We know local peacebuilding works, and we have the evidence to prove it. You can see it in our impact reporting, storytelling, publications, and policy briefs. For example: 

• Impact stories from our local partners provide evidence of local peacebuilding efforts turning enemies into friends, using sports to help young people tolerate others and deal with frustrations non-violently, and healing trauma to end generational cycles of conflict. 

• In ‘The Case for Flexible Funding’, we highlight evidence from local partners about the importance of peacebuilders’ receiving flexible funding to help them respond to changing conflict dynamics and disasters. 

• The evaluation of our Youth Action for Peace programme shows that young peacebuilders entrusted with small, flexible grants can create innovative peacebuilding solutions that are embedded in their community’s needs. 

• What Transformation Takes: Evidence of Responsible INGO Transitions to Locally Led Development Around the World shows how international organisations can enable sustainable local leadership when ending international interventions. 

• We explore the importance of reintegration of former soldiers, in this blog highlighting the impact of our partner’s work in the DR Congo: ‘Why is the ‘R’ in DDR – disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration – so important?’ 

• In War Prevention Works, a foundational piece of research for Peace Direct, we share 50 short accounts from around the world that document what ordinary people are doing to stop war and killing, armed only with integrity, stamina and courage. They highlight what works, who does it, where, how much it costs, and show how powerful non-violence can be. 

We support our partners to lead research and learning initiatives in their communities. For example, in 2024 we worked with partners in eastern DRC to analyse conflicts affecting local communities and identify potential peacebuilding responses: https://www.peacedirect.org/localised-analysis-of-conflicts-in-beni  

We also research the problems that undermine the effectiveness of local peacebuilding. These problems – barriers to getting enough food, water or shelter, harmful international policies, structural racism and neocolonial approaches all undermine local peacebuilding. You can read our research on them here, including our landmark report on decolonisation: 

Research consultations 

We usePlatform4Dialogue to convene consultations for our sector. This brings local peacebuilders and international organisations together, to share their insights and experiences online. These consultations support our work exploring decolonisation – including the landmark report Time to Decolonise Aid. Learn more about Platform4Dialogue here: https://www.platform4dialogue.org/en/.  

Peace Insight 

Published by Peace Direct, Peace Insight is the leading online resource showcasing local peacebuilding and its impact across conflict zones worldwide. 

• Peace Insight publishes unique stories. We publish articles by local peacebuilders and journalists, sharing vital first-hand reporting from those directly affected by new outbreaks of violence. These stories highlight the untapped potential of local peacebuilding, and explore the ways people are overcoming challenges and transforming their futures.  

• We map and highlight local peacebuilding organisations on our interactive database. Explore 2,300 local peacebuilding organisations in 44 conflict-affected regions around the world. Use this map to seek local perspectives on conflicts, or for more information on how to support local efforts in a particular area.