Insider mediation for preventing and mitigating community tensions

The ongoing escalation of conflict in Lebanon has led to large-scale internal displacement, increasing pressure on host communities, local governance structures, and already fragile socio-economic conditions. Competition over limited resources, emotional distress, and uncertainty have heightened the risk of tensions between displaced populations and host communities.

In such contexts, locally grounded conflict prevention and mediation mechanisms play an important role in reducing tensions, supporting dialogue, and preventing escalation.

The initiative adopts a rapid, community-based approach centred on insider mediation, dialogue facilitation, and conflict-sensitive engagement. Through locally embedded mediators, volunteers, and community actors, the project supports constructive communication and local coordination efforts in displacement-affected communities.

The intervention also strengthens the capacities of frontline responders through coaching sessions and practical tools focused on:

• conflict-sensitive approaches

• Do No Harm principles

• Psychological First Aid

• active listening

• non-violent communication

The project ensures the participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups where possible, while supporting safe and respectful spaces for engagement and dialogue.

• Community engagements and mediation support:
  Approximately 60 community engagements will be facilitated by insider mediators and Berghof Foundation experts in displacement-affected areas across Lebanon. These engagements include dialogue facilitation, mediation support, problem-solving discussions, awareness sessions, and local coordination support.

• Coaching sessions for volunteers and responders:
  The project will deliver coaching sessions for organisations mobilising volunteers and responders to strengthen conflict-sensitive approaches, communication skills, and constructive community engagement during crisis response efforts.

• Conflict mitigation toolkit development and dissemination:
  A practical conflict mitigation toolkit in Arabic and English will be refined and disseminated to support volunteers, mediators, and community actors in applying practical conflict-sensitive approaches, active listening, non-violent communication, Do No Harm principles, and Psychological First Aid.
  

The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The initiative is implemented by the Berghof Foundation in collaboration with insider mediators, local actors, and the Lebanon Insider Mediation Network established with the support of UNDP.