Contents

Instrument for Stability Crisis Response Global Reach – Overview Map 5

Instrument for Stability Crisis Response Measures adopted and ongoing in 2013 6

Progress Reports by Country/Region/Location (cut-off date 31/12/2013) 6

Afghanistan. 7

Bahrain.......................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................... 11

Bolivia... 13

Bosnia and Herzegovina. 15

Burkina Faso. 17

Burundi. 19

Central African Republic. 21

Chad... 23

Colombia. 25

Côte d'Ivoire. 28

Dominican Republic. 31

Instrument for Stability, 2007-2013 Crisis Response Measures - Overview by Location

Instrument for Stability Crisis Response Global Reach – Overview Map

Instrument for Stability Crisis Response Measures adopted and ongoing in 2013

Progress Reports by Country/Region/Location (cut-off date 31/12/2013)

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Afghanistan

Title of IfS Decision || (1) Support to the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission to develop and Consolidate capacity for future elections. 2) Civilian Police Capacity Building in Afghanistan. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Elections, Security Sector Reform.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 1) 25/11/2011. 2) 06/05/2011 (amended 05/09/2011).

Amount(s) || 1) Contracted EUR 10,000,000 Paid: EUR 9,834,586. 2) Contracted: EUR 15,000,000 Paid: EUR 13,871,357.00.

Start Date of Project || 1) 19/03/2012. 2) 19/10/2011.

End Date || 1) 01/12/2015. 2) 18/10/2013.

Context of Instability After 12 years of the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan is still a fragile state and insurgency continues to create widespread insecurity. The Afghan government is struggling to provide internal stability, deliver basic public services and implement the rule of law. During the current so-called decade of transformation, Afghanistan faces critical challenges to deepen the democratic culture in the country and to increase legitimacy towards the Afghan people by strengthening formal and informal accountability and oversight mechanisms. The 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan are a key element of stability. They are seen as a litmus test for democratic progress in Afghanistan and the consolidation of the established governance system. A legitimate electoral process marks the country’s first real democratic transfer of power. In order for Afghanistan to move towards post-conflict stability, progress in security sector reform and the consolidation of a civilian police force is crucial to ensure law and order, uphold the rule of law, protect the constitutional rights of Afghanistan's citizens and secure the conditions for socio-economic development. The Afghan National Police (ANP) needs to further improve its capacity in crime investigation, intelligence-led policing and coordination with the other law enforcement institutions in order to better protect the public against crime and lawlessness. Thereby, it builds trust between the police and local communities. This in turn is essential to consolidate the ANP as an important factor of the Afghan National Security Forces in view of the transition of responsibility for security from international forces to Afghan forces which is expected to be finalised by the end of 2014. The EU has been deeply involved in politically and financially supporting both Afghan elections and the civilian police, and the Instrument for Stability (IfS) has been an effective crisis response tool. Short Description 1) The UNDP project “Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow phase II” (ELECT II) runs from January 2012 until December 2015 as the primary mechanism for international technical support to the national electoral institutions to plan and administer Afghan-led credible elections. UNDP ELECT-II has undertaken two-pronged support to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Independent Election Complaints Commission (IECC). Long-term assistance was provided, focusing on institutional capacity-building in order for the IEC to prepare and conduct all phases of the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.. 2) The Civilian Police Capacity Building project, implemented in 2012 and 2013 was to contribute to the stabilisation of Afghanistan by strengthening the law enforcement capacity of the Afghan National Police. A civilian police force capable of upholding the rule of law is at the core of a functioning state and necessary for it to address the root causes of alienation that drive the insurgency. The EU's consistent and continuous backing of a more civilian-focused police has gained broad recognition among relevant actors, not least the recently appointed new Minister of Interior. The project was not only facilitated by the technical expertise of the European Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL), it also broadly complemented and enhanced this mission's activities. In addition to the construction and refurbishment of the Kabul Police Staff College and the Crime Management College, the project included three small-scale capacity-building components aimed at enhancing law enforcement and supporting the wider rule of law through mentoring and training, workshops and awareness campaigns. Under the Police-e Mardume component, community policing units were established in Kabul and several provinces and related training conducted. The remaining two components aimed at improving the linkage between the police and the justice system. The Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) component focused on combating violence against women through capacity building for the EVAW units within the Attorney General’s Office, as well as through workshops and an awareness campaign in Kabul, Herat, Kunduz and Balkh provinces. The Legal Aid component aimed at strengthening the interaction between the ANP on the one hand and defence lawyers or legal aid providers on the other hand, and thus at increasing access to justice. Activities and State of Play 1) In preparation for the 2014 elections, ELECT II already began to support the IEC in 2013 for the development of an electoral operational and procurement plan, and related security and fraud mitigation measures. Furthermore, the IEC's electoral regulations and policies, electoral procedures, guidelines and code of conducts were reviewed against the legal framework enacted by the Afghan parliament in 2013. This has enabled the progressive implementation of a large number of the recommendations issued by the 2009 and 2010 EU Election Observation Missions. The ongoing institutional capacity building of the IEC has also enabled the almost 2,000 IEC staff members, of whom 20 percent are women, to benefit from capacity-building through training and day-to-day technical advice focusing on human rights, international standards and best practices for democratic elections. This capacity-building was provided to the IEC Commissioners and also staff from the CEO’s office, the Legal Department and the Training Department. The most important direct electoral support included the conduct of a nationwide voter registration ‘top-up’ campaign. Of the over 3.6 million mostly newly registered Afghans, 35% are women. The IEC recruited and trained some 5,619 officials - of whom almost 34% are women - for the voter registration process. More than 16.7 million radio listeners and 2.7 million television viewers received information in Dari and Pashto on the registration process, the candidates' nomination and the importance of women's participation in the elections. ELECT II also provides assistance to the IEC’s Gender Unit in order to promote gender mainstreaming in the electoral process, as well as throughout IEC institutional practices. Consideration of gender perspectives are progressively incorporated in IEC regulations and procedures for the conduct of elections, as well as personnel policy and public outreach initiatives. A Gender and Election Coordination Group has been established to engage with women’s rights advocates, relevant government structures, and international organisations on issues on the interface of gender and elections. About 25,000 community and religious leaders, government officials, women, young voters, political actors and journalists participated in more than 170 provincial and regional consultations conducted in 2013 by the IEC to increase awareness on voter registration, the candidates' nomination process, legal reform, and women’s and youth participation. The support also secured the establishment of the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) and the IEC Media Commission. The 2014 electoral race has 11 so-called presidential and vice-presidential tickets or teams that are broadly ethnically inclusive and present the electorate with a range of choices. At the provincial level, 2,713 candidates, of whom 308 are women, are competing for 458 seats across the nation’s 34 provinces. 2) The Afghan National Police Staff College and the Crime Management College were officially handed over to the Afghan Ministry of Interior at the beginning of 2014. The two colleges are flagship projects for support to the civilian policing in Afghanistan. With an investment of EUR 9.5 million, the establishment of the Afghan Natio­nal Police Staff College marks a milestone in the development of a comprehensive professional educa­tion system for the ANP, and enables senior Afghan police officers to receive training in leadership skills and policing techniques. At the previous temporary training facility, EUPOL has held specialist training of trainers which allowed testing the capability and theory of the concept. Over 6,000 ANP officers have graduated from the temporary training facility (as of January 2014). This has also enabled the EUPOL training staff to move from a classroom delivery role into a more advisory and technical role. The refurbishment of the Crime Management College is a contribution to Afghanistan's capacities in fighting organized crime. It provides a modern learning environment for ANP of all ranks in crime investigation techniques. It constitutes a considerable improvement from the temporary training facility at the Central Training Centre (CTC) provided by the MoI. To date over 3,500 students have been trained at the temporary training facility, while the new college allows the combined effort of the European Union, EUPOL, the ANP Training General Command and the MoI in the area of Criminal Investigation to advance further. In addition to the construction and refurbishment of the two colleges, the project included three small-scale components facilitated by EUPOL Afghanistan. Under the Police-e Mardume (PeM) Project, community policing units were established in 7 provinces providing adequate vehicles as mobile police stations, carrying out police-community liaison activities and an awareness raising campaign. The Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) aimed at combating violence against women through capacity building, which was done through training, mentoring and material assistance to the EVAW units within the Attorney General’s Office. The results have been mixed as the objectives were set very high, and cooperation between the police and prosecution has not yet reached a level where cases of violence against women are handled efficiently based on a gender and victim sensitive model. Despite training and workshops, the knowledge and skill levels remain fairly low. The Legal Aid component created an effective incident reporting system together with an improved system of collecting and analysing intelligence. A community outreach and public awareness raising campaign of the role of the ANP were launched, and EUPOL conducted activities to strengthen the relationship between police and prosecutors in Kabul and some provinces. The specific training programs were intended for legal aid providers, including the Legal Aid Department (LAD) at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and the defence lawyers of the Afghan Independent Bar Association (AIBA), as well as for relevant members of the police force. Through this project, EUPOL increased the understanding of the 29 referral mechanisms between the Police, LAD, AIBA and MoI lawyers on legal aid, fair trial standards and defence rights. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response 1) The 2014 presidential and provincial elections are considered a critical milestone of the decade of transformation. Elections are one of the five key areas under the Tokyo Mutual Agreement Framework (TMAF) signed by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community, and remain central to the international political dialogue with the Government of Afghanistan. The UNDP's ELECT II program has a de facto monopoly as a pooled funding mechanism. It therefore relies on the participation of most of the main donors, including EU Member States. The electoral process is being complemented by international observation missions and support to domestic elections observers, which are fully covered by existing international contributions. 2) As the full transition of security to Afghan responsibility draws closer, the security sector is increasingly looking at the Afghan National Police as both a counter-insurgency force and a law enforcement institution. EUPOL and its training capacities are at the forefront of the effort to build a strong rule of law based police force that answers the needs of the communities that it serves. By supporting EUPOL with the necessary infrastructure, the Civilian Police Capacity Building project is fully aligned with the EU's broader strategy to support improvements in Afghan governance. The tendency is for LOTFA and EUPOL to work ever closer together. Work in police reform is also complemented by support to the formal justice system, public administration and non-state actors, to strengthen the Government of Afghanistan's delivery of justice and other services, in full respect of human rights, as well as to bolster the civil society organisations that must hold it to account.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Bahrain

