Project at a Glance

Project Title: Community-Based Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion in Tsore and Bambasi Sudanese Refugee Camps

Location: Tsore Refugee Camp-Homosha Woreda and Bambasi Refugee Camp-Bambasi Woreda, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

Implemented By: Tinsae Humanitarian Charity Organization (THCO)

Supported By: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

Signing Partners: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS)

Direct Beneficiaries: 270

• 60 Women (18+)
• 138 Men (18+)
• 44 Girls (Under 18)
• 28 Boys (Under 18)

Key Achievements

• 60 youth trained in mediation, peacebuilding, trauma awareness, gender inclusion, and community leadership.
• 80 Community Peace Forum members trained in conflict resolution and decision-making.
• 12 biweekly Community Peace Forum meetings conducted.
• 60 students participated in school-based peacebuilding workshops.
• 60 youth engaged in Football for Peace activities.
• Joint refugee-host community cleaning campaigns implemented in both project sites.
• High-level visit by the Ambassador of Canada to Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Building Peace Through Community Action

Peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities cannot be achieved through dialogue alone. It requires trust, cooperation, shared responsibility, and meaningful opportunities for people to work together toward common goals.

In the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia, where Sudanese refugees and host communities live side by side, Tinsae Humanitarian Charity Organization (THCO), with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), implemented a community-based peacebuilding initiative designed to strengthen social cohesion, promote peaceful coexistence, and empower local communities to become active agents of peace.

Implemented in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), the project brought together refugees and host communities through dialogue, leadership development, peace education, sports, and collective community action.

The initiative demonstrated that peace is not simply the absence of conflict—it is the presence of strong relationships, shared values, and collaborative action.

Creating Local Platforms for Dialogue

At the center of the project was the establishment and strengthening of Community Peace Forums (CPFs), which served as inclusive platforms for dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

To build the capacity of these structures, THCO organized two intensive two-day training sessions for 80 Community Peace Forum members. The participants included 40 members from Tsore and 40 members from Bambasi, with equal representation from refugee and host communities.

The training equipped participants with practical skills in conflict resolution, mediation, consensus-building, and participatory decision-making.

Following the training, Community Peace Forums met on a biweekly basis to discuss issues affecting both communities, including access to shared services, gender equality, safety concerns, and livelihood challenges. In total, twelve CPF meetings were conducted throughout the project period.

These forums created safe spaces for constructive dialogue and strengthened communication between refugee and host community stakeholders, helping prevent misunderstandings and promote collaborative solutions to common challenges.

Empowering Youth as Peace Ambassadors

Young people are often among the most affected by social tensions, yet they also possess tremendous potential to become catalysts for positive change.

To harness this potential, THCO conducted two six-day peacebuilding and leadership training sessions for 60 youth participants, comprising 30 refugees and 30 host community members. The training intentionally promoted gender inclusion, with 35 women and 25 men participating.

Participants received practical instruction in mediation, peacebuilding principles, trauma awareness, leadership development, gender inclusion, communication skills, and community mobilization.

Following the training, these young leaders became Peace Ambassadors within their communities, promoting peaceful coexistence, encouraging dialogue, and supporting community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

Their leadership would later become instrumental in mobilizing community members for collective action and awareness-raising activities.

Schools as Spaces for Peace

Recognizing the importance of investing in future generations, THCO organized school-based peacebuilding workshops designed to foster a culture of peace among young learners.

Two four-day workshops were conducted involving 60 students drawn from four schools across the two project locations. The initiative included students from both refugee and host community schools, ensuring balanced participation and meaningful interaction.

The workshops focused on conflict resolution, peaceful coexistence, empathy, tolerance, communication skills, and promoting a culture of peace.

For many participants, these workshops represented a rare opportunity to engage with peers from different backgrounds in a structured and supportive environment. Students explored practical approaches to resolving disputes peacefully and reflected on the role they can play in creating more harmonious communities.

The experience not only strengthened students' peacebuilding skills but also fostered new friendships and mutual understanding across community lines.

