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Form a Link Group

10 Things to think about when forming a Link Group

For more information please contact Francesca Cerletti. francesca@peacedirect.org
See: Contact Peace Direct

1. What does being a Link Group entail?


  • Building relationships and solidarity
  • Reciprocal learning
  • Exchanging skills, expertise, resources
  • Fundraising
  • Examining one’s perceptions.

It is about building a relationship with people who see the world with different perspectives and whose living conditions are different from those in the UK. This might challenge your perceptions and you will need to be prepared to deal with this. Remember: there are no set rules, we are all entitled to our own beliefs and perceptions. However, being able to recognise the other’s beliefs and perceptions is often what conflict transformation is all about. You will gain an understanding of the issues associated with working and living in a conflict area.

2. How long do we need to commit?


If you decide to go ahead, and you feel you can work with the group, you will need to commit to the Link Group Programme for at least five years.

3. Getting the Group started


You might want to discuss and reach a common understanding on what has led you to become a group and what your expectations are. You will need to set up a core group of committed individuals who will be the main thrust of this initiative as well as having a wider group. You will also need to discuss, develop and agree processes which you will find most useful as a group to help you effectively support the groups abroad. This might include a definition of the roles; for example who takes care of correspondence, who deals with fundraising, who communicates back to Peace Direct and so forth.

4. What does your group offer? (Skills, knowledge and expertise)


Assess what your group has to offer. For example: What are the skills within the group? What resources can you count on? (This does not only mean financial) How much time could each member dedicate to this activity? In the future you may need to do some lobbying and fundraising for the group - do you have the necessary skills available? Also think about who you can count on. Who do you know? Do they share the same values and care about the same things you do? What do they know, and who do they know? Do they have skills that complement yours? Do they have access to resources that complement yours?

5. What will be the impact on your group, and on your community?


Consider what the potential impact could be on your group: for example there will be some costs, however minimal. What will be the impact on your community? Would you consider emparting your experience and learning to your community? Would you consider involving young people in the activities of your group?

6. What do you need to know?


You will need to do some research to learn about the context and environment of where your prospective link group lives and works. What is the conflict about? Who are the key players (local, national and international)? What are the historical legacies? What is the political situation and structure? What are the policies which influence the conflict (local, national and international)? Who are the key stakeholders (local, national and international) and what are their interests? What are the contingent factors (refugees, displacement, HIV, etc)? What have been the dynamics of the conflict? What have been the peace initiatives? And more... Possible sources and further questions: Are there other groups linked to the same area? If so, how did these come about? How is their linking initiative working? Is there much communication with the area of interest? Are there any NGOs or other organisations operating in the area? Are there people from there that you can speak with?

7. Getting to know one another


You will need to prepare some information on your group to share with the Link Group abroad, for example, information about: Who you all are. What your community is like and how you relate to them. Whether you would be prepared to go and visit them. What has led you to become a Link Group. You will also need to think about the questions you may wish to ask the Link Group abroad, such as: What would you like to know about our group? What is your situation and what conditions do you operate within? What do you need? What are your expectations? How do you make choices and decisions? How sensitive is your work; would us publishing articles about you here in the West help or hinder your work? Do you know enough to make a decision to link with us?

8. Building the relationship


You will need to think, discuss and agree with the other group how you want to work together. From time to time you will need to check with the other group your understanding, assumptions and perception. You will also need to consider what happens if your needs are different from those of the other group, and how can you discuss and resolve these differences. Would you consider designing partnership ground rules? What is the impact on the community? Is there the possibility that the initiative be exploited within the community? What strategies can be drawn to counteract potential negative impacts?

9. Communication with Peace Direct, Training and Events


Peace Direct will ask you to provide brief updates on how the initiative is going. Peace Direct will offer some training that you might want to consider participating in, or you may wish to attend training organised by the networks we link with. Peace Direct will, form time to time, organise events for all UK groups to attend as a learning and networking opportunity to which you will be invited.

10. Monitoring and reviewing


You might want to think about how you will review and monitor the initiative. For this you will need to think about your criteria, for example: How would you define/consider your link? How would you define a good relationship and linking with the other group, and positive outcomes? What are the other’s criteria? What impact has the link on the community? Who benefits? Who suffers? At what point will you carry out the reviews?