1-10 of 11 intervention programs

Empowering young people to become agents of peace and social cohesion in the Great Lakes region The "Youth, Peace, and Security" program by JAMAA Grands Lacs is an initiative that places young people at the heart of efforts to prevent conflict, promote peace, and strengthen social cohesion in the African Great Lakes region. Against a backdrop of communal tensions, conflict, disinformation, social divisions, and limited youth participation in decision-making processes, the program views youth not merely as a population affected by crises, but primarily as a force capable of actively contributing to building lasting peace. Our ambition JAMAA Grands Lacs aims to create spaces where young people can express themselves, engage in dialogue, learn, collaborate, and take action on issues affecting their communities. The program supports young people in developing the skills needed to become community leaders, mediators, peace ambassadors, and agents of change. Our key areas of intervention 1. Dialogue and social cohesion Creating spaces for dialogue among young people from diverse backgrounds, communities, and territories to foster listening, mutual understanding, and harmonious coexistence. 2. Civic participation Encouraging young people to participate in discussions and initiatives related to community life, local governance, and issues of peace and security. 3. Conflict prevention Strengthening young people's capacity to identify tensions, understand their root causes, and help prevent them through dialogue, mediation, and community-based initiatives. 4. Combating disinformation and hate speech Developing young people's critical thinking and digital skills to enable them to identify misleading information, curb the spread of hate speech, and promote responsible social media use. 5. Youth-led peace initiatives Supporting young people in designing and implementing concrete actions that address the challenges facing their communities: awareness-raising campaigns, community dialogues, cultural activities, civic actions, and digital initiatives. 6. Youth leadership and empowerment Training and mentoring a new generation of young leaders capable of spearheading initiatives that foster peace, social cohesion, and community development. Youth who do not merely observe, but take action Through this program, JAMAA Grands Lacs aims to shift from an approach where young people are merely beneficiaries of peace initiatives to one where they become the designers, implementers, and ambassadors of these initiatives. Every young person has a voice, an experience, and the capacity to act. The program seeks to channel this energy into positive actions for their communities. Our approach The program is based on a participatory and inclusive approach. Young people are encouraged to draw on their local realities to identify problems, propose solutions, and work collectively on their implementation. Activities may include, among others: • Training sessions and workshops; • Inter-community dialogues; • Awareness-raising campaigns; • Civic debates; • Cultural and sports activities that foster social cohesion; • Community initiatives; • Digital campaigns; • Forums for dialogue between young people and decision-makers; • Support for youth-led projects. Desired impact Through the "Youth, Peace, and Security" program, JAMAA Grands Lacs aims to help foster a generation of young people capable of: • Promoting tolerance and respect for diversity; • Preventing conflict within their communities; • Participating actively in civic life; • Using digital technology responsibly; • Build bridges between different communities; • Drive local peace-building initiatives; • Foster an atmosphere of trust and dialogue. Our Vision A Great Lakes region where every young person can participate in building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient society. JAMAA Grands Lacs believes that peace is not built solely within institutions. It is also built in communities, schools, neighborhoods, and digital spaces—and, above all, between people. That is why we invest in youth: because young people who are engaged today can become the force for peace of tomorrow.

Providing essential support to women and children displaced by the violence of war. Facing hunger and destitution that threaten their very survival, Inuka/Stand Up provides food aid and livelihood support to help these populations rebuild their lives. Beyond material assistance, our program offers psychosocial support to help victims overcome the trauma of war. Many have endured unprecedented violence and have no one to turn to; that is why we provide psychological, medical, and legal support services to help them regain their dignity and hope. Driven by the commitment of hundreds of young volunteers, Inuka/Stand Up is far more than just an aid program—it is a genuine community built on solidarity. Every day, our volunteers bring comfort and hope, working actively to improve the daily lives of women and children whom peace has left behind. Together, we strengthen the resilience of those who, despite everything, are fighting to survive and rebuild their lives amidst instability. Inuka/Stand Up is a program of solidarity, hope, and rebuilding.

