Training on Conflict Sensitivity and “Do No Harm” in Programming

Conflict sensitivity and the “Do No Harm” approach enable development and humanitarian actors to design and implement programs that minimize unintended negative impacts in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Even well-intentioned interventions can inadvertently reinforce inequalities, fuel grievances, distort local markets, or intensify tensions if conflict dynamics are not properly understood.

Conflict-sensitive programming requires systematic analysis of context, stakeholders, dividers and connectors, power relations, and institutional capacity. The Do No Harm framework, originally developed by Mary B. Anderson, provides practical tools for examining how aid interacts with conflict dynamics and how programs can strengthen local capacities for peace.

This 10-day professional training equips participants with applied tools to integrate conflict sensitivity across the full project cycle—from assessment and design to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Participants gain competencies in conflict analysis, stakeholder mapping, political economy analysis, risk identification, adaptive management, and monitoring unintended impacts.

The curriculum aligns with international peacebuilding and stabilization standards promoted within the United Nations system, including guidance from the United Nations Development Programme on conflict prevention and governance in fragile settings. Through case studies, simulations, and applied exercises, participants learn how to design interventions that are responsive to local dynamics, reduce harm, and contribute to social cohesion.

By the end of the course, professionals will be able to embed conflict sensitivity into institutional policies, donor-funded programs, and field operations to ensure responsible, accountable, and peace-supportive programming.

Duration

10 Days

Who Should Attend

• Development and humanitarian program managers

• NGO and civil society staff

• Government project officers

• Donor representatives

• Field coordinators and M&E staff

• Peacebuilding practitioners

Individual Impact

• Strengthen conflict analysis skills

• Improve program design and adaptation

• Enhance risk management capacity

• Build context-sensitive decision-making

• Develop ethical programming approaches

Organizational Impact

• Reduced program-related conflict risks

• Improved community trust

• Stronger program effectiveness

• Enhanced accountability and compliance

• More sustainable development outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Conduct conflict and context analysis
• Apply Do No Harm principles in programming
• Identify and mitigate conflict risks
• Adapt programs to local dynamics
• Monitor unintended impacts

Module 1: Introduction to Conflict Sensitivity and Do No Harm

• Key concepts and principles
• Why programs can cause harm
• Link between development and conflict
• Global best practices
• Practical Exercise: Identifying conflict risks in projects

Module 2: Understanding Conflict Dynamics

• Types and causes of conflict
• Stakeholder analysis
• Power and resource dynamics
• Social divisions and connectors
• Case Study: Analyzing a conflict-affected context

Module 3: Conflict Analysis Tools and Frameworks

• Conflict mapping
• Problem tree analysis
• Actor and interest analysis
• Scenario planning
• Practical Exercise: Conducting a conflict analysis

Module 4: Applying Do No Harm in Program Design

• Resource transfers and impacts
• Implicit ethical messages
• Equity and inclusion strategies
• Program adaptation approaches
• Case Study: Redesigning a conflict-sensitive project

Module 5: Integrating Conflict Sensitivity in the Project Cycle

• Needs assessment
• Planning and budgeting
• Implementation strategies
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Practical Exercise: Conflict-sensitive project planning

Module 6: Managing Risks and Unintended Consequences

• Early warning indicators
• Risk mitigation measures
• Crisis response planning
• Decision-making under uncertainty
• Case Study: Managing emerging tensions in programs

Module 7: Community Engagement and Participation

• Inclusive participation methods
• Building trust and dialogue
• Local ownership
• Managing grievances
• Practical Exercise: Designing stakeholder engagement plans

Module 8: Conflict-Sensitive Monitoring and Learning

• Indicators for conflict impacts
• Feedback mechanisms
• Adaptive management
• Learning systems
• Case Study: Using M&E to improve conflict sensitivity

Module 9: Organizational Systems for Conflict Sensitivity

• Policies and guidelines
• Staff training and capacity building
• Leadership roles
• Accountability mechanisms
• Practical Exercise: Developing organizational action plans

Module 10: Mainstreaming Conflict Sensitivity and Sustainability

• Scaling best practices

• Institutionalization strategies

• Partnership approaches

• Long-term peace impact

• Practical Exercise: Creating a conflict sensitivity roadmap