This practice note presents an evaluation of the Peace Reconciliation Activity (PRA) implemented by Catholic Relief Services in Somalia. Data was gathered through 216 household surveys, 24 focus group discussions, and 16 key informant interviews. We used an embedded Developmental Evaluation framework, conducted within a convergent mixed-methods design. This framework enabled us to capture iterative learning, stakeholder feedback, and adopt and document adaptive changes throughout the implementation process. The PRA sought to rebuild trust, inclusion, and social cohesion across four fragile and conflict-affected districts — Barawe, Afgoye, Jowhar, and Warsheikh — where decades of recurring inter-clan violence, displacement, and trauma had fractured civic life, undermined resilience and created intergroup mistrust. We examined whether the PRA had strengthened pathways to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and inclusion. Community members developed practical peacebuilding competencies — learning negotiation, empathy, and respect for diverse clans — while engaging in collective reconciliation efforts. Connector projects such as water preservation were co-created to address shared resource conflicts. Village-level Natural Resource Management and Disaster Risk Reduction committees, along with hybrid peace platforms at the district level, played pivotal roles in preventing disputes, resolving grievances, and promoting equitable access to land and resources. The Social Capital Index increased, although bridging ties remained weaker than bonding ties, particularly among older adults and men. Mutual trust and empathy improved while grievance resolution improved considerably from the previous year. Community-based grievance systems, intergenerational dialogue, and gender inclusion emerged as key enablers of peace outcomes. In conclusion, trauma-informed, inclusive peacebuilding, when rooted in real-time data and local agency, can reinforce cohesion in fragile environments.
Md Abu Hanif (Thu,) studied this question.