Local governance actors face enormous challenges in fragile and conflict-affected countries. Often, human and financial resources are scarce, the collaboration between the state and the citizens is weak, social cohesion and trust in society have deteriorated, and the central government is weak or absent.

Despite these challenges, local governance remains the level where the state and citizens interact. This provides an entry point for development assistance and inclusive governance to support sustainable peace. At the same time, several conditions are necessary for stability including the prevention of conflict, reduction of violence, strengthening the collaboration between the state and the citizens, social cohesion, delivering inclusive economic development, and accountable governance.

To discuss how local governance can be more effective in addressing the root causes of conflict and achieve resilient and sustainable peace,

Participants will be challenged on the following core questions:

• How can local governance promote conditions for sustainable peace?
• What lessons can be learnt from local governance actors ‘approaches to sustaining peace in different fragile settings?
• How can development partners improve the effectiveness of their support for local governance in fragile settings?
• In what ways can decentralisation contribute to sustaining peace and what is the specific role of local governments in this process?

The course will provide insights on the nexus between decentralisation, local governance and sustaining peace. Participants will compare and discuss the effectiveness of the different approaches used by development partners to support local governance in fragile and conflict-affected countries and how to make them more effective. Examples of lessons learned will include cases from the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Learning Objectives

This interactive course requires participants to actively exchange their experiences and engage with their peers on various topics. At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss the role of local governance in sustaining peace in fragile settings;
• Identify under what conditions decentralisation in fragile settings can contribute to sustaining peace;
• Identify governance approaches and modalities for local service delivery in relation to sustaining peace;
• Recognise the impact of peace interventions and the role of inclusive local economic development in fragile settings;
• Advise local government actors on how to create and maintain conditions necessary for sustainable and resilient peace; and
• Develop ideas for evaluating peace intervention at the local level to improve learning and accountability.
• After successful graduation from this course, you will receive a professional certificate of completion from The CeProd Academy for Governance.

Intended Audience

This training is designed for the staff of donor and development organisations, NGOs, ministries and local governments. It is also aimed at practitioners who wish to remain well-informed about the local dimensions of sustaining peace in fragile and conflict-affected settings.