Interpeace

Interpeace is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization working in close partnership with the United Nations that assists societies torn by war to overcome conflict and to build lasting peace. Interpeace has 15 years of operational experience in supporting locally-led peacebuilding processes in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Interpeace partners with local organizations who take the lead in designing an operational strategy and implementing a peacebuilding programme that is adapted to their local context. The backbone of these peacebuilding processes is typically a process of action-oriented and research-supported dialogue with all sectors of society to: a) identify the main peacebuilding priorities within a country, as seen by the people of that country, and b) empower local people to develop creative and innovative solutions to address these priorities. The broad-based analysis and definition of solutions ensures that local ownership and commitment to maintaining and sustaining the peace is high. Interpeace provides ongoing operational support and guidance to its local partners as well as support on institutional infrastructure, management, administrative and financial systems to build the capacity of the local organizations for the long-run. Interpeace is supporting programmes in the Somali Region, Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Timor-Leste, Israel, Palestine, Cyprus Guatemala, a regional programme on youth gangs in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, and a programme on post-conflict constitution making. Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva Switzerland, with regional offices in Kenya and Guatemala and representation offices in Belgium and the US.

The International Peacebuilding Alliance (Interpeace) is dedicated to building lasting peace by reinforcing the capacities of societies to overcome deep divisions and to address conflict in non-violent ways. We are rooted in local realities, drawing strength from an alliance of national teams with a longterm commitment to building peace in their own societies. We believe in the wisdom of listening, the power of participation and the strength of informed dialogue to build understanding and trust – the foundations of peacebuilding. Interpeace has a dual mandate to: 1. Assist societies torn apart by war to overcome conflict and build lasting peace. 2. Support the United Nations and the international community in their efforts to build peace and prevent renewed conflict in cooperation with local and national actors.

Processes to strengthen the capacities of societies to manage conflict in non violent ways.

  • Civil Society
  • Community Conflict Resolution
  • Defence Institutions
  • Development of a Constitution
  • Elections
  • Gender
  • Good Offices and Peace Support
  • Judicial and Legal Reform
  • Law Enforcement Institutions
  • Local Governance
  • Public Administration and Government Strengthening
  • Security Sector Governance

Community Conflict Resolution
Interpeace’s strategic value is its ability to facilitate processes that empower local actors to become internal change agents and political facilitators that address the real issues and peacebuilding needs affecting their society. Interpeace teams involve all actors within a society in these processes, from the grassroots to government actors, in such a way as to “compress the vertical and horizontal distance” between politicians and their people. Its specific added values consist in 'local capacities', 'local ownership', 'process facilitation rather than project implementation', 'long term engagement', 'a convener role inclusion of all relevant actors and stakeholders', strengthening social and political capital (trust) and facilitating and encouraging collaborative action across divides to find consensual solutions for societal challenges.
Between 50.000 to 1 million CHF per annum
  • Capacity and development training
  • Direct project implementation
  • Financial support
  • Policy advice
  • Project support services
  • Research and policy development
Description of activities
Interpeace provides foundational training in the Interpeace approach and key methodological tools; institutional development support; subsequently and if needed also strengthening of capacities in fundraising, evaluation and other areas. At the same time the experienced partner teams themselves become resources that can support new partner teams. / All programme countries
The core strategy of Interpeace is to support local capacities for peace - hence it is the partner team, entirely made up of members of the society concerned, that is in the driving seat. Throughout Interpeace provides continued accompaniment in what remains a 'joint programme' though the Interpeace role changes over time. / All programme countries
The majority of programme funding is raised by and channeled through Interpeace. All programme funding is subject to audit by an internationally recognized audit firm. / All programme countries
One frequent output of multiple stakeholder thematic working groups are policy recommendations and proposals that may be translated into 'white papers', legislation etc. Clear evidence for this in Guatemala (democratic security); Puntland (public expenditure allocation); Somaliland (electoral procedures) etc. / All programme countries.
Interpeace can provide practical support with fundraising, donor relations, general external communications, safety and security management, capturing and structuring learning, capturing and articulating impacts; preparing for evaluation etc. / All programme countries
Interpeace uses participatory action research to enable local stakeholders to examine the most pressing issues facing their society and to define their own needs, problems and priorities. Its key components are inclusive dialogue and research to ensure that dialogue is rooted in facts and knowledge rather than in power structures. In the process the policy capacities of several stakeholders are strengthened, and new policy options developed. Interpeace teams have had strong influence in various policy debates in Guatemala, the Somalia region, Rwanda, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories / All countries where we support peacebuilding programme.

