How can local peacebuilders collaborate with environmental experts? 3 lessons from Central Asia

Across Central Asia, climate change is intensifying pressures on water, land and livelihoods, which increases the risk of conflict. Yet many communities still view climate action as a "foreign agenda" rather than an issue that directly affects their daily lives.

The Foundation for Tolerance International (FTI), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict Central Asia Regional Secretariat, is working to change that by partnering with environmental experts and drawing on its long-standing experience in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Together, they are making climate-sensitive peacebuilding more relevant and meaningful for local communities. What can peacebuilders learn from this collaboration? Discover three practical lessons from Central Asia on how building partnerships across sectors can strengthen both climate resilience and peace.

Peacebuilders do not need to become climate experts to act on climate risks, but greater and more sustainable impact is possible when they start collaborating with them. Reach out to environmental experts in your network, begin learning each other's language and bring climate conversations into your community dialogues. Small steps, like connecting people, translating knowledge and building trust, can help turn environmental challenges into opportunities for cooperation and conflict prevention, just like the ECCP community. Read the full story on GPPAC’s website.

Co-funded by the European Union, this work is part of GPPAC’s CLIMPSE – Climate, Peace and Security: See More. Act Together project, which empowers local peacebuilders to act on the connections between climate, peace and security. By amplifying local solutions, the project informs policies and inspires action for the safety and security of people, communities and societies. Click here to find out more about CLIMPSE.