Recent Projects
Umurage w’Ejo (“The Legacy for Tomorrow”): Land and Livelihood in Rwanda
Land issues are a major cause of conflict in Rwanda, which has the highest population density in Africa and a heavy dependence on agriculture. In the last five years, the value of land in Rwanda has ballooned, cutting off many people from traditional ways of earning a living. Domestic and community conflicts often arise about property rights within families and between neighbors. We seek to build peace and mitigate future conflict through three main avenues: dialogue, media, and community.
With funding from the Non-State Actors of the European Union and Local Authorities in Development at USAID, we have been strengthening relationships between local authorities, media, and marginalized groups—all aimed at improving land implementation and livelihood policies. Media tactics such as training journalists, producing radio shows, and forming listeners clubs have increased knowledge about conflict topics tied to land management. An initial evaluation has found that, following our work, 93 percent of participants were aware of the government’s policies on the decentralized implementation of land and livelihood policies. By tackling this key driver of conflict, we can promote peaceful communities.
“After listening to this [Search for Common Ground] program, I decided to start my own business with 200,000 Rwandan francs, which was borrowed. In a space of one-and-half years, my business has become worth 6,000,000 francs and I’m now employing two other workers. For sure this programme can help the youth out of joblessness.”
—a 27-year-old man in Karongi district
Enhancing Capacity in Natural Resource Management and Conflict Resolution for Stability and Inclusive Growth in the Greater Virunga Landscape
The Greater Virunga Landscape encompasses multiple protected areas in the border region between Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With fertile soil and plentiful wildlife, the wider Virunga area attracts many small-scale farmers and fishers, mostly around Lake Eduard. However, long stretches of political turmoil and civil wars have exacted a tremendous toll on all people living around Virunga—as well as the biodiversity and wildlife populations roaming through the different protected areas.
Since 2017, we have worked in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Ghent University to mediate conflicts arising in the Great Lakes Region through education, training, and research services in natural resources management. Past training sessions have included community leaders, civil society organizations, government officials, and corporations.
Terre d’Entente (“Land of Understanding”)
Financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, this project has aimed to raise awareness about land issues and the conflict that sometimes results. We have reached people in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda, collaborating with government partners, civil society actors, leader associations, and community radio stations.
We have focused on the local level, strengthening ties between civil society and government authorities. Through rapid-impact micro-projects, we have tried innovative approaches to community conflicts. By engaging with land ministries, we have amplified this work at a national level. Our evaluations, in English and French, capture our results.
Duteze Imbere Ubutabera (“Access to Justice”)
In Rwanda, gender-based violence and issues of land inheritance plague many communities and challenge systems of justice. In collaboration with Chemonics International, EDF Consulting, Transnational Development Associates, and local organizations, we work to increase access to justice for traditionally marginalized Rwandans, including women, children, youth, and people with disabilities.
Through community dialogues and public education campaigns, we have reached over 765,000 Rwandans with information about legal rights, judicial processes, and the Abunzi mediation system, and we have connected over 48,000 Rwandans with legal aid services. Our trainings have involved over 2,800 Abunzi and over 3,700 justice sector actors—whether community leaders, civil society members, or staff at government institutions. Through these tactics, we are increasing public understanding of the justice system.
Ubufatanye mu Miyoborere: Advancing CSO-led Participatory Governance in Rwanda
Since the genocide in 1994, Rwanda has made impressive strides on economic stability, women’s empowerment, health, and education, but sharp challenges remain—especially the participation of young people in local politics and role of the media in strengthening governance. We are working in partnership with the Rwanda Scouts Association and three community radio stations—Radio Ishingiro, Radio Isangano, and Radio Izuba—to support Rwandan civil society organizations in advancing more inclusive, responsive governance.
Our strategy is to partner with young researchers, exploring topics such as fiscal transparency and budgeting processes. Training sessions on the Common Ground Approach and advocacy skills help these researchers to approach local officials with confidence. A final evaluation of the project finds that 91 percent of civil society participants have gained confidence in their ability to advocate for good governance, while 94 percent of trained Scouts and 88 percent of civil society participants believe that their research and advocacy skills will help them to support local government decision-making.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PAST PROJECTS
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