Civil Society

Security Sector Governance
  • Africa
    • Eastern Africa
      • Rwanda
      • Kenya
      • Burundi
      • Somalia
    • Western Africa
      • Liberia
      • Guinea-Bissau
  • Americas
    • Caribbean
      • Haiti
    • Central America
      • Honduras
      • Guatemala
      • El-Salvador
    • North America
      • United States of America
  • Europe
    • Western Europe
      • Switzerland
      • Belgium
    • Southern Europe
  • Asia
    • Western Asia
      • Palestine
      • Israel
      • Cyprus

Burundi

Sectors of activity: 
Community Conflict Resolution
Political Parties
Civil Society
Types of activity: 
Research and policy development
Policy advice
Direct project implementation
Financial support
Capacity and development training
Project support services
Description: 

In 2008, the Burundi programme run by Interpeace and its Burundi partner – the Centre d’Alerte et de
Prévention des Conflits (CENAP) – completed its first phase of country-wide consultations on the
obstacles to lasting peace. The CENAP team involved more than 2,200 Burundians from across the
country and from different backgrounds - including people who were reluctant to meet with each other -
to identify the remaining obstacles to lasting peace.
“Challenges to Lasting Peace – Burundi Self-Portrait”
The findings of these extensive focus group discussions were published in a document entitled
“Challenges to Lasting Peace – Burundi Self-Portrait” and in a one-hour video documentary (as the
focus group discussions are all videotaped). The 138-page long document “Challenges to Lasting Peace
- Burundi Self Portrait” is available in French and the video is available with French subtitles.
Mandate received by national forum
In October 2008, Interpeace and CENAP brought together 200 key stakeholders from the government,
security forces, political parties, media, academics, civil society at a National Forum to present what
Burundians from all walks of life see as the main challenges to peace. The National Forum selected the
following peacebuilding challenges as issues needing to be addressed in priority:
- Disarmament of civil population: How to mobilize the population regarding disarmament
initiatives? How to reconcile the governmental disarmament policy with the population’s
concerns regarding insecurity?
- Poverty and unemployment: Which creative and innovating ways could address the issue of
unemployment? What are the obstacles?
- Elections: How to manage the pre-election and election periods in order to ensure a smooth
process? What mechanisms can be put in place in order to make sure that election’s winners
and losers accept the results and do not prevent the public institutions from functioning?
- Transitional justice: What are the deep causes of the lack of consensus on transitional justice
mechanisms? How to prevent tensions from arising from the transitional justice process? How
can the national process of transitional justice build on local initiatives of reconciliation?

Guinea Bissau

Sectors of activity: 
Security Sector Governance
Community Conflict Resolution
Local Governance
Political Parties
Civil Society
Types of activity: 
Research and policy development
Policy advice
Direct project implementation
Financial support
Capacity and development training
Project support services
Description: 

Interpeace, in partnership with INEP (Instituto Nacional de estudos y pesquisa) and at the request of
UNOGBIS, launched VOZ DI PAZ (The programme of Dialogue, Research and Building Consensus
in Guinea-Bissau) in 2005. After completing a number of preparatory steps including the identification
of key persons within Bissau-Guinean society and the constitution of a team within INEP, a peace
mapping phase broad based and wide ranging discussion was initiated. This Peace Mapping Phase
has reached all parts of the country and led to the establishment of a National Orientation Committee
(composed of 200 representatives from all walks of life), 10 focus groups/debating and discussion
spaces in the regions and a 1 in the capital city, and the training and deployment of 32 local facilitators.
A national dialogue around the question of the identification of obstacles to lasting peace has taken
place. In total approximately 5000 people participated in the consultations. Extensive consultations have
taken place since March 2007. These are currently being processed and put into form for a written and
audio-visual presentation.

Burundi

Sectors of activity: 
Community Conflict Resolution
Political Parties
Civil Society
Types of activity: 
Research and policy development
Policy advice
Direct project implementation
Financial support
Capacity and development training
Project support services
Description: 

In 2008, the Burundi programme run by Interpeace and its Burundi partner – the Centre d’Alerte et de
Prévention des Conflits (CENAP) – completed its first phase of country-wide consultations on the
obstacles to lasting peace. The CENAP team involved more than 2,200 Burundians from across the
country and from different backgrounds - including people who were reluctant to meet with each other -
to identify the remaining obstacles to lasting peace.
“Challenges to Lasting Peace – Burundi Self-Portrait”
The findings of these extensive focus group discussions were published in a document entitled
“Challenges to Lasting Peace – Burundi Self-Portrait” and in a one-hour video documentary (as the
focus group discussions are all videotaped). The 138-page long document “Challenges to Lasting Peace
- Burundi Self Portrait” is available in French and the video is available with French subtitles.
Mandate received by national forum
In October 2008, Interpeace and CENAP brought together 200 key stakeholders from the government,
security forces, political parties, media, academics, civil society at a National Forum to present what
Burundians from all walks of life see as the main challenges to peace. The National Forum selected the
following peacebuilding challenges as issues needing to be addressed in priority:
- Disarmament of civil population: How to mobilize the population regarding disarmament
initiatives? How to reconcile the governmental disarmament policy with the population’s
concerns regarding insecurity?
- Poverty and unemployment: Which creative and innovating ways could address the issue of
unemployment? What are the obstacles?
- Elections: How to manage the pre-election and election periods in order to ensure a smooth
process? What mechanisms can be put in place in order to make sure that election’s winners
and losers accept the results and do not prevent the public institutions from functioning?
- Transitional justice: What are the deep causes of the lack of consensus on transitional justice
mechanisms? How to prevent tensions from arising from the transitional justice process? How
can the national process of transitional justice build on local initiatives of reconciliation?