Title of IfS Decision || Assistance for the implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Security Sector Reform/Rule of Law/Human Rights.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 24/03/2014.

Amount(s) || Contracted EUR 216,571 and Paid EUR 173,256.

Start Date of Project || 01/10/2012.

End Date || 31/03/2014.

Context of Instability Almost three years after the resurgence of unrest in Bahrain in February 2011, the situation remains fragile and marked by a degree of sectarian strife. Although the authorities have presented many reform proposals and undertaken a National Consensus Dialogue, large segments of society remain disaffected. Protests in villages outside Manama continue to occur frequently often resulting in violence and, on some occasions, result in casualties among civilians and the security forces, worsening current political tensions. Short Description As part of the broader efforts to encourage confidence building measures and to improve the Human Rights situation, the EU has awarded a grant contract to the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) to reinforce the implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry's recommendations (2011), especially those concerning the investigation of torture and ill treatment within the judicial and security sectors, by: a) Designing and delivering comprehensive training curriculum for: - Staff of the Ministry of Interior's Ombudsman office and the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) on the prohibition of torture and other forms of ill-treatment with specific reference to the Istanbul Protocol. - the Members of the Council of Representatives (elected lower chamber of parliament), particularly for its Human Rights Committee, and possibly also for the Members of the Shura Council (appointed upper chamber of parliament), on the role of parliaments in upholding and scrutinising national and international human rights obligations, focusing on the BICI recommendations; and - defenders of victims of torture, especially defence lawyers. b) Disseminating inter alia the Arabic translation of the United Nations/International Bar Association training manual on human rights and the administration of justice for judges, prosecutors and lawyers. Activities and State of Play IBAHRI conducted three scoping missions (in October 2012, March and June 2013) to identify areas of the BICI report in which the EU could bring added value. In September 2013, almost the entire staff of the NIHR (i.e. the legal team, the research unit, communications, administrative and office staff) received training. In October, members of the Police Ombudsman's Office, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Office (20 participants) received training, including from experts knowledgeable of the experience in the Northern-Ireland conflict. Preparations for the training of parliamentarians and of lawyers are moving forward. The Human Rights Committee of the upper chamber has approved the curriculum and the parliamentarians' training was planned for the first quarter of 2014. The lawyers' training shall take place immediately after. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response The work of this project is closely linked to the implementation of the BICI recommendations and by extension to broader efforts to improve the Human Rights situation in Bahrain and contribute to a peaceful and lasting resolution of the ongoing sectarian strife and of the current political stalemate. This IfS Action has been designed and implemented taking into account complementary efforts made by other international partners present in Bahrain.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Bolivia

Title of IfS Decision || Support to addressing socio-political conflict in Bolivia. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Institutional capacity building, conflict mediation.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 02/08/2012.

Amount(s) || Contracted EUR 3,800,000 and Paid EUR 2,451,112.00.

Start Date of Project || (1) 01/11/2012; (2) 12/11/2012; (3) 13/11/2012; (4) 20/11/2012; (5) 05/12/2012; (6) 29/11/2012; (7) 17/12/2012.

End Date || (1) 30/04/2014; (2) 12/05/2014; (3) 31/08/2014; (4) 20/07/2014; (5) 04/12/2014; (6) 28/09/2014; (7) 04/11/2014.

Context of Instability Despite the favourable conditions produced by recent years of sustained economic growth in Bolivia, socio-political instability and high levels of conflict remain central challenges to Bolivian democracy and ongoing reforms. The number of conflicts has grown fast in recent years, from 282 in 2009 to 1406 in 2011 and 1454 in 2013[1] - the highest number of conflicts since 1970. Although conflict in 2013 was at an all-time high, conflicts may not have been as destabilising or emblematic as in previous years. Conflicts were mainly socio-economic in nature. Throughout the year, government pressure on civil society continued, culminating in December in the expulsion of a prominent Danish NGO for alleged political interference. Short Description “Support to addressing socio-political conflict in Bolivia”, launched in 2012, aims to help Bolivian society find effective, non-violent means to resolve conflicts that may otherwise pose a threat to the stability of the country. It focuses on three work-streams: 1) Support to the setting up of the new legislative framework for the right to prior consultation of indigenous peoples in their territories and the strengthening of indigenous organisations’ capacities to ensure effective implementation of this right; 2) Strengthening of State and civil society capacities and structures in conflict management and crisis prevention, as well as reinforcement of dialogue between social and State actors; 3) Strengthening of the effectiveness and independence of the judicial system. Activities and State of Play 1. Prior Consultation. Seven UN agencies supported a process of training, socialization and consultation to revise a draft law on indigenous peoples' right to Prior Consultation, involving representatives from indigenous peoples’ organisations and public institutions. A draft law was agreed between government and all major indigenous organisations, which will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly early in 2014. 2. Strengthening of Civil Society's and State institutions' capacities for crisis prevention and constructive conflict management and of dialogue. The “Deutsche Gesellschaft für international Zusammenarbeit” (GiZ) developed a successful dialogue with key Ministries to define priorities, and started training on conflict management with a range of public institutions. Together they developed a digital instrument for conflict monitoring, analysis and early warning, and set up a baseline for public policy on conflict management. The Bolivian UNIR Foundacion started dialogues with nine regional Civil Society organisations and organised capacity building workshops for conflict management. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) also created regional institutional dialogue structures on conflict management. The main themes are public transport, health, hydroelectric projects, environment and development. The project shows that it is possible to involve high level decision makers and their teams in conflict resolution initiatives. Moreover, government and opposition are working together on the project. 3. Strengthening of the judicial system. The Spanish cooperation Agency (AECID), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Red Participación y Justicia (RPJ) organised a wide variety of training courses for judges and their teams on human rights and other issues related to the 2009 Constitution. They have facilitated a number of exchanges with international specialists through seminars and visits to judicial institutions. They have enhanced coordination between the judicial institutions, universities and the School of Judges (including the creation of a 'mixed commission' to promote the development of a judicial career). We are starting to see increasingly confident actors within the system, although complete independence remains some way off. RPJ consolidated its Civil Society platforms throughout the country and reached agreements with judicial bodies on monitoring practices, which started being implemented in the second half of 2013. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response IfS Actions are in line with the EU strategy in Bolivia – a Pilot Country for EU Democracy Support – and our Human Rights Strategy. They contributed to three priority areas of EU development cooperation: reducing political conflict; reinforcing democratic institutions, and strengthening legislation implementing the new Constitution. IfS Actions and new EIDHR projects are closely linked. The intervention in justice helped to strengthen coordinated European intervention in the sector through the EU Justice Working Group, and supported a coordinated programming process for the next period (2014-2020) where several Member States are seeking to work jointly with the EU in this sector. The IfS has also reinforced interaction with other important actors, such as UN agencies and Switzerland.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Title of IfS Decision || Explosive Ordnance and Remnants of War Destruction in Bosnia and Herzegovina. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Post Conflict Recovery/ Disarmament.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 22/03/2013.

Amount(s) || Contracted EUR 3,837,830 and Paid EUR 1,865,894.52.

Start Date of Project || 01/04/2013.

End Date || 31/07/2015.