Building Trust Through Sports

Sport has a unique ability to unite people regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances.

To promote interaction and strengthen relationships among young people, the project organized Football for Peace activities in Tsore and Bambasi.

A total of 60 football players participated, with equal representation from both project locations. The activities encouraged teamwork, cooperation, respect, and positive interaction between refugee and host community youth.

Beyond the matches themselves, the football events created opportunities for dialogue, friendship, and social bonding. Participants learned that despite different backgrounds, they shared similar aspirations, challenges, and dreams.

The activities demonstrated that sport can be a powerful tool for building trust and promoting social cohesion.

Turning Peace into Action

One of the most visible demonstrations of social cohesion emerged through community cleaning campaigns organized in both project sites.

These initiatives were led by trained Peace Ambassadors and Community Peace Forum members and brought together refugee and host community leaders, youth, women, and community members to improve shared public spaces.

Working side by side, participants cleaned community areas, strengthened relationships, and demonstrated a shared commitment to improving their environment.

The campaigns achieved more than environmental improvements. They transformed peacebuilding principles into practical action and provided tangible evidence that communities can work together toward common goals.

By collaborating on activities that benefited everyone, participants strengthened trust, mutual respect, and a sense of collective responsibility.

Impact Beyond Numbers

While the project directly reached 270 beneficiaries, its influence extended far beyond those who participated directly.

Community Peace Forums strengthened local conflict prevention mechanisms. Peace Ambassadors emerged as respected advocates for peaceful coexistence. Students gained valuable skills in conflict resolution and nonviolent communication. Refugee and host community youth built friendships through sports and collaborative activities.

Most importantly, the project created multiple opportunities for positive interaction between communities that often have limited spaces for engagement.

Through dialogue, education, sports, and community service, participants developed stronger relationships and a deeper appreciation of their shared interests and aspirations.

International Recognition and Support

The significance of the initiative was recognized through a high-level field visit by the Canadian Embassy.

The delegation was led by His Excellency Nicolas Simard, Ambassador of Canada to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Head of Mission for Sudan.

The delegation also included:

• Jason Tulk, Counsellor, Political and Public Affairs
• Pierric Le Dorze, First Secretary, Political and Public Affairs (Sudan)
• Juliana Lopez Fajardo, Counsellor (Development)
• Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Gregoire, Canadian Defence Attaché

During the visit, the delegation observed project activities, engaged with community members, and discussed the project's contribution to strengthening peaceful coexistence between refugee and host communities.

The visit reflected Canada's commitment to supporting locally led peacebuilding initiatives and highlighted the importance of community-driven approaches to promoting social cohesion and resilience.

Lessons Learned

Several important lessons emerged from the project.

First, peacebuilding is most effective when communities themselves take ownership of the process.

Second, youth are not only beneficiaries of peacebuilding initiatives but also powerful leaders and change agents.

Third, schools provide valuable spaces for nurturing a culture of peace among future generations.

Fourth, sports and community service activities complement dialogue by creating practical opportunities for cooperation and relationship-building.

Finally, refugee and host communities share many common concerns and aspirations. When provided with opportunities for meaningful engagement, they can work together effectively to address shared challenges.

Sustaining the Momentum

Although the project has officially concluded, the foundations for continued peacebuilding remain in place.

Community Peace Forums continue to serve as platforms for dialogue and conflict prevention. Peace Ambassadors remain active within their communities, promoting messages of tolerance and cooperation. Students who participated in the workshops carry forward valuable skills that can contribute to more peaceful schools and communities.

The project demonstrated that sustainable peace is built through inclusive participation, local leadership, and collective action.

By bringing refugees and host communities together to learn, discuss, play, and work side by side, THCO and its partners have contributed to building stronger foundations for lasting social cohesion in Tsore and Bambasi.

The relationships established, the skills developed, and the trust cultivated through this initiative will continue to serve as important resources for communities striving to build a more peaceful and inclusive future.