Community Violence Reduction in the Central African Republic
Community violence reduction in north-western CAR through cash for work, vocational training, livelihood support, civic education and community dialogue for DDR-ineligible armed-group members and vulnerable residents.
intervention sites and the implementing organisation's office.
About the project
Full project profile
Context
Following the 2013 conflict, the Central African Republic began developing a revised national DDR strategy under the peace process advanced by the May 2015 Bangui Forum. Nine armed groups endorsed DDR principles, but eligibility requires membership in a signatory group and surrender of a weapon of war. Many armed-group members, particularly Anti-Balaka elements using traditional or locally made weapons, are therefore unlikely to qualify. These excluded individuals remain a threat to civilians and local stability, especially in north-western hotspots.
Needs and problem statement
An estimated 60,000 people associated with Anti-Balaka and other armed groups may be excluded from national DDR because they do not meet eligibility criteria, including surrendering a weapon of war. Without viable livelihoods, social reinsertion and peaceful mechanisms for resolving disputes, these violence-prone individuals and vulnerable communities may continue to face insecurity, intercommunal tensions and renewed violence.
Overall objective
Improve local security through the economic and social reinsertion of violence-prone armed-group members who are ineligible for the national DDR programme, while strengthening community dialogue and peaceful dispute-resolution mechanisms in violence hotspots.
Implementation approach
Devimpact360, with the national DDR Section and relevant CAR government institutions, will combine economic and social reinsertion. Participatory assessments and local committees will identify priority community infrastructure for cash-for-work activities. The project will coordinate with similar initiatives to prevent overlap. Selected participants will receive market-oriented vocational and business training, on-the-job learning and support to launch context-appropriate livelihoods in agriculture, livestock, services or small business. Civic education, human rights, citizenship, peaceful coexistence, respect for diversity, community dialogue and social, cultural or sports activities will support non-violent dispute resolution and social cohesion.
Monitoring and evaluation approach
Weekly field monitoring visits will be carried out in the 3 main project sites, covering both training centers and apprenticeships location to identify advances on the targets and deliverables, and also to note and report back to PM and donors any problems that arise in relation to the planned activities, their proposed methodology, timeline and targets.
Principal risks
Persistent insecurity and renewed armed violence may restrict access and participation. Tensions may arise over participant selection or perceived benefits, particularly between former armed-group members and other residents. Weak local markets may limit livelihood sustainability. Duplication with other cash-for-work or youth initiatives could reduce effectiveness without close coordination.
Who benefits
The project targets 7,000 participants: 4,200 members of armed groups who are ineligible for the national DDR programme and 2,800 other community members. It prioritizes people prone or vulnerable to violence in Bouar, Baboua, Koui, Bossangoa and Nana Bakassa.
Selection criteria
The 4,200 members of armed groups will be identified in lists agreed with the National DDR Commission, from among the ex-militia members not admitted into de CAR Armed Forces or Police and other official Guard Services. The 2,800 community members will be selected in consultation processes with community leaders and local committees.
- Women
- 0
- Men
- 0
- Girls
- 0
- Boys
- 0
- Other / unspecified
- 7,000
- Total direct beneficiaries
- 7,000
- Indirect beneficiaries
- 0
- Catchment population
- 0
Population groups
- Acronym
- CVR-CAR
- Category
- peacebuilding
- Sector
- Peacebuilding & Stabilization
- Country
- CF
- Planned start
- 3/1/2027
- Planned end
- 9/1/2027
- Total budget
- $850,000
- Funding target
- $650,000
- Minimum to start
- $650,000
- Secured to date
- $200,000
- Overfunding allowed
- Yes
- Maximum funding
- $750,000
- Reporting frequency
- weekly
- Completion
- 100%
Activities, deliverables and targets
Implementation period: 3/1/2027 — 9/1/2027
- 4500 Ex-armed group members trained and placed in apprenticeshipsTarget: 4,500 EAGM 3/1/2027
Recent updates
Field reports captured on site appear here automatically, alongside updates published by the implementing organisation.