Working to strengthen peace, social cohesion, and community resilience by fostering inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful management of natural resources in Central Africa. The program recognizes the close link between environmental issues and inter-community relations. Ecosystem degradation, pressure on natural resources, and difficulties in accessing land, water, or livelihoods can heighten vulnerabilities and create or exacerbate local tensions. The programme recognizes that environmental challenges and relationships between communities are closely intertwined. Ecosystem degradation, pressure on natural resources, and difficulties in accessing land, water or livelihoods can heighten vulnerabilities and create or worsen local tensions. In the Great Lakes region, shaped by decades of conflict and displacement, these pressures fall first on the most vulnerable: displaced families, women, young people and marginalized communities. While climate change does not cause conflict on its own, it can deepen grievances, undermine livelihoods and increase the risk of violence. Conversely, fair and shared management of resources can become a lever for dialogue, trust and reconciliation. Our ambition To make environmental protection a tool for peacebuilding, so that access to land, water and natural resources becomes a source of cooperation rather than division. Our areas of intervention Peaceful management of natural resources: supporting dialogue among communities, resource users and local authorities to prevent and resolve disputes over land, water and other resources. Environmental education and awareness: strengthening environmental awareness among young people and communities through campaigns, workshops and field activities. Climate resilience and livelihoods: promoting sustainable, income-generating solutions, such as the production of eco-friendly biochar by displaced women, which shows that climate action and peace can reinforce each other. Youth and women’s leadership: supporting their meaningful participation in environmental decision-making and peace processes, recognizing them as agents of solutions rather than mere beneficiaries. Advocacy and climate justice: amplifying community voices with decision-makers to promote responsible, transparent and inclusive governance of resources. Our approach Participatory and inclusive, it starts from local realities: communities themselves identify problems, propose solutions and implement them through training, intercommunity dialogue, consultation spaces and community initiatives. Expected impact Reduced tensions linked to access to natural resources Stronger social cohesion and trust between communities Improved resilience to the effects of climate change Greater inclusion of young people and women in local environmental governance

A psychosocial support, community resilience and peacebuilding initiative implemented by JAMAA Grands Lacs with populations affected by conflict, violence, forced displacement and humanitarian crises in Central Africa. Drawing on the principles of inclusive dialogue, reconciliation, social cohesion and community participation, the programme supports individuals, families and communities in their process of rebuilding after traumatic experiences. It emphasizes the creation of safe spaces to speak, listening, psychosocial support, the restoration of social relationships, and the strengthening of local capacities to prevent tensions and foster peaceful coexistence. In the Great Lakes region, decades of conflict, violence and displacement have left deep, often invisible wounds. Many people, particularly women, children and young people, have endured extreme violence without knowing whom to turn to. Untreated trauma can strain family and community ties, feed mistrust and sustain the cycle of violence. Healing individuals also means mending the social fabric and laying the groundwork for lasting peace. Our ambition To help every affected person regain dignity, hope and the ability to act, and to help communities become spaces of trust, solidarity and peaceful coexistence once more. Our areas of intervention Safe spaces to speak: providing confidential, caring places where everyone can express themselves without fear of judgment. Listening and psychosocial support: accompanying individuals and families through active listening, support groups and tailored follow-up, linked to medical and legal assistance where needed. Restoring social relationships: facilitating dialogue, reconciliation and the rebuilding of trust among families, neighbors and community groups. Strengthening local capacities: training community relays, volunteers and young leaders in listening, mediation and tension prevention. Resilience and recovery: connecting psychosocial support with livelihood and empowerment activities so that healing is part of lasting reconstruction. Our approach Participatory, inclusive and person-centered, it respects each person’s dignity, confidentiality and pace. Communities are not mere beneficiaries: they are active agents of their own healing and of peacekeeping. The programme relies on local volunteers, trained to support their peers with humanity. Expected impact Improved psychosocial well-being of affected people Restored trust and reduced isolation and stigma Stronger social cohesion and intercommunity reconciliation Communities better equipped to prevent tensions and foster peaceful coexistence

An annual training programme designed to strengthen the leadership of young civil society actors. It builds their skills in participatory democracy, civic engagement, good governance and responsible leadership, while fostering dialogue between civil society and public authorities. In the Great Lakes region, young people’s participation in decisions affecting their communities remains limited, even though they are a powerful force for change. The decline of some democratic values, mistrust of institutions and the gap between citizens and decision-makers weaken local governance and social cohesion. The programme starts from a conviction: lasting peace cannot be built without effective citizen participation, transparency and accountability. Our ambition To foster a new generation of ethical, informed and committed civic leaders who can voice their communities’ concerns, defend fundamental rights and contribute to more inclusive and accountable institutions. Training content Participatory democracy: understanding citizen participation mechanisms, the role of elections and ways to influence public policy. Civic engagement: moving from intention to action through concrete initiatives, networking and community mobilization. Good governance: promoting transparency, accountability, monitoring of public action and respect for human rights. Responsible leadership: developing ethical, inclusive, community-serving leadership, with particular attention to the role of women and young people. Civil society–public authorities dialogue: creating constructive spaces for exchange between young leaders, authorities and decision-makers to co-create solutions. Our approach An annual, participatory and practical training that combines learning, hands-on exercises and post-training support. Participants in turn become relays in their organizations and communities, and join a regional network of change-makers. The programme is connected to innovative citizen dialogue spaces such as the Citizen Voice Lab. Expected impact Stronger civic leadership among young civil society actors Greater inclusion of young people and women in local and national governance Improved trust and dialogue between citizens and public authorities A growing network of change-makers committed to democracy and peace

