Yemen Communities Stronger Together (YCST) MEAL Plan

The program is being implemented by Global Communities in partnership with the Field Medical Foundation, Build Up, and Partners for Good. The purpose of YCST is to support local-level initiatives that mitigate conflict, strengthen social cohesion, promote the peaceful resolution of differences, and capitalize on stabilization opportunities in Yemen. YCST aims to achieve four objectives: engaging communities, building capacity, promoting peace, and enhancing outcomes. Under Objective 1, YCST engages communities in an inclusive approach to identify and implement service delivery and conflict mitigation projects. The program uses the Participatory Action for Community Enhancement (PACE) approach to build the capacity of community members and local leaders to develop a vision for their community and address issues through conflict mitigation and service delivery projects. Objective 2 focuses on building the capacity of formal and informal local leaders, organizations, and networks to serve as neutral arbitrators and peace builders. YCST strengthens local mechanisms and the skills of those who participate in them to identify and address unresolved grievances that can spark violent conflict. The program manages a Peacebuilding Grants Fund, a Women, Peace and Security Sub-fund, and an Innovation Grant Sub-fund to support initiatives that increase women's participation in peacebuilding, form youth networks, and use technology and creative approaches in peacebuilding. Objective 3 involves piloting stabilization activities to identify effective models to create where credible and local authorities and systems can peaceably manage conflicts and prevent a resurgence of violence. Stabilization activities are implemented by YCST in areas controlled by the Republic of Yemen Government, including assisting local authorities to understand the priorities of their constituents, facilitating authorities' plans for a response to those priorities, and providing capacity building of local authorities to sustain investments and build communications with constituents. Objective 4 focuses on carrying out regular and action-oriented learning and contextual analysis across YCST interventions to support adaptive management for enhanced outcomes. Action learning is integrated across YCST to examine the effectiveness of projects, initiatives, and activities, and to test, adapt, and scale-up evidence-based programming. This approach ensures a do-no-harm approach and allows YCST to respond to rapid changes in the context. The program is being implemented in Abyan, Aden, Hadramout, and Lahj Governorates, with a focus on engaging communities, building capacity, promoting peace, and enhancing outcomes. YCST is laying the foundation for a peaceful and effective transition process in Yemen by engaging communities, building capacity, and promoting peace.