Building the capacity of civil society organizations in post-conflict situations: a training toolkit for CSOs

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United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's Initiative to Support Civil Society

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Economic Commission Intergovernmental Authority

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Building the Capacity of Civil

Organizations in Post-Conflict Situations

ATrainingToolkit for CSOs

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's Initiative to Support Civil Society

Organizations in IGAD Region

Economic Commission Intergovernmental Authority for Africa on Development

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ^.IV

Acronyms

Glossary yi

Preface viii

Introduction 1

I. Toolkit Objectives andGoals 3

Tool 1: Setting Learning Goals 3

II. Building AProfile 4

Tool 2: What is the History ofthe Conflict? 4

Tool 3: Conflict Mapping 5

Tool 4: Developing a Post-Conflict Profile 6

Tool5: Developing an Analysis of KeyActors '

Tool 6: Several Elements for Conflict Diagnostic 9

Tool 7: Capabilities and Vulnerabilities Analysis (CVA) H

III. Community Initiatives 12

Tool 8: Principles of Community Based Post-Conflict Initiatives 12

Tool 9: Community Based Processes: 14

Tool 10: Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR) Project Outline 15 Tool 11: Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR) Project Cycle 16 Tool 12: Community Driven Development (CDD) and Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR)... 18 Tool 13: Elements Contributing to Post-Conflict Community Driven Development (CDD) and

Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR) 20

Tool 14: Small-Scale Community Planning Processes 21

Tool 15: Community Development Plans 22

Community Development Planning 24

Tool 16: Community Scorecards 24

IV. Livelihoods 26

Tool 17: Improving Community Livelihoods 26

Tool 18: The Livelihoods Framework 28

V. Social Exclusion 31

Tool 19: Social Exclusion Analysis Framework for Post-Conflict Community Development 31 Tool 20: Genderand Social Exclusion Analysis Framework for Post-Conflict Community

Development °

Tool 21: Elements of Conflict Situations and Possible Gender Dimensions 35

Tool 22: The Capacities and Vulnerabilities Framework 37

Tool 23: Checklist on Gender Awareness 38

Tool 24: Checklist -Participation in Practice 44

Tool 25: How to Engage Youth 45

Tool 26: Youth Scorecard 46

VI. Advocacy andGovernance 49

Tool 27: Situational Analysis 49

Tool 28: Advocacy/Influencing Policies and Working with Local Governments 50

Tool 29: Transitional Justice 52

Tool 30: Create an Advocacy Plan Purpose 53

Tool 31: Citizen Report Cards 54

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations inPost-Conflict Countries •

Acknowledgements

This training toolkit is the culmination of almost a year of research and preparation, under the intel lectual leadership and foresight of Steve Commins, Ph.D. in Urban Planning, University of California,

Los Angeles and Jalal Abdel-Latif, Chief of Post-Conflict and Civil Society Section, United Nations

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The entire project would not have been possible without the generous financial support and technical support ofour partners. In particular, we are grateful to the Danish International Development Agency

(DANIDA) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), whose contribution financed

the creation of the toolkit and the training workshop that provided the forum for intellectual engage

ment on this initiative, including the need for strengthening civil society inthe African context.

Many thanks are also owed to the collaborating institutions that have given support and feedback throughout this process, especially African Union (AU), the University of Peace Africa Programme,

and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Mr. Takwa Zebulon Suifon, Head of

the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Reconstruction Unit, Conflict Management Division of the

Peace andSecurity Department, was involved from inception to finalization.

Inconceiving and implementing this project, the Post-Conflict and Civil Society Section benefited from the substantial guidance from its director, Abdalla Hamdok. his could not have been achieved without

the substantive contributions, reviews, and comments from the sections staff, namely, Emebet Mesfin,

Elleni Ghebremicael, Guy Ranaivomanana, and administrative support from Meaza Molla.

Special thanks to the Publications and Conference Management Section (PCMS), Addis Ababa, Ethio pia, whose document control, language and publications staff helped to bring this toolkit into its final

fruition.

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Acronyms

AfDB Africa Development Bank

APSA Africa Peace and Security Architecture

ASF Africa Standby Force

AU Africa Union

CBO Community Based Organization

CDC Community Development Committee

CDD Community Driven Development

CDR Community Driven Reconstruction CEWS Continental Early Warning System

CSC Community Score Card

CVA Capabilities andVulnerabilities Analysis DAC Development Assistant Committee

DANIDA Danish International Development Agency DDR Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration

DFID Department for International Development (UK)

FGD Focus Group Discussion

ECA Economic Commission for Africa

EU European Union

IDP InternallyDisplaced People

LG Local Government

MDG Millennium Development Goals

MDTF Multi Donor Trust Fund

NEPAD New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

PCRD Post Conflict and Reconstruction Development

POW Panel of the Wise

PSC Peace and Security Council

REC Regional Economic Community

SIDA Swedish International Development Agency UPEACE University of Peace

USAID United States Agency for International Development

Building Capacity ofNational Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Glossary

Conflict Sensitivity: Acontextual understanding of the conflict topography unique to agiven area and that is used to inform programmes and project interventions. It is a term typically used in tandem with the principle ofdo no harm, meaning that the actions ofactors providing assistance should not cause further damage to acommunity or society that has been ravaged by conflict (e.g. inadvertently creating new conflict pressures).

