Local Governance and Peacebuilding

Conflict resolution through decentralization

Lessons from the Eastern Ukraine State Building and Accountability (EUSTAB) project

08-04-2019The publication summarizes the experience of a Dutch peacebuilding organization, PAX, which together with its partner, the international cooperation agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities VNGi, implemented a project that promoted the principles of good governance in 6 municipalities situated in proximity to the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Our aim was to make a contribution to an active and effective civil society and a responsive, transparent and accountable local government.

The Association / Community of Serb-majority Municipalities: Breaking the impasse

21-06-2016Agreements between Kosovo and Serbia calling for creation of an Association of Serbian Municipalities have transformative implications for the future of Serb communities in Kosovo, and the country's governance more broadly. Yet progress on establishing the Association has stalled. PAX and its partner, ECMI Kosovo, have launched a new report detailing a proposed compromise on the Association, aimed at 'breaking the impasse' between Kosovo and Serbia.

Iraq Alert II

Support Iraq’s call for good governance and accountable leadership

07-09-2015Fragmentation of the Iraqi state and the dominance of regional players at the national level is a very important obstacle to peace in Iraq. A context-tailored approach towards good governance and accountable leadership is particularly relevant in the areas recently recaptured from ISIS. This Alert stresses the need for inclusive peacebuilding as an essential part of any political strategy. PAX calls for a localised approach on consensus-building and reconciliation in Iraq.

Lessons learned from the Balkans can help Ukraine

05-03-2015By taking lessons from the Balkan Wars peace organisation PAX proposes that the international community could and should increase the chances of sustainable peace, stability and democracy in Ukraine by putting the interests of citizens first.

The state at the margin

Local negotiations on the meaning of the state in South Sudan

24-05-2014