URL: www.gop-unmdp.org

Project Period: June 2001 - May 2005

Partner(s): Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), local government units and offices in SZOPAD area (15 provinces), civil society including grassroot peace-building organizations and former combatants

The programme seeked to strengthen community-based management of productive capacities in communities that have demonstrated commitment to peace-building; expand the community scope beyond MNLF families to include Christians and indigenous peoples also affected by armed conflict, and reinforce the role of local government units (LGUs) as frontline institutions of governance. 

Achievements and Impact

Following three years of implementation, the most important impact of the Programme has been to transform attitudes and values of MNLF members towards peace and development. An independent evaluation of the Programme has found it to have contributed to the reduction of violent conflict in its areas of implementation.

Community organizing and training for PDC members has empowered the community to engage in developmental work and shift mindsets from a combat/defense orientation to peace and development advocacy.

Peace and development advocates have been trained to serve as resources for peace-building in their respective and neighbouring communities. The Programme has also enabled the formulation of Barangay Development Plans with the broad participation of the people, thus bridging the community to local institutions of governance.

Through delivery of basic services, skills training and the development of sustainable livelihoods and community enterprises, the Programme has increased the capability of the community to implement and manage development projects.  The Programme is also seen to have contributed to increased trust and confidence in government.

In partnership with the Notre Dame Foundation for Charitable Activities, community access to education and free flow of information through community radio and peace literacy classes were implemented in 32 barangays in ARMM, Western and South Central Mindanao. 

A total of 5,089 women and men completed basic adult and advance adult education. Majority of the women-completers expressed satisfaction with the Community Education Project as they were able to vote in the last barangay elections in 2002. They now feel confident in engaging in community enterprises because they now know how to read and count.

The seven community radio stations are operated with the support from the municipal LGUs. The radio stations serve as mechanism not only for information dissemination purposes but more importantly for peace promotion. After the Siocon Seige, for example, the radio station contributed to the prevention of conflict by clarifying issues on the event.