities and security forces through
Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC). It also includes the implementation of
strategic livelihood micro-projects to enhance sustainable development and
human security.
Objectives
The project seeks
to address the following key challenges:
· Lack of trust between communities and security
agencies, leading to insecurity and inequalities.
· Absence of structures for public participation
and social accountability at the local level.
· Minimal involvement of community voices in
human security and development interventions, resulting in uncoordinated and
duplicated efforts.
By fostering
trust and inclusion, the project aims to strengthen the foundation for
conflict-sensitive development and effective human security.
Key Approaches
· Conducting field assessments on community
feedback mechanisms and their effectiveness.
· Organizing 10 community dialogues.
· Disseminating and adapting community feedback
mechanisms.
Project Name: Promoting Intercommunal Trust Building through Joint Action Planning
Project Duration: 2023
Donor: International Republican Institute (IRI)
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/semi-arid-resilience-network-771b03155_promoting-intercommunal-trust-building-through-activity-7109935602803867648-Shjo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Goal: To advance intercommunal agreements between Borana and Somali communities through joint action planning and engagement of peace committees, cultural elders, youth, women and government representatives at the Isiolo-Garissa Border.
Specific Objectives
. Enhance the capacity
of 30 peace ambassadors on trust building and conflict sensitivity.
2. Establish an
interdivisional peace network to deter tribal conflicts.
3. Equip peace actors to
strengthen communal relationships through joint peace actions.
4. Institutionalize
community action plans for managing shared resources at the border villages.
Achievements
1.Enhanced the capacity
of 30 local peace committee members, leading to effective conflict sensitivity
workshops and the return of stolen livestock.
2.Conducted
intercommunal dialogues, sensitizing 200 community members and reducing
mistrust between Boranas and Somalis.
3.Supported 8 youth
teams (110 members) and 8 women’s groups (10 members each) using sports, arts,
and culture to foster shared identity and resilience.
4. Facilitated the
design of community peace actions (CPAs), enabling local ownership and
participation in conflict resolution.
5.Strengthened
collaboration between peace committees and government agencies, integrating
local peace actions into devolved governance frameworks.
.
Goal: To engage the community in Fafi and Hulugho on conflict-sensitive approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic
Project Name: Strengthening Community Networks and Structures on Covid-19 Response
Project Duration: 2021
Donor: Search for Common Ground
Achievements:
Facilitated meaningful dialogue between
communities in Fafi and Hulugho and security actors during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Empowered community influencers with
training and tools to map existing risks using early warning and early response
mechanisms.
Established forums that enhanced
collaboration between community members and security enforcement officers.
Fostered mutual understanding and trust
between the community and security actors, resulting in strengthened working
linkages.
Achieved a common understanding of shared
objectives between communities and security personnel, particularly in
addressing pandemic-related challenges.
Addressed potential conflicts arising from
preventive enforcement, surveillance, and movement restrictions through
dialogue and mutual engagement.
Project Name: Promoting Intercommunal Trust Building through Joint Action Planning
Project Duration: 2021 to 2022
Donor: Finn Church Aid through iDove
Link: https://x.com/SARN_Ke/status/1531929220284305411
Goal: To strengthen community-led peacebuilding and countering violent extremism in the Mandera-Somalia birder region.
Activities
· Conducted training of trainers for community influencers.
· Built the capacity of civilian government actors and community
members to counter youth radicalization.
· Established active community forums to coordinate local peace
initiatives.
Achievements
· Conducted
youth workshops to address push and pull factors driving radicalization.
· Established community
forums to foster collaboration between communities and security actors.
· Strengthened trust and resilience through community-led peacebuilding efforts.
.
Project Name: Empowering Young Sheikhs Leaders to Counter Violent Extremism
Project Duration: 2019 to 2020
Donor: Global Center on Cooperative Security
Goal: to engage madrasa students and religious clerics in Garissa to promote peacebuilding and reduce extrajudicial killings.
Activities Achievements
Facilitated open discussions for 200 madrasa youths on the dangers of violent extremism.
Hosted four monthly talk shows and one plenary discussion on countering extremism.
Designed and disseminated targeted messages in English and Arabic through social media.
Supported madrasa youth in hosting community service events and sport activities including a "Ramadan" football match.
Mentored 100 madrasa youth to engage in community service and promote peace and social cohesion.