Promote Peace Building And Conflict Resolution
Conflict is one of the most pressing issues affecting populations throughout northern Kenya. It is primarily resource-based, stemming from environmental degradation and depletion of water and land resources, and decreases in livelihoods and food security for local populations. Conflict in Turkana County itself is especially challenging because the region is bordered by a variety of ethnic groups from other regions of Kenya, as well as from the border countries of South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia. Violence among many of these communities has been ongoing for decades, having only intensified in the recent past due to outbreaks of civil wars, availability of illegal small arms, and the increased degradation of natural and economic resources.
Since its inception, APaD is one of the most vibrant, trusted and active local organizations in peace building especially across borders with the Pokot, Karamojong of Uganda and Toposa of South Sudan. The organization implemented the USAID funded PEACE I (2008-2009), PEACE II (2012-2014) and PEACE III (2015-19)
Another project that aims to end conflictd in the Turkana region is the KESSUGET project that is funded by the European Union (EU). The project aims at strengthening the Civil Society in Turkana County” project.
The main aims of the project are to:
- Strengthen the capacity and collective voice of civil society actors (CSOs) in Turkana County to address conflict dynamics around land and natural resources.
- Advance constructive engagement between civil society actors, community structures, the private sector and national and county governments to improve land and natural resource governance in order to prevent tensions and conflicts.
This project is undertaken within the ambit of a consortium led by DRC/DDG in partnership with Turkana Pastoralist Development Organization (TUPADO), Agency for Pastoralist Development (APAD) and the Turkana Natural Resource Governance Hub (Hub).
Enabling peace in turkana
2-year project (2021-2022) project was funded by European Union (EU) and is implemented by a consortium that includes TUPADO and Turkana Natural Resources Governance Hub ‘The Hub’ with Danish Refugee Council taking lead. Target areas include Turkana East, Central and South Sub Counties.
Key Achievements:
- Participated in a Participatory Action Research that informed the capacity building of CSOs and other stakeholders in the target area in Turkana South, East and Central.
- Conducted training to target communities and groups on rights, roles and responsibilities in land governance and conflict-sensitive best practices for civil servants and CSOs
- Facilitated training on conflict prevention and management training for civil servants and CSOs in the three sub-counties.
- Trained communities on advocacy and evidence-based research
- Conducted multi-stakeholder dialogue meetings on land governance and mediation in the three target sub-counties
Enabling peace in turkana
2-year project (2021-2022) project was funded by European Union (EU) and is implemented by a consortium that includes TUPADO and Turkana Natural Resources Governance Hub ‘The Hub’ with Danish Refugee Council taking lead. Target areas include Turkana East, Central and South Sub Counties.
Key Achievements:
- Participated in a Participatory Action Research that informed the capacity building of CSOs and other stakeholders in the target area in Turkana South, East and Central.
- Conducted training to target communities and groups on rights, roles and responsibilities in land governance and conflict-sensitive best practices for civil servants and CSOs
- Facilitated training on conflict prevention and management training for civil servants and CSOs in the three sub-counties.
- Trained communities on advocacy and evidence-based research
- Conducted multi-stakeholder dialogue meetings on land governance and mediation in the three target sub-counties
Active Citizenship Grant
This project was funded by the SID (Society for International Development) for a period of 9 Months (2014-2015) for KSH 1,300,000.
Key Achievements:
- Empowered communities that recognize and advocate for their rights concerning land and natural resources within Turkana County.
- Increased and enhanced representation of historically marginalized groups and communities in governance processes.
- Increased citizen participation in political and governance processes.
- Increased citizen and CSOs participation, engagement and oversight in governance at the county level.
- Increased participation and representation of women, youth and PWDs in political and governance processes.
Active Citizenship Grant
This project was funded by the SID (Society for International Development) for a period of 9 Months (2014-2015) for KSH 1,300,000.
Key Achievements:
- Empowered communities that recognize and advocate for their rights concerning land and natural resources within Turkana County.
- Increased and enhanced representation of historically marginalized groups and communities in governance processes.
- Increased citizen participation in political and governance processes.
- Increased citizen and CSOs participation, engagement and oversight in governance at the county level.
- Increased participation and representation of women, youth and PWDs in political and governance processes.
CRM Facility on NRM
This project was funded by the ACT! Embassy of Sweden, UKaid for a period of 22 Months (2012-2013) for KSH 14,842,050.
Key Achievements:
- The community target communities in Turkana Central and Loima more sensitized on sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.
- Improved capacities of beneficiaries to diversify their livelihoods through engagement in income-generating activities – fishing, small business enterprises, livestock production, and agriculture.
- The fisher folk communities sensitized and understand the mandate of the Ministry of Fisheries in the management of natural resources, especially beach management and fishing practices. There is a better understanding between the Fisheries Department and the Beach Management Units.
- Six (6) Disaster Risk Reduction Plans were prepared and handed over to the county government for integration into the County Integrated Development Plan.
- Capacity building of the organization and support to development of a Strategic Plan and review of organization policies
CRM Facility on NRM
This project was funded by the ACT! Embassy of Sweden, UKaid for a period of 22 Months (2012-2013) for KSH 14,842,050.
Key Achievements:
- The community target communities in Turkana Central and Loima more sensitized on sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.
- Improved capacities of beneficiaries to diversify their livelihoods through engagement in income-generating activities – fishing, small business enterprises, livestock production, and agriculture.
- The fisher folk communities sensitized and understand the mandate of the Ministry of Fisheries in the management of natural resources, especially beach management and fishing practices. There is a better understanding between the Fisheries Department and the Beach Management Units.
- Six (6) Disaster Risk Reduction Plans were prepared and handed over to the county government for integration into the County Integrated Development Plan.
- Capacity building of the organization and support to development of a Strategic Plan and review of organization policies
PEACE III, Youth Leadership in Community
This project was funded by PACT, Mercy Corps(USAID) for a period of 5 years (2015-2019).
Key Achievements:
- Empowered communities that recognize and advocate for their rights concerning land and natural resources within Turkana County.
- Increased and enhanced representation of historically marginalized groups and communities in governance processes.
- Increased citizen participation in political and governance processes.
- Increased citizen and CSOs participation, engagement and oversight in governance at the county level.
- Increased participation and representation of women, youth and PWDs in political and governance processes.
PEACE III, Youth Leadership in Community
This project was funded by PACT, Mercy Corps(USAID) for a period of 5 years (2015-2019).
Key Achievements:
- Empowered communities that recognize and advocate for their rights concerning land and natural resources within Turkana County.
- Increased and enhanced representation of historically marginalized groups and communities in governance processes.
- Increased citizen participation in political and governance processes.
- Increased citizen and CSOs participation, engagement and oversight in governance at the county level.
- Increased participation and representation of women, youth and PWDs in political and governance processes.
Institutional Strengthening of CSOs in Turkana
This project was funded by Global South for a period of 3 months in the year 2016 for KSH 1,000,000.
Key Achievements:
- Enhanced staff and board capacity on the Human Rights Based Approach to programming
- Enhanced staff capacity on advocacy tools and strategies
- Improved organizational capacity and governance structures
Institutional Strengthening of CSOs in Turkana
This project was funded by Global South for a period of 3 months in the year 2016 for KSH 1,000,000.
Key Achievements:
- Enhanced staff and board capacity on the Human Rights Based Approach to programming
- Enhanced staff capacity on advocacy tools and strategies
- Improved organizational capacity and governance structures