Peace Action for Rapid and Transformative Nigerian Early Response (PARTNER) Annual Report

The goal of PARTNER is to increase the effectiveness, local ownership, and sustainability of an inclusive Early Warning Early Response (EWER) system for improved violence prevention in Nigeria. PARTNER pursues a bold approach to promote collaboration across local, international, government, non-government, community, state, and security stakeholders to achieve this goal. The Activity will achieve its goal through three objectives: 1) Key stakeholders work together to create and sustain conflict EWER systems to foster peace and tolerance in communities and mitigate conflict and criminality in areas currently affected or at risk of violent conflict; 2) Engage a diverse set of key stakeholders towards community-based efforts to promote communication, dispute resolution, dialogue, and advocacy for peace and reconciliation; and 3) Key stakeholders work together to enhance trust and confidence among community members and between communities and security forces through social cohesion initiatives. PARTNER employs tiered geographic targeting, with deep engagement in Plateau and Kaduna led by the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) and the Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC) in coordination with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). Growth and expansion in Benue, Katsina, Kano, and Kogi will capitalize on gains made through the Mercy Corps-led, USAID-funded Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) Activity. PARTNER will aim to strengthen systems from the bottom up in other states such as Niger, Nasarawa, and Zamfara. The Activity will track progress against the following stages: joint organizational capacity assessment, transition planning, implementation of capacity strengthening, including mentorship and accompaniment, the actual transition of responsibility, and the assumption of primary program leadership by WANEP. Close partnership between Mercy Corps and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) will also focus on capacity assessment and strengthening, with an emphasis on detailed sustainability planning related to the EWER platform's technology and management. PARTNER consortium members seek to advance sustainability and national-level impact through a multi-pronged approach. An Advisory Council composed of key government, civil society, advocacy, business, and other influential stakeholders will guide effective implementation and ensure buy-in at the highest levels and will support the creation of a detailed sustainability plan. As of the end of the reporting period, PARTNER has achieved 0% of the target for the indicator CIP 1.1.1-2, which measures the percentage of people who believe their communities are peaceful, safe, and secure. However, the Activity has identified and profiled 60 local women participating in a substantive role or position in a peacebuilding process supported with USG assistance, achieving 33% of the target of 200 women. The program is working in 35 communities out of the target 50 due to the impact evaluation (RCT) approach in Tier 1 states.