PMU Peaceful and resilient communities in Ethiopia 2023-2026

By December 2023, PMU and its partners had initiated the inception phase of the programme (1 October 2023 over 7 months) that will confirm target areas and communities and elaborate the result framework. All partners of this consortium are trained on compliance and approaches. By April 2024, the inception phase ended and resulted to - the project logic, including an updated project document and contextual analysis of project locations, a result framework, the consolidated project budget and the monitoring, evaluation, assessment and learning framework (MEAL); - the financial and administrative compliance of the staff and implementing partners, through training and establisment of systems; - the thematic capacity building of its staff, implementing partners and boundary partners. By December 2024, following results were met by PMU and its partners: - Outcome 1.1 Religious leaders across multiple locations have taken active roles in fostering peace and social cohesion. They organized community dialogues, reconciliation conferences, and unity retreats while integrating peace messages into sermons. Leaders supported conflict victims, reconstructed homes, and encouraged youth and women in peacebuilding. Some acknowledged past shortcomings and expressed repentance, while others advocated with political figures for stability. In Gambella, faith leaders now teach about trauma and peaceful coexistence, proactively engaging with disaffected youth. In Bensa, a major reconciliation conference led to the election of a follow-up committee to ensure long-term peace efforts. Their commitment is driving change. - Outcome 1.2. Women across various locations have played a critical role in peacebuilding, breaking cultural barriers and reshaping their communities. They organized trainings, mediated conflicts, and led dialogues that previously excluded them. In Gambella, women overcame social norms to engage in national peace conversations, while in Bensa and Bura, they actively disrupted violence. Groups in Nanssebo and Diga mobilized resources to support victims and marginalized individuals, and women in Meskan and Mareko contributed to IDP resettlement through cultural ceremonies and fundraising. Their efforts extend beyond formal peace initiatives, integrating messages of unity into daily interactions like coffee ceremonies and community gatherings. By forming networks and challenging harmful practices, women have become powerful agents of change, fostering stability and social cohesion. - Outcome 1.3. Youth across the project locations are actively engaging in peacebuilding, addressing conflict drivers like alcohol abuse and domestic disturbances. In Bensa and Bura, they reject hate narratives and promote reconciliation. Gambella youth ensure safe passage between districts, moving away from past violence. Nansebo and Kokosa youth foster unity through joint peace dialogues and football tournaments. Diga youth critically analyze conflict causes, distancing themselves from political tensions. Meskan and Mareko youth rebuild homes for IDPs and establish peace clubs in schools. Jimma youth mediate disputes, while Wolkite youth lead peace dialogues. In Bule Hora, youth resolved a water dispute, restoring access after five years. Their collective efforts are reshaping communities toward lasting peace. - Outcome 1.4. Traditional leaders have played a vital role in peacebuilding across Ethiopia. In Buno Bedele, they mediated a two-year conflict, reintegrating 30 disarmed youths. Gambellas "Landlords" facilitated reconciliation between Agnuak and Nuer communities, lifting movement restrictions. Kokosa and Nansebo leaders engaged in inter-ethnic dialogues, fostering empathy and cooperation. In Diga, leaders rehabilitated armed youth, though their perceived bias remains a challenge. East Meskan and Mareko leaders agreed to expose conflict instigators, breaking past norms of ethnic protectionism. Their collective efforts demonstrate the power of traditional leadership in fostering stability and unity. - Outcome 1.5. Evangelical and Pentecostal leaders are actively shaping peacebuilding efforts in Ethiopia. Thirty denomination leaders identified key agendas for the National Dialogue Commission, while 25 social media influencers enhanced their role in promoting peace online. A peacebuilding dialogue united elites from all regions, and leaders participated in the International Peace Day celebration. A PMU workshop emphasized the need for stronger advocacy, healing ethnic divisions, and leveraging Christian media to shape narratives on conflict resolution. - Outcome 1.6. PaRC has launched an early warning system to mitigate conflicts, piloted in Gambella with expert guidance from Kenya. The system categorizes conflict indicators into operational, structural, and systemic factors, addressing land disputes, governance failures, and transnational tensions. A database hosted by Hope University ensures secure data storage, while AfroReach facilitates SMS alerts. The pilot phase, starting in April 2025, will refine the system for broader implementation. This initiative aims to enhance conflict prevention and response, fostering sustainable peace. - Outcome 2.1. The HDP nexus approach early implementation focused on training local staff, mapping actors, and fostering dialogue for coordination. MoUs with universities in Jimma, Welkite, and Bule Hora support conflict analysis. In Diga, PaRC engages in the Zonal CSOs forum. Limited actors in Bensa and Bura prompted advocacy and private sector engagement. Strong collaboration with local governments facilitated IDP resettlement in Meskan and Mareko. PaRC also linked communities with partner projects, including WASH initiatives and youth development programs. - Outcome 2.2. Efforts to support livelihoods and recovery have progressed across Ethiopia. In Diga, beneficiaries received livestock, farming inputs, and entrepreneurship training. Gambellas Komo ethnic groups received farm inputs and goats. Sixty-eight youths in Jimma, Welkite, and Bule Hora trained in business skills and connected with microfinance institutions. Communities in Bensa and Bura mobilized resources to rebuild homes, support IDPs, and restore churches. - Outcome 3. Efforts to enhance project partners' capacity have focused on outcome-based monitoring, learning, and organizational development. Partners received extensive training in outcome mapping, reporting, and MEAL frameworks. Workshops covered key topics such as conflict sensitivity, finance, security, and peacebuilding entrepreneurship. Coordination meetings fostered knowledge-sharing, while targeted support strengthened financial management for YBCEDO. A self-assessment against core humanitarian standards is underway, guiding future capacity-building efforts. These initiatives aim to improve intervention quality and sustainability.

During the inception period that ended in April 2024, PMU and its partners revised the result framework and the narrative of Peaceful and Resilient Communites project (PaRC) bringing down the outcomes from 4 to 3 as follows: "The overall objective of the project is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable peace in Ethiopia by increasing social cohesion and enhancing peacebuilding engagement by religious leaders and communities, women and youth, on local, regional and national levels. The project also focuses on strengthening the capacity of programme providers and local peacebuilders to carry out peace work, including psychosocial support, and developing approaches and practices for quality interventions. There are three mutually reinforcing outcome areas: Outcome 1: Local actors in target communities affected by violent conflict are collaborating and engaging in peace building on local, regional, and national levels, contributing to conflict resolution, social cohesion, and psychosocial well-being. Outcome 2: Communities in conflict-affected areas are integrated in the programmes HDP nexus approach, leading to increased resilience against food and economic insecurity. Outcome 3: Programme providers capacity is enhanced, and approaches and practices are developed to strengthen the quality of interventions." PMU and partners articulated the following theory of change: "Communities that, through the support of PaRC, have: - intentionally reflected on the causes of conflict, - strengthened collaboration and social cohesion, - acquired skills and habits of peacebuilding as well as trauma healing, and - decreased stress about meeting basic needs, can resist and oppose conflict drivers."