Context of Instability Bosnia and Herzegovina has over 24,000 tonnes of military ammunition stockpiles, of which over 17,000 tonnes are chemically unstable and represent a high risk of uncontrolled explosion which could possibly lead to human casualties and may have negative impacts for the region as well. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not possess sufficient capacities, capabilities or financial resources, to ensure appropriate standards are in place at the storage facilities. Short Description The overall objective of this IfS funded project is to continue to improve the security, safety and development perspectives for the individuals and the local communities that would be affected by accidental explosions at ammunition storage sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Ministry of Defence and focuses on the destruction of unstable ammunition, the improvement of safety standards of the ammunitions storages and the ammunition control capacity development. This project builds on and continues the work and progress already made within the Explosive Remnants of Warn (ERW) project that was supported and funded under the IfS in two phases during 2008-2011 to an amount of approximately EUR 4.5 million. Activities and State of Play The project activities have been agreed with the project’s key stakeholder, the Ministry of Defence, taking into account the Ministry’s policies and plans for the mid-term period as well as other initiatives aimed at supporting the Ministry and the Armed Forces. Furthermore, the unstable ammunition quantities set for destruction have been approved by the BiH Presidency. Already at this stage, the project has brought significant progress to the rate of destruction of unstable ammunition. The intervention initially focused on the military ammunition destruction site of TROM, Doboj, where 13 ammunition pyrotechnics and specialists were deployed in order to overhaul and operate newly installed ammunition disposal machinery. The results already surpassed the plans in two activities namely industrial demilitarisation of unstable artillery ammunition (36,000 pieces planned, 70,000 pieces achieved) and destruction of unstable small calibre ammunition (2,000,000 pieces planned, 2,500,000 pieces achieved). A methodology for the disposal of white phosphorus was developed and a partnership with other international partners for the disposal of highly hazardous munitions and complex weapon systems, including air bombs and rocket systems, was established. Under the Improvement of Safety Standards of the Ammunition Storages component, the priorities have been defined and approved and the actual works will commence in May 2014. As concerns ammunition control capacity development component, training on contemporary trends in safe weapons and ammunition stockpile management was organised, running from 24 November until 13 December 2013, with the participation of 47 senior officers and officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response This IfS action is fully compliant with the broader EU and the international response. It represents an important segment of the wider EU-led mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ministry of Defence, with EUFOR support, is working on establishing a governance mechanism for the overall weapons and ammunition stockpile management. In this context, the EU project closely cooperates with other activities conducted by the Ministry of Defence, such as EUFOR supported audit and inspection of munitions. The ongoing project is complementary to assistance provided under other instruments, such as the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). While the project does not pursue a CFSP (Common Foreign Security Policy) objective, it indirectly complements the assistance provided in the past in the framework of Council Decision 2010/179/CFSP as well as the support currently foreseen through the ongoing Council Decision 2013/730/CFSP, which is implemented by SEESAC (South-eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons) and the Mobile Training Teams (MTT) of EUFOR, thus helping to ensure overall consistency of EU external policies.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programme in

Burkina Faso

Title of IfS Decision || Support to the legislative & local elections of November 2012. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Electoral support.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 20/09/2012.

Amount(s) || Contracted EUR 3,000,000; Paid EUR 2,400,000.

Start Date || 01/07/2012 (retroactive starting date).

End Date || 31/07/2013.

Context At the end of 2012, as most of government funds had to be diverted to tackle a complex food security crisis, the EU consequently decided to support the electoral process in Burkina Faso as the authorities were committed to organising simultaneous elections at local (“municipalities”- mayors) and national (“legislatives”- Parliament) levels. During the preparation of the process, an agreement between the authorities and the political opposition was reached on the use of a biometric system for voter registration. As the adoption of this system substantially increased the cost of the exercise, the government requested donor support. The EU (with some of its Member States and the United Nations Development Programme – UNDP) responded by setting up a basket fund managed by UNDP in support of the elections. Short Description The project consisted in funding, jointly with other donors, the dual electoral process outlined above. The total cost of the process was approximately EUR 7,500,000. With a EUR 3,000,000 donation, the EU was the largest contributor to the UNDP basket fund. The overall objective of this measure was to help strengthen good governance in Burkina Faso by providing support for the organisation of free and fair elections. More specifically, this action has assisted the institutions in charge of electoral administration, in particular the National Independent Election Commission, in the preparation of the ground for the conduct of credible parliamentary and municipal elections, whit an enhanced democratic participation and in line with international standards. Support has aimed at: (i) reinforcing the organisational, technical, financial and operational capabilities of the various players involved in the process; (ii) promoting civil society participation; (iii) organising voter education and sensitisation campaigns; (iv) training polling staff. Activities and State of Play Parliamentary and municipal elections took place on 2 December 2012 without any major incident, although, due to technical problems, municipal elections had to be repeated in February in a few polling stations. National and international observers who monitored the elections almost unanimously assessed them as reasonably free and fair. The new National Assembly and the municipal councils elected following these elections were all installed and started working between February and May. The voter turnout was positive and the process was perceived as broadly credible both by the population and by political forces, with no appreciable popular stir and only limited complaints of inaccuracy in some specific local situations. From this point of view, it can thus be stated that the IfS measure contributed to the achievement of its goal. In the aftermath of the elections, the priority has now become to ensure the sustainability of the action and the capitalisation of the progress achieved for the next presidential elections scheduled for 2015. All activities were completed on schedule by mid-2013. As no EDF funds were available at the time, the IfS contribution proved extremely useful, as the EU's capability to engage rapidly was crucial, both politically and operationally. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response TheIfS contribution complemented the bilateral support from a number of EU Member States (Sweden, Denmark, and Luxemburg) and other international donors (Switzerland, UNDP) to this action. All these contributions were channelled through a basket fund managed by UNDP, with a steering committee composed of all the donors. Moreover, the project complemented other EU activities in support of the authorities of Burkina Faso in the governance sector which is likely to remain a priority sector under the EDF. In this respect, it is worth mentioning that follow-up EU support to sustain the democratic electoral reform process is envisaged under the EDF.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Burundi

Title of IfS Decision || Politically yours…from Burundi–Technical Assistance for political parties in Burundi. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Political Stability.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 10/12/2012.

Amount(s) || Contracted: EUR 467,301; Paid EUR 373,841.

Start Date of Project || 01/01/2013.

End Date || 31/03/2014.

Context of Instability The Great Lakes region has demonstrated instability in recent years: crisis and conflicts in individual countries of the region have often produced spillover effect in the neighbouring countries. Burundi's stability is influenced by the situation in the Kivu provinces (DRC) characterized by chronic insecurity due to the presence of armed groups, inter-ethnic tensions, illegal mining and trans-border smuggling of minerals. Also, Burundi itself is still in the process of consolidating peace along the lines defined in the 2000 Arusha Agreement. The next elections in 2015 will be a test for the stability of the country. Political violence is still rampant and freedom of information and speech is threatened by new restrictive legislation (media) and intimidation against opponents. Land ownership is also a source of conflict due to the strong demographic pressure and the return of exiled Burundians; poverty is still widespread with chronic malnutrition affecting 58% of the population; unemployment, particularly of the youth, is high. The 2010 elections were boycotted by most of the opposition, leaving the ruling party in a dominating position. Actions to support political participation and inclusive dialogue have been undertaken by the international community and have led to some progress: the government has adopted a "roadmap" towards the 2015 elections, with recommendations agreed by all parties. However, more efforts are needed to implement it. The current constitutional revision and adoption of recent laws (Commission Terres et Biens) are also worrying signals and tendencies to break with the equilibrium reached with Arusha. In this context, the Burundian government has asked for the mandate of the UN Bureau in Burundi (BNUB) not to be extended over 2015. BNUB has played a major role in supporting the country's stabilisation and roadmap towards democratization. Short Description The overall objective of the action of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) "Politically yours…from Burundi–Technical Assistance for political parties in Burundi", is to contribute to unblock the political stalemate in Burundi, avoiding the regression into a political and humanitarian crisis, and contributing to trust building between the main political parties. More specifically, this action aims at improving the political climate in Burundi by strengthening the main political parties' thematic knowledge and internal party discussion, and by facilitating a change in political strategies towards other parties. Expected results: (i) the 13 main political parties’ cadres knowledge, skills and attitudes (built on development constraints and policies, constructive political debate, political programme elaboration and consultation of the constituencies) are enhanced; (ii) the 13 main political parties' cadres communicate and act in an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect; (iii) the 13 main political parties all have a distinct, realistic and relevant political program, covering the main political and development issues, that are well anchored within their parties, reflect their political project and take on the interests of their constituencies. Activities and State of Play The first phase of the project consisted of introductory training on the importance of political programmes for political parties and training on eight thematic subjects: good governance; food security & agriculture; education; land tenure issues; economic development; regional integration; justice & transitional justice; and security. In addition, multiparty trainings of party representatives on internal party democracy and decision-making, as well as outreaching activities, were carried out. The second phase focuses on providing support to political parties to identify the themes and the priorities of their future political programme. The training of party members and leaders has led to their improved capacity to base inter-party dialogue on political programs rather than on personal arguments. Training significantly fostered the party members’ trust and, as a result, the parties’ focal points have formed an association to discuss inter-parties problems such as violence between youth wings. Party leaders accepted the principle that the inclusion of party members at the local level is needed in order to get a broadly supported political program in view of the upcoming 2015 election. The IfS project has been able to adapt well to the unstable political environment (new political party alliances, the revision of the Constitution etc.) in the pre-election context, and has been able to implement the scheduled activities as foreseen. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response While the EU political and diplomatic actions are crucial to support international efforts to stabilise the Great Lakes region, such as the Framework Agreement for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the DRC and the region, the IfS enables the EU to respond to short term and long term crises by providing assistance to key sectors for the consolidation of peace and stability in Burundi, such as multiparty democracy. This IfS action is one of the few ongoing activities in support to political parties in Burundi and is therefore important. The broader EU and international response in the realm of support to the elections is under preparation (basket fund managed by the UNDP) and the EU Delegation has recently launched a call for proposal under the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) budget line with the objective to support peaceful elections in Burundi in 2015, by promoting non-violent communication and peaceful resolution of conflicts targeting political leaders and the youth wings of political parties.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Central African Republic

Title of IfS Decision || (1) Stabilisation programme in response to the crisis following the coup in the Central African Republic. (2) Support for finalisation of the DDR programme in the north-east of the Central African Republic. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Stabilisation and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR).

