Project Description:

The “Inter-ethnic Reconciliation Project” will implement a series of distinct, but interrelated, peace building activities including: a) community-based social dialogues/meetings; b) high level “Political Round Table Conference”; and c) key follow-up actions. These activities aim to provide opportunities to improve inter-ethnic relations and reconciliation at the community and county levels based on validation/identification of key conflict issues.

Peacebuilding Impact:

This intervention will contribute to reconciliation and mitigation of violent conflict between the Mandingo and Gio/Mano ethnic groups in Nimba County. It aims to enhance social cohesion through focused dialogue around key conflict issues in Nimba County.

Outcome(s):

Key outcomes - Improved recognition and understanding amongst local communities of conflict issues in Nimba County.  Wider recognition amongst political leadership of peacebuilding challenges affecting county. Improved social cohesion and understanding amongst conflict actors/groups in Nimba County. Improved local capacity to respond to identified conflict issues. Foundation for durable peace and development is laid; and enhanced capacity of minority and majority Gio/Mano groups for conflict mitigation and reduction.

Outputs and Key Activities:

Key outputs - Identification/validation of key peacebuilding issues affecting Nimba county. Critical plan of action developed to build structures/processes which can respond to key issues. 30 members of peace committees trained in conflict transformation skills.  Strategy and momentum for increased community utilisation of Peace Huts including use by Peace Committee’s organised in this proposal.

Key activities –Facilitate social mobilization, convene community meetings, establish inter-ethnic county peace committee, organise round table conference, undertake follow-up actions derived from round table conference, link peace committee to community ‘peace hut’.

Indicator and Benchmarks:--Number of social dialogues undertaken by local people in Nimba County increased;

-Number of social interactions and coexistence in Nimba County increased

-%local capacities to envision and mitigate violent conflict in Nimba County increased.