Peace and development: promotion of state and civil society cooperation

Project description

Title: Supporting the Working Group on Peace and Development in Germany
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Global
Lead executing agency: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Overall term: 2018 to 2024

Context

Around a quarter of the world's population currently lives in fragile states affected by armed conflict. Crisis prevention and peacebuilding are therefore becoming increasingly important fields of action for German and international development cooperation. The promotion of peaceful, just and inclusive societies is anchored in the 2030 Agenda as an independent development goal (Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 16) and as a prerequisite for sustainable development. With the Federal Government’s Guidelines on Preventing Crises, Resolving Conflicts, Building Peace, the German Government has also presented a comprehensive framework for its commitment to peace policy. These agendas and guidelines all emphasise the importance of overarching partnerships.

Objective

Strategies and approaches for peacebuilding in the German and international context have been developed. The members of the Working Group on Peace and Development exchange views on peace policy issues across policy fields and are closely networked.

Approach

The project supports the network management and communication work of the Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt). It advises members on current trends and challenges in peacebuilding and provides funding for programmes.

 A steering committee is responsible for political steering. It sets strategic goals and priorities. The project team acts as a knowledge and learning platform. The team is currently working on international processes such as the 2030 Agenda, the German Government’s guidelines – particularly with regard to dealing with the past (transitional justice) and security reform – and land and prevention.

FriEnt currently has the following members: the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Brot für die Welt, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), the German Catholic Bishops’ Organisation for Development Cooperation (KZE)/Misereor, the Civil Peace Service (CPS) and the German Platform for Peaceful Conflict Management (PZKB)/Berghof Foundation. The working group works closely with other national and international organisations and networks and is a member of the steering committee of the Civil Society Platform on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding. It also works with the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ). All member organisations have long-standing partner relationships and experience of working in fragile and conflict-affected societies. 

Results

  • Through events, publications and networking with German and international actors, the project strengthened expert discourse on the subject of peace. Development and peace policy positions have been anchored in guidelines, particularly with regard to long-term and partnership-based approaches to peacebuilding and with regard to dealing with the past and reconciliation. 
  • The transitional justice strategy was developed across ministries. The project contributed to this by providing expert advice. 
  • Through the international FriEnt Peacebuilding Forum, for example, the project has ensured that member organisations and their partners from the global South are better networked with international actors and processes. The visibility of German actors, approaches and instruments in the field of peace and security in the international context has also been increased.