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Supporting Inclusive Dialogue and Gender‑Sensitive Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in Benishangul‑Gumuz, Ethiopia

This action supports locally owned, inclusive and gender-sensitive peacebuilding in the Metekel Zone of Benishangul-Gumuz. Implemented by the Berghof Foundation with the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Co-operation (CDRC), it uses community-led dialogue to transform conflict, rebuild trust and strengthen state-society relations in a volatile security environment.

Objective

Promote sustainable and inclusive peace and social cohesion through dialogue-based conflict transformation.

• Strengthen the effectiveness, coherence and inclusivity of peacebuilding efforts at community, regional and government levels.

• Strengthen women’s and youth leadership and participation in dialogue and peacebuilding processes.

• Increase community ownership of dialogue outcomes and conflict-resolution mechanisms and improve inter-communal and state-society relations.

Project Activities

Conduct conflict analysis and stakeholder mapping to guide interventions.

• Establish and strengthen an Insider Peacebuilding Network and train facilitators in inclusive, do-no-harm dialogue.

• Build the capacity of government officials and revitalise the Regional Peacebuilding Network.

• Facilitate inclusive inter-communal dialogues with preparatory analysis, follow-up and culturally embedded reconciliation ceremonies.

• Identify and prepare community-prioritised “peace dividend” projects for later implementation

Results

Community dialogues contributed to voluntary disarmament and reintegration, the return of displaced people, and reduced inter- and intra-communal tensions.

• Inclusive dialogue spaces strengthened trust and were viewed as more effective than previous top-down efforts.

• A functional Insider Peacebuilding Network now leads dialogues independently and is recognised by authorities.

• Women’s and youth participation increased significantly, while coordination among CSOs, communities and government improved.

• Communities are establishing local peace committees and translating agreements into action, laying the foundations for community-driven peace projects.