Search for Common Ground

The EU’s Global Gateway aims to boost sustainable, trusted investments worldwide: from energy and transport to digital, health, and education. But one essential dimension risks being overlooked: peace. In fragile and conflict-affected contexts, major investments can either:  ➕ Strengthen resilience and cooperation  ➖ Or deepen inequalities and fuel tensions Right now, conflict sensitivity is not consistently embedded into EU green energy or infrastructure projects: a risky gap as demand for critical raw materials grows and projects expand into fragile regions. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆.⬇️ By leveraging its mandatory due diligence regulations, the EU could require companies seeking market access – and all Global Gateway projects – to uphold conflict-sensitivity standards, including participatory conflict analysis, credible monitoring, and meaningful community engagement. ➡️ Read the op-ed Inge Brees : https://lnkd.in/eGwrGeJq  ➡️ Read the full policy paper ECDPM 🌍 Sara Gianesello Sophie Desmidt https://lnkd.in/eZRC599X

In Syria, some roads are still dark, but hope isn't. Your gift helps women find safety, children return to school, and families rebuild peace. Let's light the way forward #holdinghope together. Hold Hope With Us ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gGuGC4Fy

They’re not just holding on to hope; they’re shaping the future. When we invest in young voices, the impossible becomes inevitable. #HoldHope with us by investing in young voices ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gGuGC4Fy

📣 Job Alert: We are looking for a Europe Partnership & Fundraising Associate to help strengthen our relationships with EU and European government donors and support impactful peacebuilding programmes around the world. Who we’re looking for: ✅ Strong writer with excellent English + full proficiency in French or German ✅Background in peacebuilding, international development, or similar ✅Highly organised, proactive, and comfortable in fast-paced environments ✅Based in Brussels with the right to work in Belgium 📅 Deadline for applications is 30th November https://lnkd.in/dVCwpmMj

Women have always contributed to the well-being of their communities. They play a decisive and undeniable role in maintaining social cohesion, peace and hope. In a world where conflicts dominate the headlines, let us not forget these often invisible figures who struggle and commit themselves to peace. As part of Search for Common Ground’s work in Palestine, and with the support of the Dutch Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, our partner Holy Land Trust organised the opening of a powerful photo exhibition. The project highlights the stories of Palestinian women united by their resilience. The photos and texts allow us to discover Palestinian women from very different backgrounds, who are making a change for peace in their community. 

In Israel and Palestine, ordinary people are turning that chance into action—building understanding, healing, and hope across divides. Because peace doesn’t just happen. #Holdhope with Israel & Palestine: sfcg.org/holding-hope/

A single poppy can spark a field. A single act of hope can change a community. Join us in #holdinghope: sfcg.org/holding-hope/

It starts small. A seed. A choice. A hand that refuses to let go. Hope doesn’t wait for peace to arrive— it builds it. It takes root in the hardest soil and dares to bloom anyway. Because together, we don’t just dream of peace. We plant it. Join us in #holdinghope ⬇️: https://lnkd.in/gnyWdDZt

Twenty-five years since the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, and a decade after the Youth, Peace, and Security resolution, the push for inclusive peace continues. Syria, emerging from nearly 15 years of war, presents a critical opportunity to integrate women's and young people's perspectives into its future. Search for Common Ground collaborated with over 20 Syrian civil society organizations, consolidating practical recommendations for the new government. These grassroots insights advocate for broadened community representation and a legal system that truly guarantees women’s rights. Read more ⬇️

🎉 And that’s a wrap! Looking back at the second #EUYPS Conference & Week, bringing together 120 young peacebuilders from more than 85 nationalities. For a whole week, Brussels brought together young peacebuilders, policy-makers, EU representatives, Member States and global partners to envision a more inclusive and peaceful future, one where young people’s voices are truly heard, valued and considered. A few key takeaways:   ➡️ The conversations highlight the essential role of intergenerational dialogue, co-creation and meaningful participation of young people in discussions that shape peace and security. ➡️ Discussions with local and regional organisations and national actors have shown how regional dynamics can inspire the EU. Everywhere, young people are playing a concrete role in mediation, conflict prevention and the development of national plans, despite the challenges. ➡️ Technological transformations, the impact of AI and the links between climate change, peace and security are also significant. Technology can become a powerful lever for peacebuilding. ➡️ This initiative by the EU Youth, Peace and Security Coalition, co-chaired by Search for Common Ground, culminated in the drafting of a Joint Declaration, marking an important step towards stronger cooperation. ➡️ With a strong sense of cohesion and determination. Above all, the conference served as a reminder of the importance of remaining hopeful, persevering and continuing to work together for a sustainable, fairer, more inclusive and more peaceful future. European External Action Service AU-EU Youth Voices Lab - Power of the Collective CMI — Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation Anna Lindh Foundation ZIF - Zentrum für Internationale Friedenseinsätze gGmbH