“To me, peace means that women can safely run their businesses and travel without fear,” one participant said during a recent Sustained Dialogue session in Jowhar.

The reflection emerged during a "peace visioning" exercise organized by the Berghof Foundation through its Nexus Partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The initiative brings conflict transformation tools directly to communities, creating inclusive spaces where residents can openly discuss challenges and shape their own solutions.

In June 2026, one dialogue committee convened more than 100 participants from five villages, including women and youth leaders, to address issues affecting their communities. 

According to Berghof Foundation, the discussions focused on strengthening peace between villages, improving resource sharing, and identifying practical, locally driven solutions to common challenges.

Building on this momentum, the Berghof Foundation said that another community committee is preparing to launch self-led neighbourhood dialogues. The initiative will encourage residents to take ownership of peacebuilding efforts while identifying locations for future community environmental peacebuilding activities.

The foundation stated approach places local communities at the centre of peacebuilding, empowering them not only to voice their concerns but also to design solutions that reflect their realities and priorities.

By fostering dialogue led by community members themselves, Berghof Foundation noted the initiative aims to create lasting change that extends well beyond external support. From resolving disputes over shared resources to promoting environmental peacebuilding, the process is helping communities strengthen trust, resilience and social cohesion.

The Berghof Foundation said that the vision emerging from Jowhar indicates that sustainable peace is built when people are equipped to lead the conversations, make collective decisions and shape the future of their own communities.