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR): This is frequently one of the first steps in the transition from war to peace. The immediate goal of DDR is the restoration of security and stability, through the disarmament ofwarring parties. Demobilization ofarmed groups is another fundamental step in the improvement ofsecurity conditions at the end of an armed conflict. The final goal of DDR is the sustained social and economic reintegration of

ex-combatants into a peaceful society.

Livelihood Recovery: Aprocess by which ex-combatants and other conflict-affected peoples learn marketable vocational skills and gain access to sustainable peacetime employment and/or income opportunities. In the context of DDR this term typically refers to ex-combatant groups but here it is expanded to include abroader class ofvulnerable people who have been displaced

orwhose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the conflict.

Peace-building: A relationship-building process within and between communities in which

community members take a direct role in their post-conflict recovery. In many post-conflict contexts the objective ofpeace-building is to support the restoration ofpeace and social co hesion amongst communities by enhancing their security, dignity, equitable and sustainable development opportunities, and hope in a safe and prosperous future.

Political Reintegration: The reintegration of ex-combatants into legitimate political processes ofthe State as equal citizens, which allows them to pursue their goals in a non-violent and democratic setting, thus addressing the political exclusion of groups/individuals that fought

against or did not support the State.

Post-Conflict: Ageneral classification for a context where large-scale violent conflict has ceased but where peace may remain fragile.

Reinsertion: The assistance offered to ex-combatants during their initial demobilization but prior to medium- and longer-term reintegration processes. Reinsertion is a form of transi tional assistance to help cover the basic needs of ex-combatants and their families and can include transitional safety allowances, food, clothes, shelter, medical services and tools. While

reintegration is along-term, continuous social and economic process ofdevelopment, reinser

tion is short-term material and/or financial assistance to meet immediate needs, and can last

up to one year.

Reintegration: The process by which ex-combatants acquire civilian status and gain sustain able employment and income. Reintegration is essentially asocial and economic process with an open time-frame, primarily taking place in communities at the local level. It is part ofthe general development ofacountry and is anational responsibility. This often requires long-term

external assistance.

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Social Exclusion: The process where certain groups are systematically discriminated against and disadvantaged on the basis of their ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, caste, age, gender, disability, migrant status, etc.

Social Reintegration: The process by which ex-combatants, groups that have been displaced by

conflict, or those that have been heavily affected by conflict, become reintegrated into 'healthy

social networks and develop skills to become constructive citizens (i.e., responsible members

of society) subject to the rule of law.

Spoiler: Certain individuals and groups with economic, political, and/or social agendas that stand outside the peace process and have a vested interest in its failure (e.g. economic profit through the trade of illicit goods or firearms, prestige, or a desire to prevent accountability for past human rights violations). Spoilers can include ex-combatants and/or delinquent and vulnerable youth who actively undermine local security and stability and, as a result, act as

stressors to the peace process.

Youth: The United Nations defines youth as persons of 15 to 24 years; this range includes many of those who have finished schoolbut are stillfacing livelihoods and unemployment issues.

Youth-led Development: An approach to development that includes youth as an asset both to

society and to the positive change process.

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

This toolkit has been developed to introduce the resources available to CSOs working in post-conflict settings. The past two decades have seen an increasing focus on the role ofCSOs in delivery ofvital ser vices and in contributing to peace-building and improved governance inpost-conflict and fragile State environments. What has changed in recent years is the increased recognition that these situations are neither short-term nor easily addressed within the traditional context of the international humanitar

ian ethos.

Even though overt destructiveness may end, conflict often remains, which signals that there is a great deal that needs to be done, particularly towards averting renewed violence. This can be approached by a number ofways but most effectively by addressing core causes ofthe conflict, peace-building and

restoring services and livelihoods. Peace-building in conflict and post-conflict situations is an area in which CSOs have a particularly important role to play, at a variety oflevels.

Post-conflict peace-building involves different types of CSOs, ranging from formally organized and often specialized non-government organizations (NGOs), to local and informal community-based or ganizations (CBOs) who recognize the dangers ofcontinued inter-group hostility and the imperative ofaddressing it. Alesson ofpast decades ofconflict and complex emergencies is that the underlying conflicts often do not disappear, despite formal peace agreements and the efforts ofgovernments and civil society. Insome post-conflict situations where government has been severely weakened, civil soci ety capacity has played a particularly important role in reducing tensions and promoting consultation, peace-building, andimproved well-being between and amongst rival groups.

Ifthe roles and capacities ofcivil society were better understood, post-conflict reconstruction andde velopment efforts would be more effective. Donors, practitioners, and CSOs themselves are increas ingly aware that something more needs to be done and are now seeking a better understanding ofhow

this can be achieved.

Building knowledge isofkey importance. Training on post-conflict analysis and management ofcom munity based initiatives can help to enhance the understanding of conflict, and provide mechanisms towards improving the lives of communities affected by conflict. While the emphasis on this is on ad dressing the impacts of conflict resulting from large-scale violence, it is imperative to remember that

there are also other levels of conflict, both violent and non-violent.

The objective ofthis toolkit is to equip its users with a basic understanding ofconflict and the capac ity to identify, analyse, define and discuss conflict at the different levels at which it occurs. Further, it equips CSOs with the capacity to work with CBOs and local government in post-conflict initiatives, particularly community-driven development and community-driven reconstruction. This toolkit is flexible and adaptable; users should keep in mind that an abundance of resources are available. In or der to keep this a feasible, easy-to-use publication, only a few ofresources have been included for each topic. Each resource could be used exclusively and this publication is not meant to be used from cover to cover in one sitting.