Creating spaces for dialogue, meeting and community consultation, enabling people to come together, share their concerns and take part in finding collective solutions. The programme draws on the principles of inclusive dialogue, local participation and peacebuilding associated with the initiatives of the Kofi Annan Foundation, while being adapted to the social, cultural and security realities of the communities concerned. “Baraza,” in Swahili, refers to a meeting place where the community gathers to talk, listen and decide together. In a Great Lakes region marked by division, mistrust and disinformation, these spaces bring together people from different backgrounds, defuse tensions before they escalate, and give everyone a voice in the affairs of their community. Our ambition To make every Baraza a safe, open and respected space where residents, including young people, women and marginalized groups, can voice their concerns and build concrete responses together. Our areas of intervention Community dialogue spaces: organizing regular, inclusive gatherings where people discuss their everyday concerns. Consultation and collective problem-solving: supporting communities in identifying problems and co-designing actions suited to their context. Dialogue between citizens and authorities: facilitating exchanges among residents, community leaders and local decision-makers. Prevention and peaceful management of tensions: strengthening mediation and listening skills so that disputes are addressed before they escalate. Networking: connecting Baraza spaces to share experiences, good practices and lessons across the region. Our approach Inclusive, participatory and rooted in the local context. The rules of dialogue (respect, listening, confidentiality, equal voice) are set with the communities themselves. Sessions are led by trained local facilitators, and each Baraza adapts to the social, cultural and security realities of its setting. Expected impact Stronger trust and social cohesion between communities Greater participation of people in decisions that affect them Reduced tensions and lower risk of local conflicts Collective solutions driven by communities themselves

A regional space for learning, reading, knowledge sharing and skills development, rather than a mere room for storing books. In the Great Lakes region, access to reliable information, education and spaces for reflection remains uneven, particularly for young people and communities affected by conflict and displacement. Disinformation and hate speech spread more easily where opportunities to get informed, learn and debate are scarce. The Regional Library starts from a conviction: knowledge is a lever for peace, citizenship and resilience. Designed as a living place, it goes beyond preserving books. It invites everyone to read, train, exchange and create, turning knowledge into the ability to act. Our ambition To offer everyone, including young people, women, students, community leaders and civil society actors, an open space to learn, meet and share knowledge in service of peace and community development. Our areas of intervention Reading and access to knowledge: providing books, reports, guides and resources on peace, governance, the environment, human rights and leadership, both on site and in digital form. Learning and skills development: offering workshops, training and coaching sessions, notably in leadership, communication and digital tools. Knowledge sharing: showcasing studies, publications and field experience, and facilitating their dissemination to communities, researchers and partners. Media and information literacy: building critical thinking to identify misleading information and limit the spread of hate speech. Meeting and exchange space: hosting reading clubs, citizen debates and encounters between young people, experts and decision-makers. Our approach Open, inclusive and participatory, the library involves readers, volunteers and partners in running it and enriching its resources. It combines a physical space with a digital library to reach as many people as possible, including those far from urban centers. Expected impact Better access to information and education for young people and communities Stronger skills and leadership Greater critical thinking in the face of disinformation A regional community of learners, researchers and change-makers

