EU, UN launch project sustaining Mindanao peace efforts

MANILA, Philippines - A new project to help sustain peace efforts in Mindanao has been launched by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen and UNDP Philippines country director Titon Mitra on Wednesday launched the “Support Peace-Bangsamoro Project” that would be implemented from 2016 to mid-2017.

With a funding of 1.2 million euros or P63 million from the EU, UNDP will implement the Support Peace-Bangsamoro project that aims to support capacity-building for local leaders and other stakeholders on public administration and parliamentary processes.

The project is expected to strengthen the constituency for peace building in the Bangsamoro, including establishing partnerships with local government units and civil society organizations.

It also aims to develop platforms that will enable the youth and the women to actively engage in peace building, and support the Third Party Monitoring of the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The initiative will ensure participation of all stakeholders, especially women and children in local processes, decision-making and conflict mitigation for sustainable peace.

“We would like to keep the dialogue open to strengthen peace-building efforts even in the grassroots level,” Jessen said.

“The EU recognizes UNDP’s experience and expertise on implementing peace-building projects and we are pleased that our partnership will continue,” he added.

Mitra said the security situation in Mindanao’s conflict-stricken areas is volatile with the non-passage of a proposal that would have created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.