Local actors play a critical role in responding to conflicts, and as such constitute a key element of peacebuilding efforts in fragile and conflict affected contexts. In the framework of an EU-funded project called ‘Capacities for Peace’, Saferworld and Conciliation Resources have supported local actors to undertake, or take part in, early warning and peacebuilding processes across 32 contexts. This project has provided an opportunity to learn lessons and reflect on initiatives that communities and civil society organisations take to prevent and address conflict, and how external actors like INGOs and the EU can best support them to maximise their agency and impact.

This event will bring together civil society representatives from various conflict-affected contexts (Central African Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Kashmir, Nepal, Nigeria, Liberia) with EU officials and other Brussels-based actors to discuss how we can collectively overcome some of the challenges relating to early warning and peacebuilding and explore further what constitutes effective ‘capacity building’.

The event will be followed by drinks.

Please RSVP by 12 February 2016 to Kloe Tricot O’Farrell.