Bridging Communities, Building Peace Together
The Protecting Our Communities Initiative (POCI) stands as a pioneering effort in fostering sustainable peace across 18 conflict-prone communities in Benue, Kaduna, and Zamfara States in Nigeria. Since its inception in 2019, POCI has successfully mediated over 700 disputes through inclusive dialogues, early warning systems, media advocacy, and capacity building, with a focus on empowering community-based organizations (CBOs) and community members.
POCI is a collaborative peace initiative between Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, Neem Foundation, Hope for the Village Child Foundation, Elohim Development Foundation and Voluntary Aid Initiative. The programme is designed to address critical gaps in peacebuilding by engaging local leaders, women, youth, and government officials. Our approach blends traditional conflict resolution methods with modern practices, including dialogue facilitation, mental health support, and strategic media and advocacy.
Our Values
We believe sustainable peace is built by empowering communities and promoting inclusivity across all voices. Through strong partnerships and a blend of traditional and modern approaches, we create adaptable solutions for lasting change. By embedding peace initiatives into community structures, we ensure that our impact endures long after our work is done.
Our Vision
Creating lasting peace and resilience through locally driven solutions, fostering trust among diverse groups, and building a roadmap for enduring community-driven security mechanisms.
Our Mission
To empower communities, especially women and youth, to take charge of their own peacebuilding efforts through the identification of early signs of conflict and a multi-faceted approach to early response that includes inclusive dialogues, mental health support, media engagement, and advocacy.
Our Approach
POCI empowers communities to address insecurity through robust Early Warning-Early Response (EWER) systems that include approaches to early response that best meet each situation, including structured dialogues to build trust and understanding across divides, psychosocial support to address trauma; advocacy to strengthen stakeholder support and investment; and robust messaging on radio and social media to promote a peacebuilding ethos and counter fake news. The POC approach also emphasizes capacity building for community members and community-based organizations that emphasize training, ongoing mentoring, and regular de-briefing. These components work in synergy to address complex conflicts, reduce violence, promote social cohesion, and empower communities.
early warning
Detecting early signs of rising tensions, such as resource disputes or communal unrest
early response
Early responses through reflective structured dialogues, provision of psychosocial support, advocacy and messaging
Capacity building
Equipping community members and organizations with the skills and resources needed to sustain peace and security
