Project Name: Regional Mainstreaming Process for the Local Capacities for Peace Approach (LCP)

Donor: Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Total Budget: Tk 27,30,000

Staff: Two

Duration: July 2005 to December 2008

Working Area: All three districts.

Participants : NGO staff and Executive Committee members, community leaders, women representatives, and local government representatives

Project Purpose:
To mainstream the ‘Do No Harm’ approach into the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of projects and other activities undertaken by organisations, institutions and individuals working in conflict or post-conflict settings

Project Summary: Since the signing of the CHT Accord in 1997, many local, national, and international NGOs have come forward to operate development activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.  The ‘Do No Harm’ approach provides tools for institutions and individuals in conflict or post-conflict settings, such as the CHT, to analyse the effects of their work and re-design their activities in order to encourage effective development and lasting peace.

Through LCP, TUS worked to orient local NGOs, community leaders, and women’s and local government representatives in Khagrachari on the Do No Harm approach.  Staff developed training modules and materials suitable for use in the CHT, and included local case studies, to help local leaders and communities understand the concepts and processes involved.  They also provided follow-up, mentoring and peer support for the participants, to ensure the trainings were as effective as possible.

In three years, TUS oriented more than 270 local development workers, NGO staff and executive body members on DNH, helping them to use the approach in the planning, design and implementation of development activities in the CHT.

TUS also organised trainings on DNH for 70 local women leaders of the CHT, 112 local government representatives, and more than 140 local community leaders.  The trainings helped local leaders build an understanding of Do No Harm and the dynamics and resolution of social conflicts.

Participants of all the trainings expressed their commitment to the use of DNH, and to their roles as local actors for peace.  TUS continues to be a member of the ‘Local Capacities for Peace’ network, and to apply DNH within its projects and activities, and facilitate workshops on the framework for other organisations.

Reference Contact Details:

Churches’ Auxiliary for Social Action
Rachna Building, 2 Rajendra Place
Pusa Road
New Delhi 110008
India