Burundi:
The PeaceTech Classroom & Waves of Peace
This past spring, we launched the PeaceTech Classroom in Burundi, a program offering a robust curriculum on media literacy, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution for Burundian youth. Spearheaded by our wonderful partner Sister Concilie, what began at a single school has already expanded to two additional schools, reaching a total of 424 students. In the upcoming months, it is expected to reach two more schools, impacting an additional 362 students. To further expand our impact, Burundian radio show “Radio Maria” broadcasts the core lessons, making them accessible across the country.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo:
Thierry’s Project & Communities of Peace
Later last summer, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in partnership with AJEDI-Ka, Thierry’s Project supported the demobilization of 54 child soldiers. These children were accompanied through the reintegration process with their families and communities and are now pursuing paths they have chosen for themselves, such as animal husbandry, schooling, and dressmaking. Unfortunately, following the takeover of Uvira by M23 in December, AJEDI-Ka staff have faced severe access constraints and displacement, limiting their ability to conduct direct field visits. AJEDI-Ka has remained dedicated to maintaining contact where possible, and full programming will continue when the political situation allows.
Alongside reintegration efforts, community-led mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution have remained active and resilient. Peace clubs are community-based groups that met weekly in villages across South Kivu, providing structured spaces for dialogue, mediation, and collective local problem-solving. Remarkably, new peace clubs have continued to form across South Kivu, mediating leadership disputes between local chiefs, facilitating agreements between herders and farmers over livestock damage, and helping resolve conflicts among merchants in local markets.
The Applied Peace Network: US & The Philippines
We are also proud to share the continued success of the Applied Peace Network (APN), formerly known as the Aspiring Peacebuilders Seminar. In July, the U.S. seminar brought together 10 participants to explore the intersection of peace and technology through guest lectures, field visits, and collaborative workshops, culminating in a group capstone presentation.
In November, and in collaboration with KRIS for Peace, APN achieved its first global edition in the Philippines, marking an exciting milestone for the program. The seminar brought together eight participants from across the Philippines for a two week hybrid seminar. APN Philippines created space for participants to share their stories, experiences, and knowledge, while fostering meaningful dialogue and cross-regional understanding. The program culminated in capstone projects, where participants developed full proposals addressing real challenges in the Philippines, complete with budgets, strategies, and monitoring plans. Two participants qualified for grants to advance their projects in continued partnership with KRIS for Peace and the Innovations in Peacebuilding team.
Moving forward, and in 2026 IP plans to launch APN Seminars in Burundi, Kosovo, India, and possibly South America.
Looking ahead to 2026, we enter the year with clear ambition and momentum. We aim to expand the reach and deepen the impact of the PeaceTech Classroom and APN Seminar. In the DRC, we continue to move steadily toward our long-term goal of ending the recruitment and use of children as soldiers in South Kivu province.
We are deeply grateful to build this work alongside you. Your continued support, trust, and engagement make you an integral part of what we are creating together. We look forward to advancing these shared goals in the year ahead.
Brianna Seaner
Communications Manager
Innovations in Peacebuilding