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Introduction

Anumber of African countries have been affected by the prevalence of protracted conflict, particularly intra-state conflict, in the form of small, but devastating wars. Furthermore, Africa's reality is that it is the world's most unstable region. The instability fostered by conflicts has contributed in turn to the stunting of economic and human development. It has also frustrated efforts to build political stability,

the lack ofwhich has tended to feed back into economic and human frustration and underdevelopment, leading to increased instability, insecurity, and conflict.

The problems of management of these conflicts and their devastating impact have led to outpouring of concern and the proliferation ofpeace initiatives by regional and continental actors. The emergence of these initiatives also reflects the fact that they have come about due to the structural weakness and lack of capacity to address and manage conflict in many individual African countries.

Africa's key security challenges reflect adeep structural instability. These typically include conflicts over

the control ofnatural resources, violent ethno-nationalism, weak democratic structures, youth vulner

ability and exclusion and challenges ofrebuilding and reform, in situations ofState fragility or following

State collapse.

Over the last decade, African states have become increasingly active in seeking African-owned solu tions to the continental challenges, and taking measures towards development of their peace and se curity mechanisms. The most important initiatives in this respect, of Africa's continental and regional

stakeholders, have been put forward by the continental organization, AU and the Regional Economic

Communities (RECs).

Thus, akey institutional element of this was establishment of the AU in 2002, which adopted an ap proach in which the duty to protect and the right to intervene are enshrined in the Constitutive Act of

the Union. This means in effect that the members ofthe Union as a body have both the right and the

duty to intervene in the affairs of amember State where necessary to ensure the common peace and

security.

The most comprehensive of these initiatives is the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

APSA is initiated by AU but its structure and capacities are such that it will need to rely on RECs for some aspects of its implementation. The importance of APSA goes beyond the source of its mandate and the comprehensive nature of its contents, to the ways in which it envisages working with other stakeholders, especially civil society, to address Africa's continental security needs (see appendix C).

The past two decades have also seen an increasing focus on the role of CSOs in delivery ofvital services and contributing to early warning systems, post-conflict peace-building and improved governance in post-conflict and failed state environments. Civil society's visibility and influence in conflict prevention and peace-building has grown across the continent. For example, in West Africa, CSOs have played key roles in preventing violent conflict by being involved in early warning and response, advocating against the proliferation of small arms, ensuring that peace processes yield inclusive agreements, contributing toward post-conflict reconstruction, and promoting the involvement of women in peace-building.

Other examples of the peace-building success of CSOs include Northwest Somalia the internationally unrecognized, but largely peaceful, Republic of Somaliland, the only part of the failed state of Soma lia to enjoy relative and sustained peace over most of the past two decades. This was achieved by civil

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

society in the broader sense, when community elders met for months ofconsultation to discuss their differences, identify common ground and agree on compromise as the alternative to conflict.

The role ofcivil society in inter-group consultations in Darfur, is another example where the leadership of local communities have been brought together to discuss and identify the underlying causes of the

conflict, seek areas ofcommon ground, and agree on what is needed to enable a sustainable end to the

conflict.

There is also increased recognition that much of what is being done in response to post-conflict situ

ations in Africa could probably be done better, were the situations themselves, and the roles and ca

pacities of civil society, better understood. Donors, practitioners and CSOs themselves are increasingly aware that something more needs to be done and are seeking abetter understanding ofhow this can be

achieved.

This has called for abroader understanding of post conflict peace-building. Conflict-affected societies can be divided into three levels requiring different peace-building strategies (see appendix A). Civil

society is most active atthe third level, because it represents most ofthe population.

There are various ways to attempt to coordinate peace-building efforts. Away to better coordinate peace-building efforts is by bringing together people working in relief, development, conflict resolu tion, arms control, diplomacy, and peace-keeping so that they can share ideas and expertise (see appen dix B). The concept ofpeace-building must be broadened to include apalette ofpeace-building activi ties to ensure long-term peace. Peace-building includes all activities related to preventing outbreaks of

violence, including:

• Creating the socio-economic and political pre-conditions for sustainable development and

peace,

• Transforming armed conflicts, and

• Finding peaceful ways to manage conflict.

Civil society has avibrant and diverse role to play in conflict prevention and in the peaceful settlement

ofdisputes. Official diplomacy and reconstruction programmes cannot achieve the numerous societal

reconstruction tasks at hand without the help ofcivil society. The roles ofcivil society in peace-building

include:

• Promoting reconciliation

• Engaging in non-violent forms ofconflict management andtransformation

• Directly preventing violence

• Building bridges, trust, and interdependence between groups

• Monitoring and advocating in favour ofpeace, and against human rights violations and social

injustices

This toolkit is designed to provide users with the choice between different resources based on their pref erence, objective and post-conflict context. The toolkit is divided into six modules: (1) Setting Goals;

(2) Building a Profile; (3) Community Initiatives; (4) Livelihoods; (5) Social Exclusion; and (6) Advo cacy and Governance. Each section is useful, but may not be appropriate or necessary for every single situation. Therefore, the toolkit allows users to choose resources from each section that applies to their

specific context.

