Peace Connect global gathering brings local peacebuilders to the forefront

Peace Connect global gathering brings local peacebuilders to the forefront | Photo: Wambui

As conflicts intensify and resources for peacebuilding continue to dwindle, the Peace Connect global gathering, held in Nairobi from 13 to 17 October 2025, became a defining moment for the international peace community. Hosted by Peace Direct, the five-day event brought together more than 650 peacebuilders and allies from 72 countries, highlighting the leadership of practitioners from the Global South and reinforcing the idea that sustainable peace must be locally led and globally supported.

A meeting ground for change

Set against a backdrop of growing militarisation and a record $2.4 trillion in global military expenditure in 2024, Peace Connect offered a powerful alternative vision. Rather than a conventional conference, it evolved into a collective act of solidarity, reclaiming the peacebuilding narrative from top-down frameworks and returning it to the communities most affected by violence.

The agenda, designed by an advisory group of local peacebuilders, featured masterclasses, open discussions, and regional dialogues that encouraged collaboration over hierarchy. Key themes included funding reform, decolonisation of aid, gender justice, youth leadership, and digital resilience in conflict zones.

Restoring the human dimension

A distinctive feature of the gathering was its focus on the well-being of peacebuilders. A dedicated rest day and sessions on mental health and resilience reflected the belief that sustainable peace begins with personal restoration. Participants shared their experiences of emotional strain and exchanged community-based strategies for coping and recovery.

Shifting the balance of power

Peace Connect also represented a deliberate effort to address long-standing imbalances between the Global North and South. Around 80 percent of delegates came from conflict-affected regions, with donors, policymakers, and allies from the Global North making up the rest.

The structure embodied the growing #ShiftThePower movement, in line with networks such as UNOY, GPPAC, and the Local Peacebuilding Consortium. The event produced several commitments, including a joint declaration on locally led peacebuilding, the creation of a Global Fund for Community Peace Initiatives, and a peer-support network linking practitioners from Afghanistan, Sudan, Colombia, and Ukraine.

Building momentum amid global strain

The gathering also explored the tightening civic space for peacebuilders around the world. With many grassroots organisations facing reduced donor flexibility and increased security risks, discussions focused on alternative financing, regional cooperation, and community-led accountability. These outcomes closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions, reinforcing the idea that peace cannot be imposed from outside but must grow from trust within communities.

A lasting legacy

As the conference came to a close, delegates expressed a renewed sense of unity and purpose. The final session emphasised that the legacy of Peace Connect 2025 would not be measured by its speeches or sessions but by the relationships and commitments built across continents—between those living through conflict and those able to support their efforts. Peace Direct announced that a Peace Connect Report 2025 will be published later this year, capturing the stories, strategies, and collaborations that emerged in Nairobi.

For more information about Peace Connect and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives, visit www.peacedirect.org.