WHAT DO WE DO
Conflict transformation, Peacebuilding and Nonviolence
As part of our commitment to fostering peaceful and resilient communities, our conflict transformation and peacebuilding efforts prioritize youth engagement, community empowerment, and the promotion of nonviolence. We establish and train peace clubs both in schools and at community level to serve as platforms for peer learning, early conflict detection, and positive influence.
To strengthen local capacity for peace, we conduct trainings for youth leaders, community structures, and influencers to enhance their skills in conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution. Culturally appropriate and youth-friendly events—such as football tournaments, cultural galas, and inter-community dialogues—are organized to build trust, promote social cohesion, and reduce tensions among diverse groups.
Women, Girlchild and Youth Empowerment
At CEPAD-WN, we empower women, girls, and youth to become agents of inclusive social transformation. Our holistic, community-driven interventions are designed to strengthen capacities, build resilience, and foster equitable spaces for meaningful participation in decision-making and development processes.
Grounded in our strategic plan, our work addresses key systemic barriers—including
gender-based violence (GBV), harmful social norms, and limited economic opportunities—while promoting education, skills development, mental well-being, and gender equality.
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response
We deliver comprehensive, survivor-centered GBV interventions focused on prevention, response, and long-term empowerment. Our work includes:
Case management, psychosocial support, and capacity building to improve GBV prevention and response.
Girl Shine methodology to support adolescent girls affected by or at risk of GBV.
Role Model Men and Boys (RMMB) initiative to engage male champions in promoting positive masculinity and challenging harmful gender norms.
Comic book sessions to raise awareness and spark dialogue in an engaging, youth-friendly way.
Women Lead in Emergencies (WLIE): This initiative empowers women—especially survivors and those at risk—to take active leadership roles in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Through community-driven actions, WLIE promotes healing, self-reliance, and gender-responsive solutions in crisis settings, ensuring that women’s voices and priorities are central to humanitarian efforts.
Menstrual Health Management We advance menstrual health and hygiene among girls and women through targeted education and training on Hand making of re userble pads, distribution of dignity kits like B-free cups, Re-userble and disposable pads, and community sensitization. These efforts help reduce stigma, promote dignity, and support school retention for girls.
Child Protection Our child protection programming includes case management, emergency support, and trauma-informed approaches such as BETHERE for Caregivers .
We collaborate with local child protection actors to strengthen community systems that uphold children’s safety, rights, and overall well-being.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) We provide a wide range of MHPSS services to address the emotional and psychological needs of individuals and families, including:
Individual therapy and case management
Structured group sessions using evidence-based methodologies:
TEAM UP – supporting children’s recovery from trauma through play and group activities.
EASE – helping adolescents and caregivers manage stress and emotional challenges.
PM+ (Problem Management Plus) – a WHO-endorsed intervention for adults facing common mental health and psychosocial challenges.Girls’ Empowerment and Education We promote girls’ rights to education by addressing root causes of school dropout, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy. Our approach includes mentorship, life skills coaching, and community engagement to foster safe, inclusive learning environments where girls can thrive and lead.
Economic EmpowermentWe support women and youth in achieving economic independence through:
Skills training and vocational support
Small business loans and entrepreneurship development
Market linkages and business mentorship
Governance & Democracy
At CEPAD-WN, we believe that good governance is the foundation for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development. Our approach promotes a culture and institutional environment where citizens and stakeholders engage meaningfully with each other and participate actively in public affairs.
We strengthen governance by focusing on practical, community-driven actions that reinforce accountability, transparency, and inclusive decision-making at all levels. Here’s how we do it:
Civic Engagement and Participation We empower communities—especially women, youth, and marginalized groups—to engage in public dialogue, claim their rights, and influence decisions that affect their lives. We facilitate community forums, town hall meetings, and participatory planning sessions to ensure diverse voices are represented in governance processes.
Capacity Building for Local Leadership and InstitutionsWe train local leaders, community-based organizations, and grassroots structures on governance principles, leadership skills, and participatory approaches. This enhances their ability to deliver services effectively, manage resources responsibly, and remain accountable to their communities. Additionally, through our partnership with the Feminist Humanitarian Network, we provide funding and support to women-led and women-focused organizations to strengthen their leadership and institutional capacities.
Social Accountability Mechanisms We promote transparency and accountability through community scorecards, feedback mechanisms, and monitoring tools that allow citizens to evaluate service delivery, raise concerns, and engage in constructive dialogue with duty-bearers.
Advocacy and Policy Influence Through research, stakeholder engagement, and coalition building, we advocate for policies that uphold human rights, gender equality, and social justice. We support communities in voicing their concerns to local and national authorities and in demanding inclusive governance.
Promoting Rule of Law and Equity We work with local justice actors and community leaders to strengthen legal awareness, promote peaceful dispute resolution, and ensure that governance processes are fair, inclusive, and guided by the rule of law.
By embedding governance in all our programs, we create systems that are not only responsive and transparent, but also inclusive and people-centered—laying the groundwork for long-term social transformation and resilience.
Environment, Land and Climate Change
At CEPAD-WN, we are dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience, particularly among vulnerable communities including refugees and host populations. Our interventions aim to equip communities with the knowledge and tools to adapt to climate change, protect their natural environment, and reduce environmental degradation.
We work to:
Educate communities about climate change, its causes, impacts, and the importance of environmental stewardship.
Build capacity to mitigate climate risks and adapt to changing environmental conditions through training and awareness-raising.
Introduce alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on charcoal and wood fuel, which are major drivers of deforestation.
Enhance water security and promote sustainable land use practices that preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.
Climate change has far-reaching implications for natural ecosystems, agriculture, energy, tourism, and water systems. It increases vulnerability to soil erosion, salinization, landslides, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events. Refugee and host communities, who heavily depend on natural resources for survival, are particularly at risk. CEPAD-WN addresses these challenges through community-based adaptation strategies and by promoting sustainable, environmentally conscious alternatives that strengthen resilience and protect livelihoods.