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

I. Toolkit Objectives and Goals

Tool I: Setting Learning Goals

Purpose: In order to understand the limitations and the potential areas where the toolkit can have the greatest impact, four initial questions should be asked by each individual who uses the toolkit.

• What are myroles and responsibility?

. What experiences do I bring to this work?

. Whatareother colleagues doing in this area?

. What is their capacity?

Goals for understanding conflict and post-conflict settings:

Know Want to Learn ^Learned

Think about thefollowing questions andfill in the table above based on whatyou know, what you want to learn and at the end

ofthe toolkit go back andfill out what you have learned.

. What is my current understanding of different concepts such conflict, violence, peace and development?

What do I want to understand about these concepts?

. What perceptions, attitudes and behaviors does my organization bring in relation to conflict and post-conflict

issues?

Conflict analysis skills:

. What are some tools for analyzing conflict and its various stages

. How to identify the parties toaconflict and their positions, interests and needs

• How to identify and understand the factors influencing conflict . How to identify the causes and consequences ofconflict, and

. How to identify the parties to aconflict and their positions, interests and needs.

Developing post-conflict skills andcapabilities

• What are the key approaches to conflict management?

• What are useful community development skills?

. How can CDD and CDR contribute to post-conflict peace-building?

• What are key approaches for effective community dialogue?

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

II. Building A Profile

Tool 2:What is the History of the Conflict?

Identify:

• Critical events

• Previous mediation efforts

• External interventions

Create a Timeline

Agreat way to begin any conflict analysis discussion is to create atimeline with participants. Brainstorm

10-15 important events that occurred before, during, and after the conflict. At each event make sure to reach consensus on when it occurred, what happened and the actors involved.

Causes of a Conflict

After the timeline, it is agood idea to dig deeper into what happened by analysing the specific causes, factors and triggers of the conflict. It is fundamental to identify potential and existing conflict causes,

as well as possible factors contributing to peace. Conflict causes can be defined as those factors which contribute to peoples grievances.

Use: The table below, without any of the columns filled in, can be used as abrainstorming activity. The filled-in information simply shows examples that one may come up with at the end of the dialogue.

Structural Causes

Questions of the govern ment's legitimacy

Lack of political participation Unequal economic and social opportunities

Unequal access to natural

resources

Poor quality of governance

Proximate Factors

Actions of armed groups Human rights abuses Role of neighboring coun

tries

Role of diaspora

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Conflict Triggers

• Elections

• Arrest/assassination of key leader or political figure

• Drought

• Collapse of local currency

• Military coup

• Rapid change in livelihoods

• Increased price/scarcity of

basic commodities

• Capital flight

Ask participants to brainstorm thefollowing questions:

What are structural causes of conflict?

Illegitimate government, lack ofpolitical participation, lack of equal economic and social opportunities,

inequitable access to natural resources, poor governance

What issues canbe considered as proximate causes ofconflict?

Uncontrolled security sector, light weapons proliferation, human rights abuses, destabilizing role ofneigh

bouring countries, role ofdiasporas.

What triggers can contributeto the outbreak/further escalation of conflict?

Elections, arrest Iassassination ofkey leader orpoliticalfigure, drought, sudden collapse oflocal currency, amilitary coup, rapid change in unemployment,flood, increasedprice/scarcity ofbasic commodities, capi-

talfiight.

Purpose: One ofthe most useful tools is conflict mapping, which visually depicts the people, issues and relationships in aconflict. Aconflict map can be used to identify all stakeholders and to assess their

relationships, power dynamics and alliances.

Use: Below is an example of how to develop aconflict map, and akey for the symbols used. It is often

helpful to begin with the major parties and the major issues, and then add in other parties, issues, and

lastly the relationships.

Note: "Party" can refer to individuals or groups. This activity is best done in small groups (3-6 partici

pants) to allow for open discussion.

The box below provides a key tothe symbols used to define the relationships.

connection direction of power or influence

intermittent connection broken relationship

alliance discord

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 4: Developing a Post-Conflict Profile

Purpose: This provides abasic checklist for CSOs and facilitators to do preliminary reflections on the

post-conflict context.

What are the political, economic and socio-cultural contexts?

Size ofcountry, infrastructure and integration ofregions

Demographic trends Recent history

Pre- andpost-conflict economic structures Differentforms of livelihoods

Social composition ofthe population

Environment and natural resources

Regional position (i.e. neighbouring countries) Changes ingender relations

Pockets ofsocially marginalized or excluded populations.

What are emergent political, economic, ecological, and social issues?

Political reform processes

Decentralization

Investment new infrastructure Disruption of social networks Mistrust between groups

Reintegration ofrefugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) Impact of military andcivilian deaths

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 5: Developing an Analysis of Key Actors

Purpose: An attempt to reach aconsensus on the background of the context

Principal actors or actor groups - as part of the initial analysis of the post-conflict context, develop a list of actors and groups. The list can be adapted and refined to include the major and most significant

groups. The following categories can help guide the process.

Political

Parties

Regional and international

institutions

Grassroots institutions Traditional leadership etc.

Security/Military ^Economic Armies and government

supported militias Rebel groups Peacekeepers

Mercenaries Police

• Local and national businesses

• Transnational Corporations

• Individual entrepreneurs

• Regional and international

financial institutions

Distinguishing characteristics ofactors and actor groups

Identify the characteristics of the primary actors and actor groups in the post-conflict context:

• What is their political stance?