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || (1) 29/8/2013; (2) 26/10/2012.

Amount(s) || (1) Contracted EUR 7,097,496; Paid EUR 2,091,195. (2) Contracted EUR 3,572,592; Paid EUR 1,974,666.

Start Date of Project || (1) 08/11/2013; (2) 14/11/2012.

End Date || (1) 07/5/2015; (2) Suspended 17/1/2013.

Context of Instability Following the coup in the Central African Republic (CAR) carried out by the Seleka coalition of rebel groups in March 2013, President François Bozizé was removed from office after ten years in power, and a new self-proclaimed Head of State, Michel Djotodia, took power. Agreements negotiated by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) have set an agenda for an 18-month transition period, which should lead to the re-establishment of constitutional order. With the emergence of armed groups such as Anti-Balaka (“Anti-Machete”) in the wake of the Seleka-committed gross human rights violations, counter- and revenge-attacks ensued leading to an escalation of continuous inter-community violence. Despite the political change following the Ndjamena talks of early 2014, which resulted in the decommissioning of Djotodia and the election of Catherine Samba-Panza as Transitional President of CAR, violence between different armed groups and against civilians continues and the transition process remains extremely fragile and could still be jeopardised. Short Description (1) This Exceptional Assistance Measure is designed to help: (a) support the progressive restoration of civil security forces by putting in place pilot units of police and gendarmerie; (b) restore the capacities of independent media; (c) prevent new human rights violations; (d) prevent exacerbation of violent conflicts between religious communities; and (e) complement the efforts of the transitional authorities and international peace-keeping missions to reduce the presence of armed groups and weaponry in Bangui. (2) One of the main features of the previous peace process, which was based on the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2008 before the coup in March 2013, was the implementation of a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, which targeted around 5,200 members of the main political and military signatory groups. Although the DDR process is currently suspended, it is still relevant and the programme could be re-launched. Activities and State of Play (1) The general objective of the stabilisation measure is to contribute to the stability of the country following the serious crisis provoked by the coup. It is based on five components: - The aim of the first component is to deploy police and gendarmerie units rapidly in the capital Bangui so that there is once again a civil security force in the country that will make its presence felt and help to reassure the public. CIVIPOL Conseil France started implementation in November 2013. - The second component aims to restore independent radio stations that were looted or destroyed and thus give the public access to independent and objective information appropriate to this period of conflict. The Swiss NGO Fondation Hirondelle started implementation in December, building on several years of experience in the country and a strong partnership with Rado Ndeke Luka. - The aim of the third component is to deploy human rights observers in order to prevent human rights violations and to help gather witness accounts, evidence and facts on the most serious violations committed in the months gone by, so that the perpetrators may be prosecuted. Negotiation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights were still ongoing by the end of 2013 - The aim of the fourth component is to prevent a further escalation of tensions between communities by initiating inter-community and inter-religious dialogue. The UK based NGO Conciliation Resources started the component in December 2014. - The fifth component, which has yet to be finalised, is designed to complement the efforts of the transitional authorities and international peace-keeping missions to reduce the presence of armed groups and weaponry in Bangui so as to improve security in the capital. (2) The general objective of the DDR programme is to contribute to peace-building and to stabilising the CAR. One copmponent implemented under joint management with the UNDP will carry out demobilisation operations with former combatants. The second project, managed by Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) will assist the national authorities in preparing a reintegration programme and monitoring the DDR process through the provision of technical assistance. There has been no progress in the planned activities due to the deterioration of the political and security context; they have been suspended since January 2013. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response The two exceptional assistance measures form part of the EU’s comprehensive approach in response to the CAR crisis and are complementary to assistance provided under other instruments for stabilisation and recovery, in particular the RESEJEP programme (Rehabilitation of the justice and police sectors) under the 10th EDF to strengthen the administration of justice, contribute to development of a prison system and re-establish the criminal justice system; the EU support to the African-led international support mission (MISCA) through the EU African Peace Facility (APF); and last but not least the large scale humanitarian aid through ECHO.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Chad

Title of IfS Decision || (1) Support to demining and clearance in Northern and Eastern Chad. (2) Support to the reintegration of demobilized militaries from the Chadian national army forces. || Copyright UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Rule of Law/Post Conflict Recovery/Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR).

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || (1) 30/07/2012. (2) 17/12/2012.

Amount(s) || (1) EUR 2,500,000: Contracted EUR 2,500,000; Paid EUR 2,000,000. (2) EUR 5,000,000: Contracted EUR 5,000,000; Paid EUR 3.300.000.

Start Date of Project || (1) 01/10/2012. (2) 01/07/2013.

End Date || (1) 28/02/2014. (2) 31/12/2014.

Context of Instability Large areas of Chad remain affected by mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs), following the war between Chad and Libya (1978-1987) in the north, and the successive rebellions (2003-2009) in the east of the country. Recent surveys and the increase of mine-related accidents show that the north, in particular Tibesti, is the region most affected by mines. Its proximity to Libya and its mine contamination make Tibesti a safe haven for illegal trafficking. In the east, the mined zones result from internal rebellions and the Darfur conflict (2003-2010). The increasing terrorist and rebel movements in the region (Libya, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Cameroon, Republic of Central Africa and Sudan) justifies that the mine contaminated areas be rapidly depolluted so as to allow effective access to the authorities. In the east, demining is a precondition to provide assistance aiming at the resettlement and/or safe return of internally displaced persons and/or refugees. The large number of demobilized militaries is also a threat to the stability of the country especially considering the general instability in countries neighbouring Chad (rebellions, terrorism, ethnic based conflicts, human/goods/drugs/arms and ammunitions trafficking). Short Description (1) The first intervention provides mobile clearance capacity to reduce the number of landmine and UXO-related accidents in northern and eastern Chad. The IfS intervention aims at i) deploying two Multiple Task Teams (MTT) in Northern Chad to open the main route between Bourkou and Tibesti regions and ii) deploying one MTT in eastern Chad (Abeche). MTTs carry out all mine/UXO clearance related tasks in line with the International Mine Standards (IMAS). (2) The second intervention facilitates the social and economic reintegration of 5,000 militaries demobilised in 2011. It provides professional orientation, training (such as agriculture, small business) and provision of equipment according to the professional background and/or professional reintegration plan of the beneficiary. Campaigns to raise awareness on human rights, civic education, health and other topics will also be organised. Activities and State of Play (1) The action is implemented by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and is ending early 2014. Since the beginning of the project, 579 persons benefited from mine risk education activities, 423 000 m² were cleared. All activities were carried out in close collaboration with the National Centre for Demining. (2) The project started in July 2013 and is implemented by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The manual for reintegration and the communication strategy of the project are ready for dissemination. The contracts with the local institutions in charge of accompanying the demobilised militaries were only signed in 2014, allowing formal launch of the reorientation and training activities and balancing the frustration amongst the beneficiaries who expected the project to be implemented faster. The project is liaising daily with the National Coordination of Demobilisation and Reintegration of Militaries created in 2009 under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response The IfS contributions came as an important addition to international efforts in the field of demining and support to reintegration of demobilised soldiers. The demining IfS action is supporting the National Mine Action plan which foresees continuous efforts against mines and UXOs and seeks to alleviate sufferings of mine/UXO's victims. It complements efforts made by other donors in this sector (Japan, Canada and the International Organisation for Migrations), and will be followed by a broader action in support to the National Mine Action Plan to be financed by the 10th European Development Fund (demining, support to victims and support to the National Demining Centre) in the first semester 2014. The programme on reintegration of demobilised militaries is based on the Chadian government plan for disarmament and demobilisation. The joint identification mission (EU, France, World Bank and African Development Bank) assessed how partners could support the government's effort. The IfS action is taking over initial efforts carried out by the World Bank. Close collaboration exists with France on this project.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Colombia

Title of IfS Decision || (1) Support to the 'Working Group on Historical Memory' contributing to a truth process on forced disappearances and kidnappings in Colombia. (2) Support to the effective implementation of Law 1448 on Victims' Rights and Land Restitution. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Rule of Law, Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR), Reconciliation.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || (1) 17/06/2010; (2) 14/12/2012.

