Niger

In Niger, we work with young people, women, civil society organisations (CSOs), administrative, traditional and religious authorities – as well as community-based peace structures. Together, we focus on building more united, resilient communities in a context of growing insecurity and climate change pressures.

Our work reflects the urgent need to prevent violence and focuses on four priorities:

Strengthening relations and trust within and between communities and local authorities

Improving local capacity to prevent and manage conflict

Ensuring programmes account for both conflict dynamics and gender issues

Connecting humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts in Niger so they reinforce one another

Central to our approach is supporting better management of natural resources – land, water, pasture – in ways that reduce competition and conflict. We also advocate for developing flexible strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts, particularly in the most vulnerable areas.

We provide training, conduct needs assessments, and carry out conflict analysis to support our partners, local authorities and community leaders in improving mutual trust and understanding with and between communities.

We are running a new project, funded by the Open Society Foundations, to help young people and women play a greater role in their communities’ economic, social and political life. It focuses on helping young people and women gain economic independence and boosting their leadership skills, so they can advocate for their needs and priorities. These efforts contribute to building stronger, more peaceful and inclusive communities.

Our partners in Niger

Understanding conflict context in Niger

Niger sits within the Sahel – a semi-arid region stretching across West and Central Africa – where security has deteriorated sharply in recent years. An alarming rise in violence and extremism is fuelled by tensions between various terrorist groups and members of local communities. It is compounded by weak local mediation and conflict resolution mechanisms.

Competition over natural resources is a significant driver of conflict. Access to land, water, and pasture has long been a source of tension between different groups. In this context, transhumant pastoralism – a way of life in which herders move seasonally with their livestock in search of pasture – remains vital to many rural communities but is increasingly under pressure. However, the state or traditional authorities often lack capacity to mediate clashes of interest between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders, leaving grievances unresolved.

Climate change is intensifying this already precarious situation. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts and floods are shrinking the resources communities depend on. Growing land and water scarcity are driving displacement and deepening tensions between local populations.

Violent extremist groups exploit these pressures deliberately. They leverage weak natural resource governance and existing social divisions to legitimise their presence, recruit new members and build local alliances.

These deeply interconnected challenges underline why long-term, locally grounded peacebuilding efforts remain essential – not just to manage conflict, but to address the conditions allowing it to take hold.