. Do they favour or support aparticular group of people? If so, what are their motives?

• Are they pro-settlement, neutral, or against?

• What are their economic goals?

• Howhave their priorities changedover time?

. What kind of organization or individuals are they in relation to the post-conflict processes of

peace-building, livelihoods and service delivery?

. Do their actions tend to be those of 'dividers' or connectors'?

In this context, the following definitions apply:

Dividers: actors or entities which accentuate divisions in a society and push it towards violence and

possible conflict.

Connectors: actors or entities which accentuate connectivity in a society and preserve the peace and

work in the best interest of the masses.

The following exercise provides guidelines for profiling and analysing various key actors

Participants should work in small groups (2-4 people) to effectively complete the table below. All par ticipants should then regroup to share their table and fill in alarger table (preferably displayed on aflip

chart). After filling in the chart, discuss as a large group why certain descriptions and decisions were

made to describe the actors.

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

What is their Do they favor Are they pro- Do their political or support settlement, actions tend

stance? a particular against or to be those of What is their group of neutral? 'dividers' or

economic people? 'connectors'?

situation?

Military

Police

Rebel Groups

Peacekeepers

Transnational

Corporations

Domestic busi ness groups

Political parties

International Fi nance Institutions

Other

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 6: Several Elements for Conflict Diagnostic

Purpose: To facilitate the design of aConflict Diagnostic Framework that enables planners to make strategic choices and define entry points for response by assessing conflict and peace factors and con

ducting a stakeholder analysis.

Intended users: Community development practitioners seeking to mainstream peace and conflict anal

ysis into theirlong-term development programmes

Conceptual assumptions: The Conflict Diagnostic Framework is based on the assumption that the identification of key indicators/stakeholders, the definition of scenarios / objectives, and the unpack ing of strategic issues, together set the stage for acomprehensive (and evidence-based) peace-building

strategy.

The framework is not aimed at assessing the impact of a particular project on the peace and conflict dynamics in asociety nor to fully cover programme implementation issues.

Main steps and suggested process

For each step there is atable that needs to be completed that reflects the components of the analysis in

each step.

Step 1: Conflict Diagnostic Framework Step 2: Conflict analysis

Step 3: Peace analysis Step 4: Stakeholder analysis Step 5: Scenarios and objectives Step 6: Strategic issues and choices Step 7: Peace-building recommendations Guiding questions/indicators

Step 1: Conflict Diagnostic Framework

This has a series of assumptions as part of its rationale:

. Conflict indicators, peace indicators and stakeholders need to be identified for conflict analysis;

• Trends in key conflict/peace indicators and stakeholders need to be analysed in order to be able

to identify likely scenarios;

. Scenarios can be easily translated into objectives, thus rooting peace-building objectives in real

ity;

• In order to define responses to conflict, the following strategic issues need to be considered: the main conflict indicators and the synergies among them; any gaps inpeace-building; and strate gic choices to be made byresponding institutions.

Step 2 and 3: Conflict analysis and peace analysis

The following guiding questions are used for these two steps:

• Have you considered indicators at all levels (local, national, international)?

• Have you considered indicators that relate to political, economic, social, and security issues?

• Have you considered the relative importance of historic, present and future indicators?

• Are your indicators reflective only of the current phase of the conflict (pre-conflict, actual con

flict, post-conflict)? Ifso, please consider whether other phases are relevant.

• Are the indicators you selected important both interms offacts and perceptions?

• Do the indicators selected reflect the concerns of different sectors of the population (women, elderly, poor, children, rich, etc.)?

Building Capacity ofNational Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries •

Step 4: Stakeholder analysis

The same guiding questions as above, plus the following:

• Peace agendas: what visions of peace do the stakeholders have? What kind of peace do they want? What are the main elements of their peace agendas (land reform, national autonomy)?

• Capacities: what capacities do the stakeholders have to support conflict prevention and peace-

building or to otherwise affect it?

• Implications for peace-building: strategic conclusions: what implications does this analysis have

for pursuing structural stability and peace-building?

Step 5: Scenarios and objectives The guiding questions are:

• What are trends in key conflict indicators/synergies, peace indicators, and stakeholder dynam

ics?

• What is your judgment about best/middle/worst-case scenarios when considering the overall

(conflict, peace, stakeholder) picture?

• What optimal and contingency objectives can you draw from the best and worst case (respec

tively) scenarios?

Step 6: Strategic issues and choices The guiding questions are:

• In view ofthe full analysis, review identified conflict synergies. Are they complete?

• Assess the initiatives ofother agencies and the capacity and comparative advantage ofone's own

agency in the different fields (governance, economic, socio-cultural and security).

• In view ofthe previous questions, are key peace-building gaps adequately defined?

• Specifically look at your capacity in different fields (political, economic, social, security) at all levels (local, regional and international). What can be mobilized to impact on conflict synergies

and peace-building gaps?

Step 7: Peace-building recommendations

Once the recommendations have been identified, they need tobe looked at in terms of:

• The overall peace-building objectives

• Coherence of the strategy

• Who should be involved

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

I

Tool 7: Capabilities and Vulnerabilities Analysis

The basis of the CVA framework is a simple six-box matrix for viewing people's vulnerabilities and ca

pacities in three broad, inter-related areas: physical/material; social/organizational and motivational/

attitudinal.

