Why are we running this project?
Locally-led approaches, and particularly those working on the intersection of conflict, climate change and environmental governance, have great potential to impact communities positively, but can be difficult to implement. We would like to foster exchange and joint learning between organizations and individuals working on similar challenges.
What are our goals?
We strive to facilitate locally-led approaches that address the nexus of conflict and climate change and/or environmental governance. Our program aims to enhance the peacebuilding capacities of local organizations in this field, and to empower them to design and implement activities based on a thorough assessment of their communities’ needs. We believe that the exchange with other organizations and individuals – who work in the same field and who may well encounter similar challenges – can contribute to an enhanced learning experience and long-lasting impact on the participating organizations.
As one of the organizing institutions of this support program, we seek to learn from our partners: We would like to better understand the needs of implementing organizations in the field, and how funding institutions can engage so that locally-led approaches and local actors succeed.
In addition, we recognize the need to give the topic around the intersection of climate change, conflict and environmental governance more visibility and to sensitize different stakeholders for the nexus and its implications, especially on a local level.
How does the program work?
The implementation of the individual projects started in March 2022. More detailed information on each project, its logic and goals are provided individually.
The projects’ activities are complemented by regional networking activities and exchanges organized by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, Orient Matters, and the Arab Reform Initiative, and will be tailored to the needs of the supported institutions and individuals. Thereby, next to virtual meetings, workshops are conducted that are designed for the participants’ benefit. The workshops consider their needs as well as aim at fostering mutual exchange and networking, sharing of experiences, and learning. In this regard, we see the workshops also as a possibility to enhance our knowledge to be able to even better support locally-led approaches and actors in future.
Where does the program take place?
The four chosen projects build two regional “hubs” that are located in Lebanon and in Yemen.
Who organizes and supports the project?
In this program, the Robert Bosch Stiftung cooperates with two partners:
Orient Matters (OM) is a Berlin-based research consultancy, focusing on analyses based on policy-oriented research as well as strategies for projects in the Middle East.
The Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) is an independent regional think tank working to articulate an agenda for democratic change, good governance and social justice in the Arab world.