Guinea Bissau

Sectors of activity: 
Security Sector Governance
Community Conflict Resolution
Local Governance
Political Parties
Civil Society
Types of activity: 
Research and policy development
Policy advice
Direct project implementation
Financial support
Capacity and development training
Project support services
Description: 

Interpeace, in partnership with INEP (Instituto Nacional de estudos y pesquisa) and at the request of
UNOGBIS, launched VOZ DI PAZ (The programme of Dialogue, Research and Building Consensus
in Guinea-Bissau) in 2005. After completing a number of preparatory steps including the identification
of key persons within Bissau-Guinean society and the constitution of a team within INEP, a peace
mapping phase broad based and wide ranging discussion was initiated. This Peace Mapping Phase
has reached all parts of the country and led to the establishment of a National Orientation Committee
(composed of 200 representatives from all walks of life), 10 focus groups/debating and discussion
spaces in the regions and a 1 in the capital city, and the training and deployment of 32 local facilitators.
A national dialogue around the question of the identification of obstacles to lasting peace has taken
place. In total approximately 5000 people participated in the consultations. Extensive consultations have
taken place since March 2007. These are currently being processed and put into form for a written and
audio-visual presentation.

Interpeace
MEI 2
Chemin de Balexert 7-9, Chatelaine
Geneva CH-1219
See map: map.search.ch, Google Maps
http://www.interpeace.org
Non-governmental organisation
More than 10 years
Between 1 million to 50 million CHF per annum
52
MEI 2
Chemin de Balexert 7-9, Chatelaine
Geneva CH-1219
See map: map.search.ch, Google Maps
Headquarters

The headquarters is the central hub of Interpeace's programmes. It handles strategic vision, external relations, new programme development, learning, communications, analysis, resource mobilization and finance and administration.

19
Mr
Scott M. Weber
Director-General
Sarah Noble
External Relations Manager

Network

European Peacebuilding Liaison Office

Type: 
Formal
Type: 
NGO
Main purpose: 
Policy
Geographical scope: 
Other
Other: 
Global (based in Brussels)
Description: 

EPLO is the platform of European NGOs, networks of NGOs and think tanks active in
the field of peacebuilding, who share an interest in promoting sustainable peacebuilding
policies among decision-makers in the European Union. Interpeace was recently
elected by its peers as President of EPLO for two years.

Geneva peacebuilding platform

Type: 
NGO
Main purpose: 
Policy
Geographical scope: 
Geneva

Reflecting on Peace Practice

Type: 
Other
Other: 
Practitioner
Main purpose: 
Research
Geographical scope: 
Other
Other: 
Global (based in USA)
Description: 

A semi-formal network of practitioners and academics under a Collaborative for
Development Action Inc. 'programme'. Interpeace has benefited from its collective
learning, contributed to reflections on evaluating peacebuilding, and is likely to
contribute further to some country case studies that will seek to do a comprehensive
assessment of peacebuilding efforts there.

Partnership

International IDEA

Main purpose: 
Project Implementation
Description: 

IDEA is an international organization that supports stable democracy worldwide. Interpeace and IDEA are collaborating on a joint handbook for practitioners on postconflict constitution building.

Partner organisations: 
Other – Intergovernmental organization

KOFF-Centre for Peacebuilding

Description: 

Interpeace is a member of KOFF which was founded by the DFA of Switzerland and various Swiss NGOs to play an active part in ensuring that Swiss peace policy remains consistent in theory and practice.

Partner organisations: 
NGOs

United Nations

Main purpose: 
Other
Other: 
International partnership
Description: 

Interpeace works in close partnership with the United Nations. This relationship is
formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding and is carried out operationally through
the UN/Interpeace Joint Programme Unit (JPU). Interpeace can implement its type of
peacebuilding programmes with and through the UN where appropriate. It engages with
various UN agencies on country specific peacebuilding issues, such as in the context of a
peacekeeping mission. It is a partner with the UN Democracy Fund. It is engaging with
the Peacebuilding Commission, on country specific challenges and on good practices in
peacebuilding. It contributes and builds on 'good practice' learning also with the UN. It
periodically engages in exchanges and activities of the Democratic Dialogue Network,
hosted by UNDP.

Partner organisations: 
Project Implementation