Local ownership, especially in fragile, conflict-affected, and non-permissive environments, is critical. So how can development donors and implementing partners bolster partner-driven strategies for sustainable development and meaningful change? Participants included both local and D.C.-based NGOs, community-based organizations, thought leaders, research and policy institutes, local governments, advocacy groups, and implementing partners who have moved the needle in the…
This case study focuses on changes in how the USAID/Ukraine Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Activity team manages their relationships with local partners, handles communications, and continues to learn and adjust to maintain progress in project activities in response to instability caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine. CLA approaches have helped AGRO adjust to changing…
Nearly 1 billion people around the world currently experience water scarcity and the number may rise to 2.4 billion people by 2050. Lack of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services can expose people to preventable health risks, trigger or exacerbate conflict, perpetuate inequality, and hinder participation in society. Why is “safe” access important?…
This report explores growing concerns surrounding climate change and conflict in Ghana. However, if sufficiently supported, Ghana exhibits resiliency factors that may be critical to the country’s long-term stability. This analysis is the product of a collaborative research effort between Chemonics International and CDA Collaborative Learning Projects.
On 26 July 2023, a group of Yemeni civil society organisations launched the Yemen Declaration for Justice and Reconciliation. This initiative, much needed for durable peace efforts, came out of the Yemen International Forum (YIF), which was held in June 12–15 2023 at The Hague. Having had the privilege of attending this year’s YIF, organised…
The USAID Ukraine Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities Activity (AGRO) was able to urgently reconfigure programming using beneficiary feedback and operational data to react to the most critical needs by introducing emergency response elements into its usual approach. Elements of this video have previously been featured by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations…
Alasdair Shott is a Senior Manager in the Chemonics UK team. He has worked across a range of UK-Aid funded programmes, focusing on supporting government and civil society in fragile and conflict affected environments. Previously, he served as Deputy Team Leader on the FCDO Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) programme and was a…
Complex conflicts across Africa and Asia are posing a significant threat to regional and international stability. These conflicts are influenced by various factors including vested interests of superpowers, strategic alignments of regional actors, political leadership, availability of resources, and the number of armed actors. This makes it difficult for conflict resolution actors and programmes to…
In complex environments with political challenges and evolving conflict dynamics, equitable access to water and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is increasingly critical and yet often constrained by ineffective or outdated governance systems. Not only are governance initiatives central to meeting the challenges that rapid urbanization poses for the provision of WASH services, but…
This policy paper assesses the impact of non-ideological risk factors on radicalisation and violent extremism, namely mental health and trauma. It argues that funding is needed for large-scale interdisciplinary research in this area. Prevention and deradicalisation programming will greatly benefit from a wider evidence-base of mental health-related vulnerability factors. Please find the paper linked here.
This blog post examines the role of mental health and conflict-related trauma in driving individuals towards embracing violent extremism. Please find the blog linked here.
This policy briefing note highlights principles for better embedding international and federal support for post-conflict social recovery within the local context. Please find the briefing paper linked here.