01 / THE BLUEPRINT
The problem to investigate
After violence or political tension, communities may lack safe spaces to discuss everyday disputes about water, transport, markets or damaged facilities. Poorly organised forums can increase fear instead of rebuilding trust.
02 / THE BLUEPRINT
A possible solution
Give trained independent facilitators a repeatable process for voluntary, issue-focused sessions: agree safety rules, map a non-sensitive common problem, hear participants fairly and record only consensual next actions.
03 / THE BLUEPRINT
Start without an app
Begin with closed, small-group discussions facilitated by recognised local mediators and no digital recording; in higher-risk contexts even this may be inappropriate without expert assessment.
04 / THE BLUEPRINT
Technology that could help
A private facilitator workbook can track anonymous issue categories and agreed action owners. Avoid real-time incident maps, names, faction labels, attendee lists or automated risk scoring.
05 / THE BLUEPRINT
Your first experiment
- Partner with an established locally trusted peacebuilding organisation.
- Conduct a conflict-sensitivity assessment and decide whether any meeting is safe.
- Train facilitators in consent, safeguarding and impartiality.
- Pilot a low-stakes shared-service discussion and review potential harms before repeating.
06 / THE BLUEPRINT
People, resources and cost drivers
Requires experienced mediation partners, safe venues, interpreters, safeguarding and referral capacity for acute concerns. UNDP peacebuilding resources: https://www.undp.org/crisis/peacebuilding ; conflict sensitivity: https://unsdg.un.org/resources/good-practice-note-conflict-sensitivity-peacebuilding-and-sustaining-peace
07 / THE BLUEPRINT
What to validate — and when to stop
Have an independent local peace expert assess possible retaliation and unequal power. Stop if participation is coerced, protected information is requested or facilitators cannot ensure basic safety.
08 / HYPOTHESIS TO TEST
Potential impact and how to measure it
Measure voluntarily completed small actions and participant assessments of safety and fairness. Do not claim reduced violence based only on attendance or meeting counts.
09 / THE BLUEPRINT
Risks and safeguards
Major risks are reprisals, surveillance, emotional harm and manipulation. Never publish identifying political views or participant identities, and do not use AI to predict individual allegiance.
10 / THE BLUEPRINT
Who might pay or maintain it
A trusted peacebuilding partner—not a marketing vendor—should own governance. Sustainable financing must be disclosed and separate from partisan agendas.