DAI’s Fragile States work builds on our global reputation for innovative post-crisis assistance to support political transition, ensure short-term stability operations, prevent and counter violent extremism (P/CVE), and lay the foundation for long-term development in fragile, crisis-stricken states.
Grounded in research and learning, we engage with local partners and our international counterparts in the development, research, diplomatic, and military communities to deliver locally driven solutions to the economic, social, and political drivers of fragility, ideally before they manifest in conflict and instability. Our programs build resilient communities, empower moderate voices, rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-combatants, and support stable and responsive institutions.
Peace-Building and Political Transition—At critical moments in a country’s transition process, we facilitate the sustainable rebuilding of communities by their own members while supporting progress toward legitimate indigenous governments that are better able to respond to the needs of their populations. We identify key individuals and groups committed to peaceful, participatory reform; strengthen locally driven violence-mitigation efforts; and provide economic recovery opportunities to stricken communities.
Countering Extremism—We design, test, and adapt P/CVE tools to reach vulnerable communities and counter the local and international push and pull factors driving extremism. Our work, ranging from alternative digital messaging to empowering community-led CVE interventions, seeks to avert and address extremist rhetoric and activities across the ideological spectrum.
Stabilization—We work with government, civil, and private sector partners to strengthen and restore the social fabric, support independent media, promote representative and democratic governance, and encourage a return to normalcy in conflict and post-conflict environments. Building on our diverse experience and nuanced understanding of conflict dynamics in crisis environments, we assess and adapt to address the root causes of instability and lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development.
Security and Justice—We support access to, accountability in, and the stability of formal and informal justice institutions, building the capacity of legitimate security and justice systems to deliver services and ensure citizen security. We emphasize grassroots, community-level collaboration as the starting point for reform, particularly in complex transitional justice and post-conflict environments.