We asked 400 peacebuilders from around the world: How have your lives and peacebuilding work been affected by the #COVID19 pandemic? Today we launch our new report on ‘COVID-19 and the impact on local peacebuilding’ produced in a collaboration between Conducive Space for Peace, Humanity United and Peace Direct, where we share the input from local peacebuilders.

The report underlines how the current crisis is exacerbating conflict dynamics, and in some places, reigniting violence and threatening peace processes. Regrettably, current responses to COVID-19 do not demonstrate adequate conflict-sensitivity or incorporate peacebuilding sufficiently into health and humanitarian responses to mitigate further harm.

Simultaneously, the crisis has opened opportunities for local peacebuilders to advance peace by adapting their programs to help curb the spread of the virus, maintain social cohesion, prevent violence, and sustain peace processes. By integrating their work to respond to the crisis, local peacebuilders play a vital role acting as trusted messengers, understanding and building relationships with different groups, actively making use of their experience with psychosocial trauma, and making long-term contributions to recovery.

Click the image above to read the full report presenting key findings and 8 practical recommendations on how to support local peacebuilders in these challenging times. Local peacebuilding efforts are proving to be needed now more than ever, and we need to jointly work to create an enabling environment for them to continue and adapt their work to the current context.