Our Library
Explore our publications, from research papers and series to educational materials, covering all aspects of conflict transformation and peace promotion.
Getting the timing rightSequencing DDR and political transformation support
This Primer provides guidance for DDR practitioners, peacebuilding stakeholders, and international partners on how to sequence DDR efforts alongside political transformation in ways that align and ideally strengthen one another. Using insights from cases like Nepal, Liberia, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, and Colombia, it examines how different sequencing choices affect the relationship between security and political inclusion in post-conflict settings. The document presents conceptual frameworks, comparative case examples and practical principles to help develop more coordinated and context-sensitive strategies.
- Year2025
Politics beyond the partyInformal pathways for ex-combatants’ political transformation
The Primer explains the importance of informal political spaces in achieving long-term peace. These arenas are often the most immediate and accessible venues where marginalised groups or lower-level fighters -- including women and young people -- can express their views, develop leadership skills, and take action, especially when formal institutions are inaccessible, exclusive, or no longer trusted. Acknowledging and supporting these peaceful forms of organisation allows DDR and peacebuilding actors to enable ex-combatants to pursue social change without violence, resolve grievances constructively, and rebuild confidence between them and the wider community.
- Year2025
Engendering political transformationGender-responsive support on the political participation of ex-combatants
This Primer guides DDR practitioners, peacebuilders, and partners in promoting gender-responsive political transformation within or beyond DDR processes. It calls for expanding reintegration efforts beyond livelihoods and security to include political participation as essential to lasting peace. Drawing on field experience, it shows how women, men, and gender-diverse ex-combatants face unique gendered challenges in entering politics. The Primer stresses tackling patriarchal norms and integrating gender-responsive approaches across all DDR phases, offering practical tools to support equitable and inclusive political participation for all former fighters.
- Year2025
Embracing citizenshipCivic and political education for ex-combatants during demobilisation and reintegration
To achieve sustainable peace, it is crucial for ex-combatants to be able to support their communities, or even pursue their wartime claims, through non-violent ways. Depending on the nature of these claims, different reintegration trajectories and skillsets need to be applied. This Primer provides DDR practitioners with a brief overview on civic and political education as an enabler for ex-combatants and their communities to become peacebuilding agents.
- Year2025
Mediating the political transformation of non-state armed groupsOptions for peace process support
The purpose of this primer is to provide guidance to mediators and other peace support actors, including (when relevant) DDR practitioners, on enabling a successful political transformation of armed groups as part of peace processes. It addresses key questions which need to be considered in peace mediation and the resulting negotiated agreements, such as: Who can best support political transformation during peace processes? When to consider such involvement? How to ensure that the content and sequencing of peace accords are conducive to effective political transformation?
- Year2025