Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies

Based on evidence from Mali, South Sudan and Syria, the project develops a toolkit to provide guidance on how to design, implement, monitor and evaluate projects along the HDP nexus that are based on local peace visions and consider capacities of local NGOs.

The humanitarian–development–peace (HDP) nexus was introduced following the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit to better link humanitarian assistance, development cooperation and peacebuilding in areas of protracted conflict and complex crises. Since then, donors and aid organisations have fostered the HDP nexus approach across many crisis contexts. Yet translating peace into practice—both conceptually and operationally—remains one of the central challenges of HDP nexus implementation.

Our previous project How can the HDP Nexus Succeed? (11/2021–03/2025) demonstrated that visions of peace can differ within and between communities and diverge from those held by international actors. But they are rarely assessed and considered for project planning. Moreover, power imbalances between local and international HDP nexus actors decisively influence which visions of peace are pursued locally and through what kind of activities. To date, local organisations are barely involved in decision-making processes along the project management cycle.

In this project, we aim to identify how local visions of peace can be integrated into HDP nexus operationalisation in ways that respond to diverse local needs. To this end, we work with partner NGOs to test instruments that capture local perceptions of peace and to address power imbalances in practical cooperation between local and international actors. As an output, we are developing a toolkit that makes the peace contribution of HDP nexus activities at the local level measurable and helps build locally led peace.

This project is currently in its second funding phase (01/2026–12/2027).

Previous funding phase: Power Relations of Peace (04/2025–12/2025).