A regional space dedicated to peacebuilding, psychosocial support, dialogue and strengthening the resilience of actors and communities affected by conflict and crises in Central Africa. The programme provides a safe and inclusive setting where community actors, civil society organizations, young people, women and other stakeholders can meet, share experiences, strengthen their capacities and develop collective responses to the challenges of conflict and social division. Through activities in dialogue, psychosocial support, trauma healing, training, experience sharing and personal development, the Regional Peace House helps restore trust, strengthen local capacities and foster more peaceful community relations. In the Great Lakes region, those who work for peace every day, mediators, community leaders, volunteers and psychosocial workers, are also exposed to violence, fatigue and isolation. Communities, meanwhile, carry the legacy of prolonged conflict and social division. The Regional Peace House responds to this twofold need: caring for those who build peace, and giving them a place to join forces. Our ambition To become a landmark place in Central Africa where peace is thought through, practiced and shared: a space for renewal, learning and cooperation, serving more united and resilient communities. Our areas of intervention Dialogue and peacebuilding: organizing inclusive gatherings among communities, organizations and stakeholders to prevent tensions and address social divisions. Psychosocial support and trauma healing: providing safe spaces for speaking, listening and accompaniment for affected individuals and actors. Training and capacity building: developing skills in mediation, leadership, conflict transformation and violence prevention. Experience sharing: promoting the exchange of practices and lessons among field actors, locally and regionally. Personal development and well-being of peace actors: preventing burnout and strengthening the resilience of those working for peace. Collective responses: supporting the design of joint initiatives to address conflict and social divisions. Our approach Safe, inclusive and participatory, the Regional Peace House welcomes everyone with respect, confidentiality and equal voice. It draws on local resources and knowledge, connects JAMAA Grands Lacs’ various programmes, and works in network with partners across the region. Expected impact Restored trust between individuals and communities Stronger local capacities for conflict prevention and resolution Better well-being and greater resilience among peace actors More peaceful community relations and lasting collective solutions

Promoting dialogue, reconciliation and the peaceful resolution of local conflicts. The programme strengthens the capacities of young people and women in mediation and negotiation. In the Great Lakes region, local conflicts over land, resources, identity or power often escalate for lack of reliable channels of dialogue. Disinformation, rumors and hate speech, amplified by radio and social media, feed mistrust and can turn a dispute into violence. Yet young people and women, often excluded from formal peace processes, are among those best placed to defuse tensions in their own surroundings. Media for Peace draws on mediation, negotiation and communication to make these actors builders of peaceful conflict resolution. Our ambition To bring forth, in every community, mediators and peace communicators capable of preventing conflicts, bringing parties together and spreading messages of reconciliation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Our areas of intervention Dialogue and reconciliation: facilitating meetings between parties in disagreement, with emphasis on listening, truth and the restoration of relationships. Peaceful resolution of local conflicts: supporting the settlement of community disputes through mediation before they escalate. Mediation and negotiation training: strengthening young people’s and women’s skills in conflict analysis, mediation techniques, negotiation and nonviolent communication. Communication and media for peace: using radio, digital tools and awareness campaigns to promote peace messages and counter disinformation and hate speech. Local mediator networks: connecting trained mediators to share experiences, support one another and act in a coordinated way. Our approach Participatory, inclusive and rooted in local realities, it values traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms while enriching them with modern methods. It places young people and women at the center, both as mediators and as voices for peace, in connection with the Baraza spaces and the Regional Peace House. Expected impact More local conflicts resolved peacefully Greater trust and reconciliation between communities Young people and women recognized as key actors in mediation Reduced disinformation and hate speech

Strengthening women’s autonomy, resilience and leadership. The programme supports women, particularly those facing the consequences of conflict, violence, precarity and social inequality, so they can build their capacity to make choices, develop their initiatives and take an active part in the life of their communities. In eastern DRC and across the Great Lakes region, women and their children are among the first victims of conflict: displacement, hunger, violence and the loss of livelihoods. Many have endured unprecedented violence without knowing whom to turn to. Yet they are also pillars of their families and communities, and essential actors for peace. “Inuka,” meaning “rise up” in Swahili, expresses the programme’s conviction: every woman holds the strength to rebuild, provided she is supported and recognized. Our ambition To enable every woman to regain her dignity, her power to act and her place in the community, and to make solidarity among women an engine of resilience and peace. Our areas of intervention Basic support and livelihoods: providing food assistance and practical support to meet urgent needs and help women rebuild their lives. Economic empowerment: supporting income-generating activities and women-led initiatives, such as the production of eco-friendly biochar by displaced women. Psychosocial, medical and legal support: offering listening spaces and accompaniment for survivors of violence, to help them overcome trauma and regain hope. Health and dignity: raising awareness of menstrual hygiene and distributing kits to improve the health, autonomy and access to education of women and girls. Leadership and participation: strengthening women’s confidence, skills and voice in community life, local governance and peace processes. Solidarity and volunteering: drawing on the commitment of hundreds of young volunteers who bring comfort and support every day. Our approach Person-centered and participatory, it starts from the needs, choices and abilities of women themselves, with respect for their dignity and confidentiality. It combines material assistance, psychosocial support and leadership development, in connection with the Trauma Healing and Women, Peace and Security programmes, so that solidarity becomes a true community. Expected impact Greater economic autonomy and decision-making capacity for women Dignity, well-being and hope restored for survivors Increased participation of women in community life and local governance More supportive, resilient and inclusive communities