Our Work:
Communities of Peace
DRC
Peace Clubs: Local Dialogue, Collective Action
In South Kivu, Peace Clubs operate at the community level, providing safe and structured spaces for community-led mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, dialogue, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving in highly volatile contexts. Meeting weekly, these groups bring together community members to address shared challenges, rebuild trust, and develop nonviolent responses to conflict. In 2025, three pilot Peace Clubs engaged approximately 130 participants and documented increased trust among members, demonstrating the power of consistent, community-driven engagement even amid escalating insecurity. New Peace Clubs are forming organically across the region.
Waves of Peace: Amplifying Peacebuilding Through Radio
Waves of Peace is a radio program designed to reinforce peacebuilding norms and encourage dialogue across eastern DRC. Broadcasting peace-focused content once per week, the program features guest speakers from diverse backgrounds who share messages of peace and community resilience. It also invites active listener participation through live call-ins and on-air discussions. Over a seven-week period, Waves of Peace recorded 35 unique callers, reflecting meaningful engagement despite access and security constraints. The program serves as a critical platform for shared reflection, information exchange, and collective resilience.
Resilience Under Pressure
Following M23’s takeover of Uvira in December, community-led peacebuilding has continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience. New peace clubs have formed 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. These efforts highlight the strength of local ownership and the capacity of communities to sustain peacebuilding initiatives even amid heightened insecurity and limited external access.
