{"id":20182,"date":"2026-07-08T10:32:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T10:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scillaelworthy.com\/?p=20182"},"modified":"2026-07-08T11:50:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:50:08","slug":"shining-a-light-on-peace-direct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scillaelworthy.com\/?p=20182","title":{"rendered":"Shining a light on Peace Direct"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When we hear news of conflict around the world, it’s easy to feel helpless. Yet, in communities affected by violence every day, there are courageous people quietly bringing neighbours together, rebuilding trust and creating hope. As an antidote to the endless stories of crisis and despair, I would like to shine a light on Peace Direct<\/a>, a brilliant organisation that exists to support these remarkable local peacebuilders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I founded Peace Direct along with Carolyn Hayman in 2003. Like all start-ups in those days, we worked on kitchen tables with manual type-writers! The organisation was built on a simple but powerful idea: those living through conflict are the people best placed to build lasting peace. Instead of imposing outside solutions, the organisation listens to local communities, providing funding, training and international support so that local leaders can create change from within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, under the leadership of CEO Dylan Mathews<\/a>, Peace Direct is a power-house champion for locally led peacebuilding. Having joined the organisation in 2015, Dylan has breathed not only energy but genius into what we do! He authored War Prevention Works<\/a>, a groundbreaking study highlighting the vital role of local communities in preventing conflict. He’s also the editor of Working with Conflict 2<\/a>, a widely respected practical guide for peacebuilders, and serves as Chair of CIVICUS<\/a>, the global alliance of civil society organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan has dedicated his career to ensuring that local voices are heard. I first met him as he walked out of Sussex University having just finished his exams, alongside my daughter Polly – both equally thrilled and relieved! His work since then demonstrated without question that investing in community-led peacebuilding is not only more effective, but also creates solutions that endure long after outside organisations have left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scale of Peace Direct’s impact<\/a> is remarkable. In 2025 alone, the organisation supported 76 local peacebuilding organisations across 33 countries, including 28 long-term partners and 38 micrograntees. Together they invested more than \u00a32.6 million directly in local peacebuilding initiatives, while providing emergency funding to communities facing crises and helping partners distribute more than 110 additional grassroots grants in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar. (Peace Direct Impact Report 2025<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their work ranges from empowering women to take part in peace processes and preventing community violence to delivering humanitarian aid, supporting mental health, strengthening livelihoods and helping communities recover from conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes Peace Direct unique is that it doesn’t simply fund projects\u2014it builds lasting partnerships. It works to ensure that local peacebuilders have a stronger voice in international decision-making and that they receive the trust and flexibility needed to respond quickly to changing circumstances. This commitment to shifting power towards local communities is at the heart of its long-term strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a world that can often feel divided, Peace Direct offers something precious: proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they are trusted and empowered. Every act of support\u2014whether by learning more about their work, sharing their stories or making a donation\u2014 will help courageous local peacebuilders create safer, stronger and more resilient communities. Peace begins with people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you may have gathered, I am incredibly proud of the scale and impact of Peace Direct, and in huge admiration of how Dylan continues to lead with two vital skills: ambitious vision and completely from the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday 16th July 2026 I shall be recording the Radio 4 appeal on behalf of Peace Direct, because I admire their work so much. Look out for posts about it on my LinkedIn<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>, and please do ask your friends to tune in and learn about this brilliant and valuable organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile you can find out more on Peace Direct\u2019s website<\/a> including how to support them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image shows peacebuilders from LEGASI in Nigeria, an organisation supported by Peace Direct to transform community futures. Image credit – Peace Direct.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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