Dialogues with Dexis | Bridging the Gap Between Local, Inclusive, and Conflict-Sensitive Programming Approaches

On December 19, 2023, panelists and Dexis moderator Andrew Sinclair explored how the integration of conflict sensitivity, gender equity and social inclusion (GESI), and localization enables more effective peacebuilding. All panelists are partners on Dexis’ Programming for Prevention and Peacebuilding (P4P2) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

Too often the foreign assistance community views and treats conflict sensitivity, GESI, and localization as discrete initiatives, relegating these principles to a box to check or tradeoff weigh. Across the peacebuilding practice, however, the principles underpinning these initiatives share common approaches and methods that are mutually reinforcing. Acknowledging this overlap, panelists drew on their experiences applying conflict sensitive, GESI and localization approaches in their work to identify practical methods for prioritizing diverse local perspectives and empowering communities to achieve better peacebuilding outcomes.

Nell Bolton, Technical Director for Equity, Inclusion, and Peacebuilding at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) set the stage by outlining how CRS considers cohesion, conflict, power, equity, inclusion, and safety in the program design phase to ensure responsive and tailored programming that fits local conditions and the societal context. Programming teams are encouraged to take a holistic and integrative approach to multisectoral assessments rather than considering each as a standalone exercise. Given the relationship between social cohesion, conflict sensitivity, GESI, and localization, CRS created a guide for practitioners that integrates these approaches to design and implement more responsive and effective programs.

Resource: Social and Power Dynamics Assessments: A Basic Guide for Busy Practitioners (Catholic Relief Services)

Khirad Kargasov, Civil Society and Partnerships Advisor at Saferworld, continued by discussing how Saferworld integrates conflict and gender sensitivity in practice through its local partnership approach. Engaging in local partnerships builds trust, facilitates the inclusion of marginalized groups impacted by conflict, and strengthens both the understanding of and responsiveness to communities. Saferworld continually works on advancing trust by advocating for the needed resources for local organizations and being sensitive of the power dynamics of programming inherent in the partnerships.

Resource: Turning the Tables: Insights from locally-led humanitarian partnerships in conflict situations (Saferworld)

Resource: Towards solidarity: Saferworld’s partnership journey (Saferworld)

Resource: Resourcing change: Supporting women’s rights organisations in fragile and conflict-affected states (Saferworld)

Ahmed Abdi Mohamed, Technical Advisor for CRS’ Nabadoon Reconciliation Activity provided an example of how to integrate these principles at the local level. Nabadoon, a USAID-funded people-to-people reconciliation activity combines GESI, localization, and conflict sensitivity by incorporating detailed and ongoing gender and conflict analyses as it empowers local peacebuilders. By prioritizing these principles throughout the program, women are now elevated to leadership roles where they continue to promote inclusion in major community discussions.

Resource: Video: Integrating Social Cohesion & Justice for Enhanced Development and Humanitarian Outcomes (Catholic Relief Services)

All three panelists underscored how conflict sensitivity, GESI, and localization build on and reinforce one another in peacebuilding, which requires a multisectoral mindset that prioritizes a nuanced understanding of local power dynamics, conflict conditions, and social inclusion.

Dialogues with Dexis brings together diverse practitioners in conflict prevention, stabilization, governance, and global security to discuss emerging trends and new innovations. To receive future event invitations from Dexis, sign up below.