Irma Specht, et.al., January, 2015

The new approach of Community Based (Re)integration and Security (CBRS) presents an innovative approach for more comprehensive context and community driven reintegration, integration, resilience and community security programming. It responds to the different dynamics of (re)integration and resilience processes, target groups (e.g. ex-combatants, returnees, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups and other children and youth at risk), and receiving- and host communities.

Several targeted (re)integration, self-reliance, and local integration projects usually occur in parallel, tend to create further divisions in the communities, and are often not sustainable. Most programmes are highly centralised and thereby do not adequately respond to local contexts nor empower local actors to plan, execute, and own the processes. In addition, localised conflicts often continue to exist within and between communities. It is likely that ex-combatants and other youth could be drawn into these local conflicts on account of their Conflict Carrying Capacities, the widespread availability of weapons, and due to a lack of existing opportunities in the legal economy. Their involvement in these local conflicts could subsequently lead to continuing cycles of conflict. Meanwhile, community members often express the urgent need to control small arms in the localities. Communities furthermore want to move away from conflict and violence and have their development needs addressed.

This new approach proposes different means to build bridges between the different reintegration, community security, and resilience approaches in order to foster durable solutions, stability, local economic development, and (re)integration of the different groups in their host- or receiving communities.

PDF: Concept Note on Community Based (Re)Integration and Security (CBRS)

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