This paper introduces an analytical peacebuilding tool used by the Asian Development Bank in Nepal during 2010-2011, and outlines lessons learned. The tool consists of a series of questions designed to enhance project planning and implementation in fragile situations by identifying potential social conflict and opportunities for building peace and social cohesion. Lessons include the need for ongoing analysis and flexibility to respond to a changing context. In addition, PBT training events can enhance communication and coordination among development partners, including government officials.
The peacebuilding tool (PBT), formerly called the peace filter, was developed jointly by ADB, DFID and the World Bank. It helps to structure a project’s conflict-sensitive analysis. It comprises a series of questions related to the post-conflict environment, formal decision-making and implementation structures, informal peacebuilding structures, and social, socioeconomic, geographic and security issues. The questions are designed to help identify risks to the project arising from social conflict, possible peacebuilding opportunities, and recommended adjustments to the project. Where an existing conflict poses significant risks to achieving project objectives, use of the PBT needs to be complemented by a more extensive conflict-sensitive approach.
The ADB and its development partners used the PBT to analyse 13 projects and 15 districts in Nepal. They found that challenges in using the PBT included:
- Selecting appropriate indicators of peace and integrating them into the project results framework to ensure appropriate monitoring
- Integrating analytical tools into government systems
- Achieving appropriate follow-up and monitoring of the recommended actions, particularly given resource constraints.
The PBT is most effective when used on an ongoing basis, so that initial answers to the questions can be revised as the context changes. For example, it can be used first during the fact-finding stage, and later during project preparation. It can also be used for monitoring purposes to help determine whether the mitigation measures identified are being implemented correctly. Many of the issues that the PBT addresses are particularly applicable to community-based projects.
Peacebuilding work in general requires long-term commitment by a wide variety of stakeholders and flexibility in decision-making regarding project implementation and the interventions pursued. In addition:
- Use of the PBT requires extensive consultation with beneficiaries and relevant agencies, and effective coordination among development partners
- As use of the PBT expands, periodic consultation, joint meetings, sharing of analysis, joint training programmes and joint missions can maintain partner coordination
- In particular, PBT training events can enhance communication and coordination among development partners, including government officials
- The PBT needs to be used during both project design and implementation
- It is important to work jointly with the government during the design and monitoring stages
- It is important to document changes in the project context that have occurred over the course of project implementation.
