How do you apply the principles of conflict sensitivity to your project design and implementation?

2 Why is conflict sensitivity important?

Conflict sensitivity is important for several reasons. First, it helps to avoid doing harm, by preventing or minimizing negative impacts that could worsen the conflict or harm the beneficiaries. For example, by ensuring fair and transparent distribution of resources, avoiding bias or discrimination, and respecting local norms and values. Second, it helps to do good, by maximizing positive impacts that could support peacebuilding and resilience. For example, by promoting dialogue and cooperation, addressing root causes of conflict, and empowering marginalized groups. Third, it helps to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the project, by increasing the relevance, legitimacy, and ownership of the intervention.

3 How to conduct a conflict analysis?

A conflict analysis is a systematic process of gathering and analyzing information about the conflict context, the actors, the issues, and the dynamics. It helps to identify the root causes, the drivers, the triggers, and the consequences of conflict, as well as the capacities and opportunities for peace. A conflict analysis can be done at different levels (macro, meso, micro) and stages (baseline, mid-term, end-line) of the project cycle. There are various tools and methods for conducting a conflict analysis, such as the conflict tree, the conflict mapping, the stakeholder analysis, the problem-solution tree, and the do-no-harm framework.

4 How to design a conflict-sensitive project?

A conflict-sensitive project is a project that is informed by the findings of the conflict analysis, and that integrates conflict sensitivity into its objectives, strategies, activities, indicators, and budget. A conflict-sensitive project aims to address the needs and interests of the target groups, to avoid or mitigate any negative impacts on the conflict, and to enhance any positive impacts on the peace. A conflict-sensitive project also considers the cross-cutting issues of gender, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Some examples of conflict-sensitive project design are: using a participatory approach, involving local actors and beneficiaries, ensuring cultural and contextual appropriateness, applying a do-no-harm principle, and incorporating peacebuilding outcomes.

5 How to implement a conflict-sensitive project?

A conflict-sensitive project implementation involves applying the principles of conflict sensitivity throughout the project cycle, from planning to monitoring and evaluation. A conflict-sensitive project implementation requires a flexible and adaptive management style, that can respond to changing needs and realities on the ground. A conflict-sensitive project implementation also requires a regular and systematic monitoring and evaluation of the project's impacts on the conflict and the peace, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Some examples of conflict-sensitive project implementation are: establishing clear and transparent communication channels, building trust and rapport with stakeholders, managing expectations and grievances, ensuring accountability and feedback mechanisms, and adapting activities and strategies as needed.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?