International Organisational Development (OD)

We provide Organisational Development support to international organisations and networks that have peacebuilding at the core of their mandate. We support them to play their intermediary role in a way that ensures that those most affected by conflict can lead the way in building sustainable peace.

Most international peacebuilding organisations were created to support local voices. Over time, however, many have shifted to prioritizing donor agendas, reducing local peacebuilders to implementers rather than leaders. Despite growing support for the localisation agenda, funding still overwhelmingly bypasses local actors. 

At the same time, funding for conflict prevention is rapidly declining, with more resources diverted to crisis response and militarised interventions. Core funding is especially impacted, just as organisations face more complex, volatile environments.

Yet within this crisis lies an opportunity. Funding cuts are prompting international actors to reassess their roles and build more equitable, collaborative partnerships with local peacebuilders and peers. As competition gives way to cooperation, there’s a growing drive to ensure remaining funds are used in ways that reflect the sector’s values.

Our next 2025 Call for Proposals will support those leading this transformation – centering local leadership in peacebuilding and creating a more just, effective system.

We support the organisational strengthening of international organisations, networks, and coalitions with peacebuilding at the core of their mission. Our partners are operational in at least five countries—preferably within our focus regions—and demonstrate a strong commitment to locally-led peacebuilding.

We work with organisations that are not only implementing change but have the potential to influence the wider sector. We assess both their impact and their readiness for transformation, as our support spans 3 to 4 years and requires meaningful time and engagement.

Together with our partners, we facilitate collective initiatives that foster peer learning and mutual support. We also collaborate with donors seeking to shift their funding practices, and co-convene learning spaces that promote models and approaches that enable locally-led peacebuilding.

Results of our Organisational Development support 

Every Organisational Development process is different, tailored to our partners’ specific needs and realities. Our partners report that our support has enabled them to revise their strategic priorities and alignment, and that they have strengthened their internal systems and practices, which has in turn directly improved their ability to engage their members and/or local partners. The desired outcome is always to enable conflict-sensitive, mutually accountable and adaptive partnerships between local and international actors – and a greater impact on the ground.