Amount(s) || (1) Contracted EUR 1,080,000 and Paid EUR 1,080,000. (2.1) Contracted EUR 1,500,000 and Paid EUR 1,200,000. (2.2) Contracted EUR 3,000,000 and Paid EUR 1899,800. (2.3) Contracted EUR 700,000 and Paid EUR 357,057. (2.4) Contracted EUR 1,200,000 and Paid EUR 821,155.53. (2.5) Contracted EUR 1,000,000 and Paid EUR 770,261.

Start Date of Project || (1) 19/10/2011. (2.1) 23/04/2013; (2.2) 24/04/2013; (2.3) 27/06/2013; (2.4) 01/10/2013; (2.5) 20/03/2013.

End Date || (1) 19/04/2013. (2.1) 22/04/2014; (2.2) 23/09/2014; (2.3) 26/12/2014; (2.4) 31/03/2015; (2.5) 19/07/2014.

Context of Instability After decades of armed conflict, the present Colombian government initiated a number of policy and institutional changes aiming to overcome the protracted armed conflict the country has experienced and its root causes. Forced disappearances of tens of thousands of individuals belong to the serious violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that were perpetrated in Colombia. The effort made by President Santos is taking place against the background of a conflict that continues to produce displacement of tens of thousands of persons, International Humanitarian Law and human rights violations, assassinations of land claimants and other social leaders and serious obstacles for the exercise of political rights. After two years of implementation of the Law on Victims and Land Restitution - the main purpose of which is to bring both land restitution and reparation to victims - results are promising but with delays, mainly due to the magnitude of the problem. Difficulties notwithstanding, a vast majority of the victims and land restitution claimants are seeking those rights and benefits through institutional channels. Tangible progress in the implementation of Law 1448 is an urgent concern that is deemed to significantly enhance the chance of a peace agreement, thereby contributing to on-going conflict resolution efforts. Short Description 1) The project "The Dynamics of Forced Disappearances and Kidnappings in Colombia (1979-2010) – A Contribution to Truth and Historical Memory" is aimed to support a truth process on forced disappearances and kidnappings in Colombia. It includes support to the Centre for Historical Memory (CHM), which has produced reports on massacres and other severe violations of human rights and IHL, committed by guerrilla and paramilitary groups – sometimes with direct state responsibility. The comprehensive report produced by the CHM is helping to establish the true dimension of the crimes perpetrated. This should enable the Colombian State to acknowledge its responsibilities and honour the memory of the victims and their families, thus initiating a credible truth, justice and reconciliation process. 2) The programme 'Support to the effective implementation of Law 1448 on Victims' Rights and Land Restitution' consists of a set of five short-term measures which aim primarily at strengthening the government's capacity to produce concrete implementation results and to tackle obstacles to effective implementation such as: (a) non-technical studies for land release in areas suspected of landmine contamination; (b) administrative support for piloting collective reparations; (c) independent monitoring of and expert advice on the implementation process and inter-institutional coordination; and (d) measures aimed at improving the protection mechanisms for claimants of rights under threat. Activities and State of Play 1) The project contributed to the publication, in June 2013, of the database on kidnappings. This report was presented officially during the ‘Week on Historical Memory and Truth’ held in November which fostered the opening of a space for a truth, justice and reconciliation process in Colombia. The second, more delicate report on forced disappearances has not yet been officially presented due to its high level of sensitivity and the pre-electoral context. Both reports facilitate a truth, justice and reconciliation process in Colombia by publicly stating the truth on two sensitive issues of the Colombian conflict namely kidnappings and forced disappearances. Project activities ended in September. 2) The programme began implementation in April and is contributing significantly to enhance the implementation of the Law. Support is being provided for: (a) inter-institutional coordination at local level between key institutions such as the Victims and Land Restitution Units, the National Protection Unit, the Attorney General's and Ombudsman's Office; (b) victims’ organisations and vulnerable groups (Afro-Colombians, indigenous communities, women and children) in remote areas to have access to individual and collective reparations; (c) community reintegration and reconciliation in highly conflict-affected areas (Barranquilla, Popayán, Turbo, Buenaventura amongst others); (d) monitoring of security conditions and risks associated with the restitution process in five high risk communities (Valencia, Cáceres, Timbiquí, Vista Hermosa and Valle del Guamuéz); and (e) effective participation of victims in local and departmental roundtables on transitional justice as well as contributing to improvements in the implementation by the State of protection measures through improved advocacy and negotiation skills (Departments of La Guajira and Bolívar). Strategic monitoring of the implementation of the law has provided critical information for the key state institutions to be able to adapt quickly to the complex conditions for implementation at local level in the midst of the on-going conflict. Support is being provided to re-enforce the national system of guarantees for human rights defenders and the institutional capacity of the institutions in charge. Through the support provided to the United Nations Mine Action Service in coordination with Colombia's Presidential Programme against Mines and the Land Restitution Unit, non-technical studies are being conducted in the areas prioritised for restitution to rapidly determine the extent of contamination and whether the land can be freed for restitution. This exceptional assistance measure is being implemented by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, by the Organisation of American States' Mission in Support of the Peace Process (MAPP-OEA), by the United Nations Development Programme's Transitional Justice Fund and by Intermón Oxfam in alliance with 10 national platforms specialized in the protection of human rights defenders, land restitution claimants and other social leaders – including those relevant from a gender equality perspective - as well as by the United Nations Mine Action Service. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response Other activities, funded by bilateral development cooperation aiming at strengthening the State's capacities in dealing with victims and their access to reparations and support are linked to this project. Through the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) the EU is funding Country Based Support Scheme activities aiming at strengthening victims' organisations. Overall, these actions provide a comprehensive response to the needs of the victims of the Colombian conflict.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Côte d'Ivoire

Title of IfS Decision || (1) Support to legislative elections and national reconciliation (2012). (2) Support to the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration programme in Côte d'Ivoire. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || (1) Election support; reconciliation and mediation. (2) Support to DDR.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || (1) 12/10/2011. (2) 27/09/2013.

Amount(s) || (1) EUR 11,000,000; Contracted: EUR 10,215,918; Paid: EUR 9,295,445.54. (2) EUR 10 000 000; Contracted: EUR 0.

Start Date of Project || (1)12/10/2011; (2)27/01/2014.

End Date || (1) June 2014; (2) July 2015.

