International Alert urges that breaking this cycle requires a fundamental shift in ways of working. Humanitarian, development, and climate programmes can tackle these challenges at their roots by proactively building peace. Its three new papers show how peacebuilding tools and approaches can enhance impact, strengthen resilience, and deliver lasting change across development finance, climate action, and humanitarian aid.

The papers have documented how more than two billion people live in fragile and conflict-affected settings, often bear the brunt of multiple crises, while typically contributing the least to their causes. Yet, these communities remain systematically underserved by international investment and support. Funding cuts by major donors and governments are contributing to growing inequality and fragility.

International Alert’s experts show how the real change can be achieved. By applying established peacebuilding tools and approaches, the international community can collaborate on shared goals and outcomes to support affected communities facing the consequences of complex global challenges.

Applying a conflict sensitive approach to humanitarian and development interventions goes beyond meeting immediate needs or preventing escalation. It addresses the underlying drivers of conflict and instability, laying the foundations for long-term peace and shaping futures free from violence. Integrating peacebuilding approaches directly into wider sector efforts takes this a step further by incorporating measurable positive peace outcomes that strengthen social cohesion and support sustainable development.

The three papers recommend key elements and processes to consider for successful peace integration: 

1. Context and conflict analysis to examine underlying economic, social, cultural, environmental and political drivers of conflict and tensions.
2. Locally led solutions in which affected communities define what peace means in their context and take ownership of the approach or response.
3. Dialogue as a platform for building trust and understanding between different groups.
4. Gender sensitive and inclusive programming to ensure fair and meaningful representation of all voices at every level.
5. Skills building and tailored training co-designed with local partners to meet context-specific needs that sustain peace. 
6. Collaborative learning platforms to foster shared understanding and strengthen knowledge around coordinated conflict sensitive approaches for cross-sector challenges.
7. Acknowledging new challenges and risks that a conflict sensitive approach can pose for non-peacebuilding organisations and partners and adjust.