Purpose: To create auseful and holistic assessment ofthe conflict or post-conflict situation by identify

ingthe following threestages:

Step 1: Identifyingpotential'threats'

Step 2: Identifying social vulnerabilities (three characteristics make certain groups more vul

nerable than others: proximity and exposure, poverty and exclusion or marginalization) Step 3: Assessing capacities and strengths (physical/material, social/organizational, and skills

and attitudes).

Vulnerabilities

Physical/Material:

What Productive Resources, Skills and Hazards Exist/

Social/Organizational:

What are the relations

and organization among people?

Motivational/Attitudinal:

How does the com

munity view its ability to create change?

Capacities

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

I. Community Initiatives

Tool 8: Principles of Community Based Post-Conflict

Purpose: It is imperative for participants working on the community level to understand the principles that guide post-conflict reconstruction and community-level development.

The goal of post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building is to reduce peoples vulnerability by in

creasing their capacities to prepare for, tocope with and to mitigate the adverse effects ofconflict. Aware

and organized communities can work with local government to implement policies and programmes

that recognize peoples needs and interests and that promote a positive environment for economic and

political development.

Participation

• Community members are the main actors sustaining the Community Driven Development

(CDD) and Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR) process

• They also directly share in the benefits ofpost-conflict initiatives

• Participatory processes promote the involvement ofcommunity members particularly the most

vulnerable sectors and groups

• Identification ofpriorities, decision-making, implementation

• The community directly benefits from the post-conflict development process

Priorityfor the most vulnerable groups, families, and people in the community

• In the urban areas the most vulnerable sectors are generally the urban poor and informal sector

• In the rural areas, these are generally the subsistence farmers, fishing families, and indigenous

people; also more vulnerable are the elderly, thedisabled, children and women

"They just tell us who they want in committees. So we just recycle the same leadership from one committee to another; and then tell the NGO that we 'elected' the people in the way they asked.

We think ofthese committees as 'ready made jackets' that we have to weanThey don't promote ourinterests, and have nothing really to do with ourneeds; they are mainly to do what the NGO wants to do. We have to wear the jacket because we fear losing the support ofthe NGO, even if we are angry that we have to do things we wouldn't normally do, and plant things we wouldn't normally plant, we do not want to miss thethings we need if eventually they come with them. For

the things that are important to us, we mobilize our own groups and do the work that way". Partici

pant Men's and Elders focus group, Peters Town, Margibi County, 8/8/04. Paul Richards, Liberia

Post-conflict measures should be:

• Community-specific

• Identified through an analysis of the community's conflict risk (hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities andconsideration ofvarying perceptions ofconflict risk)

• Based on the community's felt and urgent needs

• Able to consider the community's perception andprioritization ofconflict risks andrisk reduc

tion measures

• Opento increasing local options and capacity

• Representing more meaningful popular participation in the decision-making that affects their

lives

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

. Achieving more control over the natural and physical environment

. Aware ofhow participation in CDD and CDR develops the capacity of community members to

participate in other development endeavours Existing livelihood mechanisms and capacities identified:

. Post-conflict initiatives that build upon and strengthen existing livelihoods strategies and ca

pacities .

. Most common social/organizational values and mechanisms such as cooperation, community/

people's organizations, and local knowledge and resources

Outside agencies have supporting andfacilitating roles:

. NGOs have supporting, facilitating and catalytic roles, some of which support greater commu nity resilience and improving local government capacity

. Local government's role is integral to enable and institutionalize the CDD and CDR process . NGOs and local governments can promote partnerships with less vulnerable groups and other

communities

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 9: Community Based Processes:

Use: It is imperative for actors on the ground to understand the best practices associated with commu

nity based processes. The flow chart below illustrates the steps necessary to engage in community-based

development successfully and holistically. Steps may slightly vary.

Communitycontexts and organizational mandates, however the process and requisites for post-conflict

initiatives can be generalized as follows:

Initiating the Process

linkage and building rapport with community community or outsiders rr

Community Profiling initial understanding ofthe conflict situation orient

Community Risk Assessment

£

people's perception of risks itory assessment of conflict factors,

vulnerabilities, and capacities

ormulation of Initial Post-Conflict Plan

community conflict reduction and post-conflict

managmement, development or action plan identity appropriate conflict mitigation &

preparedness measures: public awareness, training and education, action plan

Formation of Community Post-Conflict Reduction Capacity

community organizing and mobilization capability building in preparedness and mitigation, organizational development and

strengthening

«*

Implementation of Community Development Measures

implementation strategies and mechanisms organizational/institutional strengthening

«*<

Monitoring and Evaluation

continuous improvement of conflict reduction plan;

identity success factors &improve weak areas

documentation and dissemination ofgood

practices for replication Building Capacity ofNational Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 10: Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR)

Purpose: Identify the steps in afirst generation CDR process, which includes some or all of the follow ing, and introduce the main elements of the CDR project cycle.