Context of Instability For over ten years, Côte d'Ivoire suffered from internal conflict and instability, which escalated into a countrywide crisis after the presidential elections in November 2010 – the first ones since 2000. The then incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to the internationally recognised winner of the elections, Alassane Ouattara. The post-election crisis lasted nearly five months and ended in April 2011 with the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo. It resulted in more than 3,000 deaths, paralysing the country's economy and causing a humanitarian crisis in the sub-region with more than 150,000 refugees in Liberia and one million internally displaced people. This last crisis annihilated the efforts made for the reinsertion of ex fighters who had been largely remobilised by both sides. The December 2011 legislative elections and April 2013 local elections were essential steps in re-establishing the constitutional order in Côte d'Ivoire and achieving a key goal of the peace process laid out by the Political Accord of Ouagadougou. However, the boycott of the 2013 local elections by the Front Populaire Ivoirien (FPI) of former President Gbagbo and the sporadic violence which occurred during the vote, showed the fragility of the peace process. Even though considerable progress has been made, the security situation remains volatile, with random attacks on security forces and other strategic points all over the country, as well as some human rights violations. It is estimated that around 70,000 ex-fighters, mostly young, armed and unemployed (but often used to complement regular security forces) are still awaiting a DDR process, thus representing a threat to stability and security. Dialogue between government and opposition, mainly with the FPI, is difficult but has however resulted in the release of some imprisoned FPI political leaders and the return of some political exiles. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process is on track, despite delays and challenges, and the Authority for DDR (ADDR) has already enrolled 18,000 ex fighters in the DDR process (out of a list of 74,000). Progress on a national SSR policy and implementation are key elements for 2014, as it was in 2013. The mandate of the Truth, Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR) ended in September 2013 and has not been extended. Most observers agree that the CDVR did not reach its goals and that reconciliation is still a key factor to be achieved for the long term stability of the country. Land issues and those related to citizenship, which are structural causes of the Ivorian crisis, have been partly tackled in 2013, with the revision of the nationality code and the extension of the rural land law. Concrete implementation of those laws now needs to materialise. National cohesion will depend largely on the ability and willingness of Ivoirians to forge a political consensus on all sensitive issues. The 2015 presidential election will be an important step in the normalisation process. It is therefore crucial that the DDR process is completed before 2015. Short Description (1) The first programme aims to contribute to the stabilization of Côte d'Ivoire through (i) support to the preparation and organisation of the legislative elections; and (ii) support to the national reconciliation process. (2) The second programme aims to consolidate peace and stabilization of Côte d'Ivoire. More specifically, through its 3 components (1- support to ADDR; 2- support to the economic and social reinsertion of 5,000 ex fighters; 3- monitoring of the programme) this programme aims at supporting the authority in charge of DDR (ADDR) in implementing its mandate. In addition, a short term technical assistance had been mobilised on IfS funds to support the Delegation during the identification and formulation phase of the programme. Activities and State of Play (1) Activities under the support to legislative elections component were completed in 2012, whereas activities under the reconciliation component continued in 2013. This latter component aims at supporting transitional justice initiatives, enhanced media awareness and conflict-sensitive reporting, conflict resolution related to land disputes as well as strengthening the role of women in the peace process. The project on media awareness and professional journalism as means of conflict prevention terminated its activities in October 2013. These activities were implemented by Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS) and an Ivorian branch of a West African NGO dealing with peace and security of women in the region (RESPFECO). 120 journalists have been trained, 25 local radios have been supported in the development of their communication strategy, 6 radio programmes have been produced and broadcast by 25 radios, and around 200 community events all over the country have been organised. In its sensitization component, the project targeted women and youth in particular and focused on peace, reconciliation and democracy. The project dealing with land disputes implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) was completed in August 2013. It supported the reinforcement of capacities in prevention and resolution of land disputes in 30 villages, trained 300 customaries and public authorities and provided sensitization activities to 3,000 citizens (50% women). Special attention was paid to obstacles to women's access to land and participation in the resolution of land disputes, especially through advocacy activities. This project complemented ECHO interventions which themselves replicated and provided durability to past IfS actions. It will be continued and amplified by a new project under EDF Funds. Land management has been identified as focal sector for the 11th EDF. The transitional justice project ended in February 2014. Despite some delays, various activities have been implemented to support the effective and credible truth and reconciliation process, support the development of transitional justice initiatives and enhance the participation of civil society in the transitional justice processes. It included monitoring and training of the Commission Dialogue, Vérité et Réconciliation (CDVR) members, technical consultations with the Cellule Spéciale d'enquête (CSE) regarding investigation and prosecution of serious international crimes, and civil society organisations on transitional justice and legal procedures. It included gender as a theme in its trainings and raised the issue of gender-based violence. ICTJ will assess the CDVR activities on its own budget. The pilot project aiming at reconciliation between the population and the national police was completed in October 2013 and proved valuable. According to the ongoing evaluation, around 600 police officers received training, 7 police stations have been renovated and equipped; criminality is decreasing in the targeted zones. It will be continued and complemented by a new project under EDF Funds. (2)The financing decision for the DDR project was adopted in September 2013 and the project will be implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) over 18 months, starting in the first quarter of 2014. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response Given the magnitude of the challenges the country is facing and the expectations of the population towards the new regime, IfS support has been crucial in assisting the most urgent priorities to help stabilise the country. In order to prevent another cycle of violence, it is critical to strengthen the capacity of communities to manage and resolve land disputes, to strengthen the capacity of the local media and to reinforce people's safety and trust in authorities, thus creating favourable conditions for national reconciliation and reintegration. The priorities of the transitional period are also addressed by other available means on a longer term basis, i.e. the EIDHR and ANE&AL (les Acteurs Non Etatiques et les Autorités Locales) instruments as well as the European Development Fund (including the budget support programme "State-building contract"), and new projects are capitalising upon the results of IfS actions. EU support comes within a larger international mobilisation from the UN, African development bank or bilateral cooperation (France, Germany, Belgium, Japan, the US) to strengthen national reconciliation and support Security Sector Reform including DDR.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Dominican Republic

Title of IfS Decision || Support for displaced Haitian population and host communities in the Dominican Republic. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Post Disaster Recovery.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 27/06/2011.

Amount(s) || Contracted EUR 5,316,880; Paid EUR 4,184,907.05.

Start Date of Project || 22/07/2011.

End Date || 31/03/2013.

Context of Instability Relations between the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti have historically been tense and ambiguous. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Dominican solidarity was exemplary, but the situation was further complicated because emigration from Haiti to the DR increased in addition to an already large number of mostly irregular migrant workers. Recent trade disputes and the September 2013 ruling of the new Dominican Constitutional Court that could deprive retroactively Dominicans of Haitian descent from their Dominican citizenship have worsened relationship between the two countries, with negative impact on the solution of issues linked to Haitian illegal migration to the DR. However, the two sides are engaged in a high-level dialogue on bi-national issues, including migration, to which the EU has been asked to participate as observer and facilitator. Short Description This IfS intervention consisted of three complementary and innovative components. The largest, implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), provided comprehensive support to documentation for irregular migrants, migrants' rights, ran a dynamic campaign to promote tolerance, built social infrastructure, trained poor host communities and worked with Dominican institutions involved with Haitians. The second component, implemented by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), supported the National Statistics Office within the Ministry of Economy Planning and Development, to carry out a national survey in order to gauge the size, structure, role and contribution of (mostly Haitian) immigrant workers to the economic and social life of the Dominican Republic. This survey changed the parameters of national debate on migration and enabled more effective planning and a more objective policy debate. The third component, implemented by the 'Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra' (PUCMM) deepened and improved media coverage of the sensitive bi-national relations. It also involved work with Haitian journalists facilitating professional contacts and improved information about Haitian and Dominican societies. Activities and State of Play By the end of 2013, all three project components were completed and had made important contributions to stability, human rights and bi-national relations. Some 4,000 illegal Haitian migrants living in the Dominican Republic have acquired Haitian ID documents, allowing them to apply for a Dominican working visa and regularize their status. Dominican asylum procedures were successfully re-established and the respective authorities (police, migration officers and armed forces) received training in how to deal with migrants. The official recognition of the status of refugees, long denied in the past, and an effective tolerance campaign are other significant achievements. The national survey of migrant labour has been successfully carried out in difficult conditions and the data generated information on gender, families, age, educational levels, economic sectors, housing, languages, religious beliefs, remittances and social security contributions. Thanks to this basic study and five subsequent follow-up research studies as well as vigorous diffusion of the results to relevant actors in the government, political parties, media and the general public, the new information has penetrated official and media treatment of the size and nature of migrant populations, thus improving the debate. The last component, the programme “New looks at Dominican-Haitian reality, More and Better Journalism” brought Haitian and Dominican media owners and directors together, raised journalists' awareness on immigration and intercultural issues, and trained them in techniques of investigative journalism. About half of the participants stemming from the two neighbouring countries of the island were women and the professional relationships between Dominican and Haitian journalists built in the framework of this project, may well prove to have the longest lasting impact. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response This IfS action complemented other development interventions and provided a bridge between the EU's humanitarian disaster relief work and longer-term development support. The wider EU cooperation programme addresses sustainable development through support to public administration reform, education and economic competitiveness, fostering bi-national cooperation with Haiti, and projects to promote human rights, in particular of Haitian immigrants of origin. Political dialogue accompanies programme work on these sensitive issues. The EU contribution represents more than half of public development assistance for the country.

[1] www.unirbolivia.org

Table of Contents

Democratic Republic of Congo. 3

Egypt 5

Ethiopia. . 8

El Salvador 11

Fiji 13

Georgia. . 15

Guatemala. 18

Guinea. . 20

Guinea-Bissau. 22

Haiti 24

Jordan. . 26

Kenya. . 28

Kyrgyz Republic. 30

Lebanon. 33

Libya. . 36

Madagascar 39

Mali 41

Islamic Republic of Mauritania. 44

Mauritius. 46

Myanmar/Burma. 48

Nagorno-Karabakh Region. 48

Niger 48

Nigeria. . 48

Pakistan. 48

Palestine. 48

Philippines. 48

Senegal 48

Somalia. . 48

Sudan and South Sudan. 48

Syria. . 48

Tajikistan. 48

Tanzania. 48

Thailand. 48

Togo. . 48

Tunisia. . 48

Yemen............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ 48

Zimbabwe. 48

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Democratic Republic of Congo

Title of IfS Decision/Project || Appui à la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) par des mesures prioritaires et urgentes dans le secteur de la sécurité. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Regional peacebuilding capacity & Security Sector Reform.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 09/12/2011.

Amount(s) || EUR 12,600,000; Contracted: EUR 12,400,000; Paid: EUR 8,844,136.

Start Date of Project || (1) 27/02/2012; (2) 24/02/2012; (3) 31/12/2012; (4) 31/12/2012; (5) 26/12/2012; (6) 24/12/2012.

End Date || (1) 27/02/2014; (2) 31/08/2013; (3) 30/06/2014; (4) 31/07/2014; (5) 30/09/2014; (6) 31/07/2014.

