Conflict sensitive approaches to development, humanitarian assistance and peace building

Next: 3.3 Conflict sensitivity at the national level

3.2 Stakeholder consultation

Stakeholder consultation is a core principle of sectoral approaches and should take place at all stages. It is also a core principle for a conflict-sensitive approach. Consultation can bring to bear local perspectives on the plans for the sector in a particular region; ensure it is informed by local realities; highlight any likely sources of tension or insecurity (eg over resource allocation); and suggest approaches to managing that tension.

In addition to providing information on key conflict risks, the process of stakeholder involvement can play an important role in conflict sensitising the partnership environment by promoting inclusive governance, reaching out to marginalised groups and encouraging further institutionalisation of stakeholder participation in government policy making. In particular, involving all tiers of government (including local government) is an important element of developing accountability and securing local ownership of and commitment to the strategy and implementation of a sectoral approach.

Conflict-sensitive consultation requires an adequate understanding of the different actors and their goals, interests, capacities and relationships (as illustrated by the conflict analysis), as well as sensitivity to the causes of conflict identified in the analysis, such as marginalisation of certain groups, or inadequate participation of local actors in central decision-making. Undertaking a consultation exercise that excludes certain actors or gives too much weight to others can lead to increased tensions and skewed perspectives.

Difficulties may include a weak, fragmented or polarised civil society; lack of consensus on development priorities; or local government structures that lack resources and capacity to engage effectively in sectoral policy making and implementation.

A number of actions can be taken to promote conflict-sensitive stakeholder engagement. These include:

drawing on information provided by the conflict analysis, in particular information on actors. This can help ensure that key groups are not overlooked or marginalised and that all actors are engaged, including traditional governance structures and the private sector
taking advantage of the valuable role that donors and other external actors can play as critical observers of the participation process, with the ability to raise concerns in their dialogue with government. They can also facilitate the participation process (see Box 3)
providing support to stakeholder consultation processes, and projects aimed at strengthening civil society groups and local governance structures.

**Box 3: European Commission support to civil society participation in Sudan**
The EU is supporting the development of a National Indicative Programme for Sudan. The European Centre for Development Policy Management has facilitated a process of awareness raising and mapping of non-state actors (civil society), at the request of and paid for by the European Commission and the Government of Sudan. This process of civil society engagement is taking place within the context of an ongoing political dialogue and progressive normalisation of EU / Sudan relations. It is hoped that with further capacity building support, civil society will be in a position to play a role in a future EU / Sudan country strategy and dialogue.

A number of organisations specialise in supporting dialogue and policy advocacy mechanisms in conflict and post-conflict settings, using participatory action research methodologies in order to map issues and actors with a view to informing policy (see Box 4). Donors might want to consider supporting such initiatives.

**Box 4: War Torn Societies Project**
The War Torn Societies Project’s approach is based on a participatory action research (PAR) methodology adapted and developed by the director, Mattias Steifel. The methodology involves setting up core teams of local people to undertake research in their own post-conflict societies, with a view to drawing up a 'balance sheet' or country note describing the state of the country, and a list of priority rebuilding tasks that need to be tackled. The country note is not produced by researchers working in isolation, but is developed from the opinions and suggestions of many different individuals and groups, so beginning a process of interaction. In the project in Somaliland, for example, the team was based in a local research organisation, the Somaliland Centre for Peace and Development, and after five months of fieldwork in 1999 produced a country note, “Self-portrait of Somaliland”. The team travelled widely, reaching people in all regions and sectors. The project treats the participants as authorities, and aims to provide the neutral space necessary for frank discussions.

Next: 3.3 Conflict sensitivity at the national level