Sensitizing and mobilizing the community on program objectives

Facilitating establishment if needed of democratically elected representative

community development committees and committees (CDCs) ^^

Building capacity of committees, associations, local governments and technical line

ministries and creating linkages with all stakeholders including government where possible

Assisting CDCs to define priority service and livelihood goals reflective of community

wishes and with consideration to special needs populations or conflict-risk potential

Providing small grants for identified sub-projects and supporting CDCs to present new projects for support by either CBOs or the local government;

Ensuring viable monitoring by communities and civil society agencies who oversee

works or projects and report back on progress ^^_

Supporting processes to monitor and financial transactions and provide account to

the community

Developing a full-scale monitoring and evaluation plan that includes data collection

and analysis necessary to attribute program impact. ____

Building Capacity ofNational Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

I I: Community D

Project Cycle

The basic CDR project cycle has approximately four phases: Programme Design; Programme Implementation; Monitoring and Evaluation; Planning for Second Generation Programming.

Details of key programme considerations are as follows:

1. Programme Design

• Who are the stakeholders? How will they beinvolved?

• What data should be collected?

• What sites should be selected for implementation?

• What isthe size ofthe sites or target populations?

• What staff are needed andhow many?

2. Programme Implementation Staffing

• How would local staff be recruited?

• What initialtraining is provided and in what areas?

Stakeholders and communities

• What stakeholders exist, how much are they involved and in what capacity?

• What orientation is givenfor leaders?

• What information is provided to communities regarding the programme and its major goals

and objectives?

Governance structure

• What is the form ofinstitutional structure that CDR seeks to create - formal or informal, and short or long-term?

• Are new groups selected or are existing community groups chosen to implement the CDR pro

grammes?

• Who should be included in community committees?

• If electing, what methods of elections to use?

• What are the criteria for voters?

• What are the criteria for candidates?

• What are the responsibilities of committee members?

• What are the mechanisms for transparency and accountability?

CDR planning

How to involve excluded groups in participatory planning?

What exercises are needed for the planning?

How are the project eligibility criteria established?

How will the projects be selected?

Financial allocations?

Who proposes, selects and isgiven funding for projects?

Who allocates funds to implementers?

What is the appropriate size ofblock grants and schedule ofpayments?

What are the best accountability/transparency mechanisms?

ity Driven Reconstruction (CDR)

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

. What mechanisms should beused for monitoring progress?

. Whatshould the communities' roles be in monitoring?

. At what stage should reporting be undertaken?

. How are the community and funding sources informed of progress respectively?

. How can lessons learned be incorporated into the next phase of the project cycle?

Use- The table below is one outline ofhow to assess programme design locations for community driven reconstruction initiatives. After discussing the questions above, begin to fill out the table below in small

groups (4-6 people).

Program Design Locations Data to be collected

Characteristics of sites for implementation

Size of target population Staff required

Stakeholders Communities

Governance

CDR planning

Site A Site B SiteC Site D

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 12: Community Driven Development (CDD) and Community Driven Reconstruction (CDR)

What is CDD?

Community-driven development (CDD) is an approach that gives control of development decisions and resources to community groups. CDD operations have proven successful at reaching and em powering communities, delivering cost-effective infrastructure, enhancing livelihoods, and improving community dynamics. The table below is aresource to assist in understanding what CDD looks like in

different situations based on the status and context ofthe conflict.

Characteristics ofconflict-affected countries and CDD responses

Context

Policy

Environment

Institutional Environment

Operational

Environment

Community

Environment

Openin

Opening violence,

violations of cease-fire agreements, complex human emergency

Meeting emergency

humanitarian needs

Militarized, weak and illegitimate government , large role for CSOs in humanitarian assistance

Quick impact projects to meet basic and urgent needs, rapid discernment for community social service provision

Distrust insecurity displace populations social turmoil poverty

Status of Conflict

I-2 years after onset of

peace

Peace agreement and stabilization with possible localized or intermittent, demobilization and reintegration of ex- combatants and return and

reintegration of refugees Imperative to effect tangible peace dividend by a focus on service delivery High donor funding, weak government, complex

coordination between

government, civil society and donor organizations,

restart of rural institutions

for banking, legal and social

services

Need for flexibility to meet a variety of needs, improve assessments and analytic

work

Return of refugees and ex-combatants security dominates agenda high levels or residual anger

continued antagonism

Building Capacity ofNational Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Stabilization 3+ years of

peace

Post - conflict reconstruction, social, economic and political

transformation

Poverty reduction

strategies/PRSPs, revitalized democratic discourse Decentralization

Decrease in role of

external agents in security and service delivery, growth of government-run institutions, institutional reform and capacity building

Longer programme time frames, more systematic administrative procedures, scaling up revised and consolidated targeting

criteria

Rebuilding trust and capacity to trust, re establishing economic linkages, redefining social ethnics, possible formal grievance redress judicial

process

Quick impact services delivery, principles of accountability

CDD and transparency

Objectives established, conflict resolution community- based facilitators, local implementing partners

Status of Conflict

Rapid disbursement of sub-project funds directly to communities, targeting those affected by war,

local-level capacity building, establishing community representation structures

Sustainable infrastructure and service delivery, establish foundation for

greater political interaction and good governance, building links with local and central government to take programme responsibility, capacity building for government and civil society;

coordinated approaches, ensuring local inclusion and representation, building

local cohesion and conflict resolution and community capacity for managing project funds

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 13: E

Community Community

Contributing to Post-Conflict Driven Development (CDD) and

i

Table Use: The blank tables below should be used in the brainstorming activity with participants in or der to best prepare for CDD and CDR. Based on the specific context and objectives, the facilitator may

change some ofthe headings, adding and omitting where useful.

Tabular format for CDD and CDR brainstorming

Empowerment Opportunities avail able to people and

communities...