Context of Instability The beginning of 2013 has brought about positive improvements in the national and international security of DRC. A Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for DRC and the region was signed in Addis Ababa, on the 24 February 2013. Furthermore, following the strengthening of the MONUSCO’s mandate, a United Nations Force Intervention Brigade has been created, a force with a mandate unlike any other already existing U.N. peacekeeping mission. Following the peace talks held in Kampala on the 12 December 2013 the M23 movement has laid down its arms and agreed to demobilization. However, long-term peace remains distant on the horizon. Recent events in December 2013 and in the beginning of 2014 have been marked with serious clashes between the Congolese army backed by the MONUSCO and local armed groups. The somewhat positive atmosphere from the December 2013 peace talks has vanished, and the downward spiral continues as fighting in the Kivus with rebel groups such as FDLR, ADF-NALU, Mai-Mai has now spread to Katanga. The attempted coup, referring to a series of attacks against the regime of President Joseph Kabila on December 30 in Kinshasa and Lumumbashi shows worrisome inclinations and further destabilizes an already-fragmented nation. As far as the general political setting is concerned, the national consultations have brought expectations, although substantial acts are still missing. The President has not yet reshuffled the government, some 5 months after announcing his intention to put in place a more inclusive team. Moreover, the RDC has yet to present a credible election plan as well as a comprehensive DDR strategy. The context remains extremely fragile; the region is going through renewed turbulence. However, the momentum that was generated by the signing of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement can still be sustained as the international and regional engagement remain strong (illustrated by continuous political dialogue through regional summits). Short Description The main objective of this project approved in December 2011, is to support the ongoing Security Sector Reform and contribute to limiting the risk for resurgence of conflict in DRC through the effective strengthening of the rule of law. This programme is composed of five complementary components: 1) Improved living- and social conditions of soldiers' families and dependants; 2) Strengthening of capacities in the Military Justice system, through supporting the Prosecution Support Cells; 3) Local Research and Community Actions to mitigate local conflicts in Eastern Congo; 4) Improved relations between the armed forces and the general population in order to improve the security situation of civilians; and 5) Distribution of ID cards to the National Police (Police National Congolaise, PNC) as a follow up to the EDF financed data collection/census. Activities and State of Play While implementation of the third and fourth components started in March 2012, the remaining three components started in 2013 only, due to the fragile political and security situation in the country particularly in the East. The production and distribution of new ID Cards among the National Police has been realised in all provinces of the DRC. This activity significantly decreased the level of discontent in the police corps by confirming the official status of active policemen. The overall result of the above-mentioned projects is positive, despite their limited impact due to the slow progress of SSR overall. In fact, the DRC government has not shown the political will necessary to realise structural security sector reforms. Thus, international donors' efforts have been significantly limited. More positive results have been achieved, however, with regard to the enhancement of community dialogue (component 3). The second component can also serve as a means to maintain momentum with the DRC government to address the issue of impunity and has had a proven influence on the number of cases addressed. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response These IfS actions are complementary to EU-supported SSR activities under the European Development Fund – police and justice - (EDF) and implemented in close coordination with the two CSDP missions in the DRC, EUSEC and EUPOL. The EU also works in close cooperation with the MONUSCO Stabilization Support Unit. In addition, the EU has provided significant humanitarian aid as well as supporting wide-ranging recovery, reconstruction and development support in Eastern DRC (under EDF).

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Egypt

Title of IfS Decision || (1) Support to Democratic Transition in Egypt.[1] (2) Policy Advice for Democratic Transition.[2] || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || (1) Capacity building of civic actors. (2) Policy advice and capacity building of political and civil society actors.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || (1) 24/03/2011 (2) 01/06/2012.

Amount(s) || (1) Contracted EUR 2,009,319.10 and paid EUR 1,788,059.90. (2) Contracted EUR 500,000.

Start Date of Project || (1) 12/04/2011; (2) 15/01/2014.

End Date || (1) 11/04/2013; (2) 14/01/2015.

Context of Instability Within the last year Egypt has experienced dramatic political changes. The first half of 2013 was tainted by the negative atmosphere created by the rushed constitutional process and adoption of a contested constitution by popular referendum at the end of 2012. The process led by the Freedom and Justice Party/Muslim Brotherhood was controversial and heavily criticised by the opposition. This led to a deeply divisive political crisis culminating by the end of June in massive popular demonstrations throughout the country. Following an ultimatum imposed by the armed forces, Mohamed Morsi was arrested on 3 July 2013, the 2012 constitution was suspended and the legislature dissolved. During the following months, the Muslim Brotherhood was excluded from power and gradually, if thoroughly, marginalised: crackdowns on demonstrations and sit-ins in support for Morsi have resulted in over a thousand deaths; key leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood/Freedom and Justice Party and allied parties have been arrested, together with thousands of their followers, and the Muslim Brotherhood itself was banned in September 2013 and declared a terrorist organisation in December. The State of Emergency was in force from August to November 2013, when legislation limiting rights to demonstrate was passed, resulting in arrests of not only Islamic but also liberal activists. A new draft constitution was submitted to referendum on 14/15 January 2014. It was backed with 98.1% in favour, but with a voter turnout of 38.6%. In comparison, the Constitutional referendum of 2012 secured 63.83% approval, with a turnout of 32.86%. Short Description (1) Support to democratic transition: Implemented by Democracy Reporting International (DRI), the action aimed to: support civil society organisations (CSOs) in responding quickly to analysis needs during the political milestones of the transition from military to civilian rule from 2011-2013 (such as lobbying policy makers on political reforms and reporting on them); to help create and foster linkages between civil society and civic interest groups that formed during the protests that led to the fall of the Mubarak Regime in 2010; and to work with Egyptian actors to support them in providing the Egyptian public with analysis on the political reforms that were undertaken during the period of implementation. (2) Policy advice for democratic transition: Implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the objective of this action is to promote an open and consultative process of law-making and political reform, where State institutions effectively accommodate and are receptive to public dialogue. Specifically, it will aim to provide quality inputs to this dialogue for the benefit of political and non-political stakeholders, including civil society thereby contributing to a culture of informed policy advocacy. This will be done through the production and dissemination of legislative and technical analyses. Activities and State of Play (1) Support to democratic transition: The action built the capacity of local CSOs to participate in the different political milestones that took place following the January 25 revolution, including the presidential and parliamentary elections, the constitutional referendum of 2012, as well as the key legislative events that took place during this period. It operated through a network of 12 established CSOs, while also reaching out to nearly 500 key beneficiaries belonging to the wider CSO community, as well as political parties, parliamentarians, the judiciary, academics and the media. The project successfully implemented the planned activities, namely in support to civil society organisations (Component 1) and in providing analysis and reporting to domestic stakeholders and the public (Component 2): including 37 training workshops, roundtable discussions and other events, as well as regular outreach discussions. In addition, it produced a total of 59 papers, reports and other publications, including 20 translations and 12 DRI Briefing Papers, which were made available to up to 5,000 stakeholders. The project achieved notable impact in terms of enhancing CSO capacities as well as advocacy of policymakers on electoral and constitutional reforms. The 2012 Constitution included improvements which could be traced back to the project such as requiring that electoral districting needs to respect the equality of the vote and reducing the negative aspects of the worker/farmer quota, among others. (2) Policy Advice for Democratic Transition As the project will start only on 15 January 2014, no activities have yet been implemented. However, it is hoped that it will create opportunities for consultative decision-making on political and electoral reforms and in time, contribute to outline a comprehensive and inclusive reform agenda. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response The IfS has provided the EU with the necessary leverage to focus political attention within Egypt on strategic issues such as electoral and constitutional reforms. Furthermore, IfS actions allowed the EU to create partnerships and pilot projects in the post-revolution context that complement ongoing projects under different EU external instruments while also exploring new areas of intervention. This has taken place in a context that has seen deep changes during the year. The Muslim Brotherhood experienced a complete reversal in fortune, and the military has re-emerged as a central power broker in the political scene. This fall from grace of political Islam in Egypt sent ripples through the entire Muslim/Arabic-speaking world. The return to centre stage of the military (and other "pillars of the state") was - and still is - largely supported by a majority of the population, and by many sectors of civil society, including many non-government organizations focusing on Human Rights and Democracy. This makes the need for impartial analysis of legislative processes all the more strategic, both for the EU and for political and civil society stakeholders. The production of fact-based and appropriately targeted analyses will hopefully assist in centring Egypt’s debate on the political transition within a democratic framework, eliciting contributions from institutional, political and civil society actors as well the wider public, thereby also contributing to de-escalating the political crisis.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

Ethiopia

Title of IfS Decision || 1) Support to recovery of essential rural productive capacities as affected by Horn of Africa drought crisis. 2) Support for Ethiopian Government-led efforts for the reception and reintegration of former combatants from the Benshangul-Gumuz People Liberation Movement. || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || 1) Recovery. 2) Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 1) 25/11/2011; 2) 26/06/2013.

Amount(s) || 1) EUR 13,750,000; 2) EUR 1,561,792.

Start Date of Project || 1) 24/04/2012; 2) 01/05/2013.

End Date || 1) 20/06/2014; 2) 31/05/2014.

