Participating Organizations

ECI and HHI partnered with these organizations to assist with relevant data collection in their respective geographic areas. Each NGO provided two researchers who were trained in the three data collection techniques employed in this study.

ACIAR operates DDR programs in Mahagi and Dujugu. ACIAR has supported the socioeconomic reintegration of more than 1,200 youths since its official establishment in 1998. It is financed by UNDP.

AJEDI-Ka is a NGO based in Uvira. AJEDI-Ka’s mission is to support the development of youths in Kalundu, particularly vulnerable youth and former underage combatants. They have previously worked in partnership with a range of organizations including American Jewish Services, UNICEF, Save the Children and Amnesty International.

CARITAS Bunia runs DDR programs throughout the district of Ituri, for both youths and adults, with the support of COOPI, IRC, UNICEF and UNDP. CARITAS Bunia has supported the reintegration of more than 2,000 youths in Ituri.

Founded by Ben Affleck, Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) is the first U.S. based advocacy and grant-making initiative wholly focused on working with and for the people of eastern Congo. We envision an eastern Congo vibrant with abundant opportunities for economic and social development, where a robust civil society can flourish. ECI believes that local, community-based approaches are essential to creating a sustainable and successful society in eastern Congo.

ETN is based in Goma and coordinates socioeconomic reintegration programs for former combatants in Masisi, Walikale and various suburbs of Goma. ETN has partnered with Norwegian Church Aid, Finn Church Aid, CARE and UNDP.

GRAADE is active in Walikale territory and supported by UNICEF. GRAADE supports the reintegration of former underage combatants and operates a residential and training center in Walikale for youths formerly associated with armed groups. GRAADE also helps these youths to return to their communities after the completion of the training program.

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) Women in War Program seeks to investigate and address women’s needs in today’s most unstable environments. The Women in War program employs a participatory research approach grounded in collaborations with international and local non-governmental organizations as well as community-based associations. This approach helps us bring the voices of the experts—those affected by violence and instability—to practitioners and policy makers to catalyze the development of more effective programming.

PREV-HIA is an initiative of CELPA, a branch of the Congolese protestant church. The organization implements DDR programs for vulnerable youths in Mwenga, Kalehe and Rutshuru. It is supported by Hope in Action, the Norwegian Embassy and the Swedish Embassy.