Capabilities of people

and communities...

to participate effec tively in governance, service provision, and private sector growth

Empowerment

Local Governance

Popular participation in planning and other decision processes Decision-making ar rangements (allocation of authority)

Enforcement of rules governing official and private action Accountability of decision-makers, implementers, and rule

enforcers

Service Provision

Resource mobiliza

tion and management (Financing, financial

management

Service delivery (Organization of service producers - public vs. private vs.

NGO vs. CBO — and performance improve ment)

Local context analysis of these elements

Local Governance Service Provision

Building Capacityof National Civil SocietyOrganizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Livelihoods

Improve economic infrastructure (general and targeted)

Improve human capital (general and occupational)

Improve local business climate (governance and strategic partner ships)

Livelihoods

Tool 14: Small-Scale Community Planning Processes

Purpose: Provide guidance on local planning processes

1. Contact local community leaders, local knowledgeable people and others to ensure their participa

tion in the session:

. Identify and arrange asuitable venue for conducting the session. The venue should have a

medium-sized room with capacity for sitting 10-15 people

. Contact each individual one day before the session mentioning date, time &venue

. Arrange all necessary materials required for conducting the session

. Collect necessary secondary (scientific and socio-economic) information from respective per

sons, offices or organizations

. Analyse available information to produce easily understandable graphs or charts, and . Agree on aprocess for filing the outputs to use at alater stage in the workshop.

. The facilitator should make all necessary arrangements before the participants come to the

venue

. Aco-facilitator should serve as rapporteur and take notes ofthe discussion.

2. Community Transact Walk (Familiarization Tour)

Objective: to gain clear understanding ofthe locality and its natural resources, land use, local problems,

prospects, etc.

Time: 3-4 hours

Materials: Community-created map with common physical features, notebook, pen/pencil

Participants: Knowledgeable persons having an idea about the community and local resources such

as ateacher or health worker and representatives of primary stakeholders(6-8 persons), and including women. Ifpossible, aseparate walk should be undertaken with anumber ofchildren and young people

to elicit their views and insights.

Guidelines and advice:

Try not to walk through the common communication routes because you will not get most of the fea

tures (e.g. rivers, crop fields, homesteads, bushes) along the walkway.

Process:

. The facilitator will seek to build rapport with the community through field visits and informal

discussions prior to the walk.

. Walk slowly to be able to identify each issue/feature clearly.

. Ask questions during the process ofwalking through the community in ways where you can get clear ideas about the locality and its social context, natural resources, land use and land access,

plant and wildlife biodiversity

. Seek out details on specific issues: how do they define it? What is the background? Who are the key individuals involved? How have things changed due to the conflict?

. What are the primary levels oflocal government in the community and how do people relate to

the local government?

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Tool 15: Community Development Plans

Purpose: Introduce how the key steps in community planning will vary from community contexts and organizational mandates, but the main process areas for post-conflict community planning should be

generalized as follows:

1. Initiating the process - building rapport with community; community organizations, government

officials or NGOs may initiate this effort.

2. Communityprofile -initial understanding ofpost-conflict situation and orientation on priorities of

the community.

• Inclusion. Community level priorities may not always be consistent with broader societal goals e.g. equity, efficiency and sustainability, and processes may exclude women, youth and/or disa bled people. Community-based approaches have the potential to improve targeting in general, but major challenges surround targeting vulnerable groups within communities.

3. Community risk assessment - participatory assessment of hazards, vulnerabilities, capacities and

peoples perception of risks.

• Problem identification: There is broad agreement that community-based approaches have the

potential to be more responsive tothe needs and priorities ofbeneficiaries. However communi

ties face challenges in terms of identifying solutions, which means that adaptive process tools

are often necessary resources for community-based efforts.

4. Formulation ofinitial community developmentplan - community disaster risk reduction and disas ter management, development or action plan; identification ofappropriate mitigation and preparedness measures including public awareness, training and education and an action plan:

• Identifying solutions: problems experienced at community level sometimes requires additional external technical support to facilitate informed decision-making (an area for NGO involve ment). Important issues surround the design of an appropriate menu' of service options which

balances the needs and demands ofbeneficiaries with the constraints ofthe context.

5. Formation ofcommunity development capacity - community organizing and mobilization, capabil

ity building in development and livelihood strengthening:

• Enabling environment: Akey determinant of the potential and limits of community-based de velopment is the existence of an enabling environment' (hence, the key role of participation) which supports identification of appropriate solutions, guides decisions on optimum levels of provision, ensure maintenance of minimum standards, and respond flexibly to changing de

mand for services over time.

6. Implementation- short-, medium- and long-term measures, activities, projects and programmes are targeted as implementation strategies and mechanisms including for organizational/institutional

strengthening.

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries

Initiating the Process

Community Profile

Community Risk

Assessment

Initial Community Development Plan Community

Development Capacity

Implementation Steps

Monitoring &

Evaluation

Maintaining Minimum

Standards

Summary of

Information

Acquired

Summary of Goals

7Monitoring and evaluation -continuous improvement of community development plans; identifica

tion of success factors and improvement of weak areas; documentation and dissemination of good

practices for replication.

8. Maintaining minimum standards -it is important that community-level interventions are comple mented and guided by alarger system of standards to ensure quality and viability.

Building Capacity of National Civil Society Organizations in Post-Conflict Countries