Conflict sensitivity is the cornerstone of understanding how an intervention, and the range of resources it brings with it, can impact an environment. It helps practitioners to think through how to minimise negative impacts of a programme and maximise the opportunities to do good.

Building an in-depth understanding of the context shines light on the different types of and experiences of violence, conflict, exclusion and injustice and helps to prioritise the approach based on the needs on the ground. Coupling this with consultations with government partners, CSOs and communities around perceptions of violence at large, as well as VE, helps refine analysis and supports the development of programming that reflects the contextual realities.

Framing projects

The sensitive and political nature of PVE programming means that the mere existence of a PVE programme can exacerbate and create tensions within a community. Some programmes attempt to circumvent this by rebranding their programme as something other than PVE, sticking instead to a familiar development label of, for example, livelihoods creation, leadership skills or interfaith dialogue. While this offers a way to manage the risks around perceptions of a programme and stigmatisation of those engaging in the programme, it presents an ethical dilemma around the core principle of transparency. Programmes are presented to beneficiaries as one thing and reported on as PVE, implicitly labelling those engaging in the programme as vulnerable to VE or core to building resilience to PVE. Not only does this raise the question of whether this is appropriate and fair, but it also threatens trust built with communities and makes it more difficult to gather and measure data when the purpose of an intervention has been kept from those from whom information for monitoring impact is required.