Tools and Conflict Sensitive Approaches to Development

Evidence shows that humanitarian assistance, development and peace-building activities interact with the context they are taking place in and, in conflict-affected settings with the conflict. These interventions can aggravate the conflict and do harm or they can contribute in a positive way to a constructive conflict transformation. National governments, multilateral donors as well as civil society organizations therefore increasingly endeavour to design and implement their activites in a conflict sensitive way not to do harm but to have a positive impact on the conflict. Since beginning of the 90s development actors have developed a variety of approaches, methods and tools to enhance the understanding of the conflict context, the interaction between interventions and the conflict and the impact of the interventions on the conflict. The 'Do No Harm' approach is considered an important tool to secure conflict sensitivity in development and humanitarian aid activities and is widely recognized by development actors as a standard requirement.

KOFF activities

KOFF is contributing to the development of practice-oriented methods and tools to design and implement humanitarian assistance and development programs in a conflict sensitive way and to the development of peace-building programs.

To this end it provides information, participates in the international discussion, organizes trainings, compiles and circulates lessons learned and provides assistance to its member organizations. According to the importance of the "Do No Harm" approach KOFF offers "Do No Harm" - Trainings in Switzerland and in the field and supports its partner organizations in mainstreaming conflict sensitivity within their organizations.It facilitates the exchange of experiences and provides lessons learned with mainstreaming "Do No Harm" in workshops, presentations and expert groups.

Eventually KOFF is offering consulting services.2002 KOFF conducted Peace and Conflict Impact Assessments (PCIA) in Bosnia, Kosova, Macedonia and Angola for its member organizations. In 2004 it discussed important aspects of the current debate and trends in a KOFF Info Sheet.