Empowering conflict- affected communities to respond ... - Saferworld

16 e m p o w e r i n g c o n f l i c t-aff e c t e d c o m m u n i t i e s t o re s p o n d t o s e c u r i t y p ro b l e m s in s o u t h o s s e t i aWork has also led to developments within the three key change areas identified bycommunities at the outset of the project:“After the initiatives, peoplein the community felt moreconfident in themselves andin the future.”CRG member1. Change within communities. Following years of social degradation arising from almost twodecades of violent conflict, people living in the selected communities have demonstratedwillingness and enthusiasm to participate in developing and implementing solutions toproblems. For example, they provided physical labour to implement initiatives withoutany financial incentive, and even provided communal food and refreshments during implementation.2. Change in relationships between communities. By creating a committed, enthusiasticvolunteer community network, the project has created a potentially sustainable resource forsharing information and providing mutual support between representatives of communitiesfrom different parts of South Ossetia.3. Change in relationships between communities and authority representatives. The implementationof joint initiatives provided an example of constructive cooperation betweencommunities and authority representatives. Local authorities have demonstrated a willingnessto work with communities to respond to problems, for example, by providing technicalequipment and materials.To consolidate these achievements and move to the next stage in ensuring security forcommunities, the partners have identified two key areas for future activities.Vision for the future1. Strengthening CRG and facilitating greater engagement between communitiesand security actorsIn the next phase of work, we plan to extend our work and identify communities andrepresentatives in Akhalgori/Leningor district, to allow the project partners to supportcommunities throughout South Ossetia. We will seek to provide additional support to thecommunity members, helping them to articulate their security needs more clearly tosecurity providers; and to build their confidence to work on other security issues, beyondthose related to infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.A key objective of a community-based approach is to strengthen relations betweencommunities and security actors, to develop mutual trust, and to ensure that security actorsprioritise local needs and use whatever resources are available to respond to them. We thereforehope to see closer cooperation between our community network and security actorsbeyond consultation over specific plans.