Context of Instability (1) The Horn of Africa is particularly exposed to climate change hazards and recurrent drought events. In 2010-11, exceptionally severe drought conditions prevailed in the eastern part of the Horn of Africa, resulting in the worst crisis situation. The impact of the drought has been aggravated by the insecurity situation in Somalia and other parts of the region, which has increased the number of refugees and further constrained the livelihoods of millions of people. In response to the 2011 emergency situation in the Horn of Africa, the EU reacted quickly and provided humanitarian assistance to those affected people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. The IfS programme was adopted to further provide an effective and timely recovery support to those vulnerable people. (2) The Benishangul-Gumuz Peoples Liberation Movement (BPLM) was established in Sudan in the late 1980s by Benishangul elites in opposition to the centralisation of power in Addis Ababa and the lack of representation that resulted from it. After the enactment of the constitution of 1995, Benishangul-Gumuz people once more felt excluded, leading BPLM to take on armed rebellion against the Ethiopian Government. Since then, negotiations have been taking place to ensure peace in the region. A Joint Peace Agreement was eventually signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the BPLM rebels on 19 August 2012. Through this Agreement, the Government committed to responding to the immediate requirement for the return, reception, reinsertion, reintegration and post-reintegration assistance for the former combatants of BPLM. Short Description (1)The IfS recovery programme is made of six different projects awarded to the selected NGOs providing an effective and timely support to rural households affected by the 2010/2011 drought in the Southern and Eastern parts of Ethiopia. The projects contribute to enhancing the social and economic stability in the drought affected areas by supporting the recovery of livelihoods of the affected poor farmers and pastoral and agro-pastoral communities (around 600,000 people). The IfS actions are being implemented in 45 Woredas/Districts of Ethiopia. (2) In partnership with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and in close coordination with the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State Government, the IfS project was designed to improve the readiness and responsiveness of Ethiopia to fulfil its mandate for the implementation of the Joint Peace Agreement. The project contributes to ensuring the timely, safe, orderly and voluntary return from Sudan and re-integration in Ethiopia of approximately 1,800 BPLM former combatants and their dependants, including sympathisers of BPLM who are detained in various prisons in Ethiopia. The implementing partner is the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Activities and State of Play (1) The major results achieved so far under the IfS recovery programme are as follows: Improved access to agricultural inputs and services for poor farming households: The programme enhanced the productive capacity of poor farming households mainly through facilitating access to credit with arrangements made for channelling of loan capital by the local micro financing institutions, farmer's cooperatives and Unions. As a result, the productivity of beneficiary farmers increased by almost 100% (e.g. for wheat from 16 to 30qt/ha and maize from 25 to 48 qt/ha). The IfS funded projects are also providing support for around 495 farmers in improved seeds multiplication activities. A total of 4,047 quintals of improved basic and pre-basic seeds were distributed to these farmers for seed multiplication, and 80% of the 84,287 quintals produced were redistributed to the surrounding farmers through the regional state seed enterprises. The promotion of improved seed multiplication at farmer's field level reduced the existing significant gaps in improved seeds supply services. The projects have also provided support for the development of 16 small scale irrigation schemes covering an area of 2,374 hectares. A total of 2,564 farms are benefiting from the production of high value crops. Increased income of poor rural households, enabling them to sustainably secure food for their families: The main target groups under this component are poor women households and landless youths. Around 17,000 households were organised in 884 different economic groups and received the required capital or material inputs and training, including business plan development and entrepreneurship. In addition, a total of 30,236 small ruminants and 6,600 improved poultry were distributed to 13,873 poor households. Overall 32,125 households have benefited from the programme. Moreover, the programme is also targeting pastoralists and agro-pastoralists to enable them to increase their productive, income generating capacity and reduce the vulnerability to various external shocks. The programme has also provided support for increased availability of viable water supply sources through construction or rehabilitation of 49 water points and also for increasing access to higher quality rangeland for grazing, through the rehabilitation of 7,834 hectares. 184 community animal health workers have received training on animal disease detection, prevention and simple treatments to provide outreach animal health services. Capacity building of local authorities and civil groups to deliver sustainable services to farmers and the wider community: The IfS programme is providing integrated capacity building support to improve the performance and effectiveness of the service delivery of local government and community based institutions. The programme is also providing training in areas such as early warning and disaster risk reduction to promote peace building and sustainable development. A total of about 40,000 people have received training on various fields, including 857 local government officials/experts. (2) The IfS reintegration action comprises two phases. The first phase includes assistance to the FDRE during the rehabilitation training for initial reinsertion and to address immediate needs. The second phase comprises support to the return and reintegration of the former combatants based on need-assessment findings. As part of the first phase, a 45-day training session for reinsertion was provided to former combatants at the transitional centre in Bambasi. Systematic health assessment was carried out upon arrival at the transit centre. Special attention was given to women and children. As part of the second reintegration phase of the project, the registration and profiling of over 360 former combatants was carried out through IOM’s Information Counselling and Referral Services (ICRS) tool to identify individual needs and qualifications. Findings from the assessment indicated that mining and agricultural sectors are the most viable for reintegration of former combatants. On this basis, a reintegration strategy was elaborated by IOM that also includes reintegration livelihood packages. Among others, cash grants, assistance with starting income-generating activities and job placement in the civil service are proposed to the former BPLM combatants. The project implementation depends on the cooperation between the Regional State Government and the target group of the project. Role of the IfS Action within the Broader EU and International Response (1) In line with the EU communication on resilience building and the DEVCO and ECHO – SHARE strategic frameworks, a resilience building strategy which aims to tackle structural vulnerability to recurrent crisis has been developed for Ethiopia. The EU Delegation and the ECHO Office in Ethiopia are working very closely to obtain maximum integration and complementarities in their respective resilience initiatives. The IfS programme is also providing support for the advancement of the existing coordination mechanisms and the organisation of an Experience Sharing and Dialogue forum for all stakeholders in the area of food security/resilience building. (2) Peaceful resolution of conflict in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa is crucial to the EU strategy in the region and the effectiveness of its development cooperation. If successful, the IfS project could be used as a model for reinsertion and reintegration for future settlement with other Ethiopian insurgent groups.

Implementation of Instrument for Stability (IfS) Programmes in

El Salvador

Title of IfS Decision || Project to support violence reduction in El Salvador. [3] || Copyright: UN ReliefWeb

Type of measure || Conflict prevention, peace building and mediation.

Date of Adoption of IfS Decision || 01/06/2012

Amount || Contracted EUR 300,000; Paid EUR 180,246.

Start Date of Project || 30/04/2013.

End Date || 29/10/2014.

Context of Instability The presence of gangs in El Salvador has grown exponentially over the last two decades, capturing a large part of urban youth with limited economic and social opportunities. On 10th March 2012, the two main gangs (called Maras) in El Salvador (Mara 13 or Salvatrucha and Barrio 18) reached a truce, suspending the assassinations which were to a large extent linked to inter–gang rivalry. Since then, the number of assassinations in El Salvador has decreased from an average of 14 per day to a current average of 5 per day. These pre–truce statistics had made El Salvador one of the countries with the highest homicide rates in the world. As a result, 2012 registered approximately 40% less homicides than the previous year. Smaller decreases have been registered in other crimes like racketeering and robberies (around 18% according to the National Police). Attacks against women and children as well as against police and military personnel have significantly diminished, according to governmental sources. The dialogue process with the gangs is facilitated by two mediators, a member of the Catholic Church and a representative of civil society. These two facilitators collect requests from the imprisoned gang leaders and relay them to the Government, which considers whether they can be granted within the scope of the existing legislation. Although unorthodox, this process has led to certain improvements in prison conditions that generally fall short of acceptable standards in terms of overcrowding (above 300%), health conditions and infrastructure. Conflicts in prisons have also been reduced. All this illustrates the extent to which the imprisoned gang leaders maintain control over their members outside. Short Description Despite the encouraging numbers and the initial progress in the mediation process, it was clear from the beginning that the facilitators were operating in precarious conditions, without any logistical or technical support. Furthermore, to resolve the nature of the gang phenomena, a more structural approach will have to be implemented. In order to contribute to these elements, IfS support is being given to strengthen the dialogue process at national and local level, involving all sectors of society. The second aim of the project is to structurally involve the private sector through the so called Humanitarian Foundation. Interpeace is the implementing partner who provides both logistical and technical support to the facilitators and to the Humanitarian Foundation. Spaces for violence prevention, dialogue and social peace must be expanded and strengthened in El Salvador. The dialogue in favour of a culture of peace must be extended to all sectors and territories; the various efforts made in the areas of violence prevention, social integration of youth at risk and rehabilitation of prisoners must achieve greater synergies and coordination; immediate efforts to keep running dialogue with gangs must be sustained; and clear leadership in all these processes must be assumed. To achieve these objectives the project supports the Humanitarian Foundation, set up by the truce facilitators to give sustainability to the dialogue process with the gangs. Activities and State of Play Throughout 2013 the project focussed on three aspects: (1) setting up the Humanitarian Foundation as a legal entity and supporting the wide range of meetings and activities; (2) providing expertise, knowledge and logistical support to the truce mediation dynamics at national level; (3) strengthening local capacities in the 11 self-declared violence free municipalities. The latter became more prominent with the national agenda being slowed down due to the campaigning for the 2014 presidential elections. These circumstances made it difficult to advance at national level and priority was given to reach the local level. A seminar to debate best practices in the fight against gang violence and the strengthening of the truce process was organised by the project and the Organization of American States (OAS) to bring together majors from the municipalities at the forefront of the truce process, some gang members, business leaders, civil society, government officials from Honduras and Guatemala, and mediation specialists from the USA involved in peace processes in neighbourhoods affected by gang violence. As a result of the best practices workshop, the Salvadorian majors issued a co