Equipped and supported through the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) Fellowship Program, the 2025/2026 Fellows launched community-led peace initiatives across Africa from January to March 2026, translating their training into practical action and measurable impact. With special focuse on youth empowerment, interfaith dialogue, conflict prevention, and social cohesion, these locally driven interventions addressed pressing community challenges while fostering peaceful coexistence, inclusive participation, and grassroots resilience. Guided by COFP’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, each project was intentionally designed to deliver sustainable outcomes, ensuring that every intervention contributed meaningfully to long-term peacebuilding efforts. Field monitoring and evaluation revealed that the initiatives achieved far more than the successful implementation of planned activities. They created safe spaces for dialogue, strengthened trust and collaboration among diverse groups, empowered local actors to take ownership of peace processes, and inspired sincere behavioural and attitudinal change within their communities. Collectively, these outcomes demonstrate the transformative value of the COFP Fellowship Program and reaffirm the Foundation’s enduring commitment to nurturing a new generation of competent, values-driven peacebuilders who are making tangible contributions to peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development in Africa. The stories below capture the impacts of the 2025/2026 COFP Fellows projects.

1. In response to recurring regional tensions, Ousmane Mamadou Ali Timbo of the Niger Republic convened a one-day Interfaith Peacebuilding Workshop on 7th February, 2026 in Tahoua by bringing together 30 Muslim and Christian religious leaders to strengthen dialogue, deepen collaboration, and foster peaceful coexistence. Through facilitated conversations and interactive dialogue sessions, participants explored the shared values that unite their communities including peace, human dignity, and mutual respect, while identifying practical pathways for sustained interfaith engagement. The workshop cultivated stronger relationships and greater trust among religious and traditional leaders, transforming interactions once confined to formal gatherings into more open, constructive, and enduring partnerships for peace.
2. Recognizing that lasting peace is possible when communities have sustained means of livelihood, Justina Ifeoma Ibegbulam convened 160 Christian and Muslim participants for a two-day Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Program on 6th February 2026 in Dafa/Kundu, Kwali Area Council, FCT Abuja. Believing that economic opportunity may deter conflict, the initiative equipped local farmers with goats, improved farm seeds, and organic fertilizer to strengthen agricultural productivity and household resilience. By investing in sustainable livelihoods, the project not only enhanced participants’ capacity to achieve more productive harvests but also reinforced a shared vision of peace, cooperation, and prosperity across faith communities.
3. With the growing threat of drug abuse among young people, Bashiru Mohammed convened a youth-focused peace initiative on 18th February 2026 in Denkyembour District, Akwatia, Ghana, equipping students with the necessary knowledge, values, and opportunities needed to make healthier life choices. Bringing together 200 participants, the workshop combined practical education on the dangers of substance abuse with interfaith dialogue and youth empowerment sessions, fostering informed decision-making, mutual understanding, and positive social engagement. The initiative also strengthened students’ confidence and leadership capacity, with participants demonstrating remarkable enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions during interactive breakout sessions, showing their readiness to become advocates for healthier, drug-free communities.
4. To strengthen grassroots peace and resilience across conflict-affected communities in Borno State, Bibi Baba Henah and Jibrin Saleh Sarki on Feb 7^th 2026 implemented the “Building Interfaith Bridges for Sustainable Peace initiative” across Gubio, Jere, Magumeri, Kaga, Mafa, and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC). Anchored in dialogue, collaboration, and local ownership, the initiative equipped community leaders with knowledge on facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills through the train-the-trainer approach, laying the foundation for improved peacebuilding leadership. A vibrant network of peace facilitators emerged, alongside inclusive interfaith Community Support Groups that brought together youths, women, and religious leaders to strengthen Muslim-Christian collaboration, deepen mutual trust, and promote lasting social cohesion in the environ.
5. Understanding the vital link between accessible healthcare and peaceful communities, Nzenwa Ogechi Onyenonachi implemented a “Community Peace and Medical Outreach” workshop on 22^nd January, 2026 in Dutse Alhaji, Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja, reaching 81 beneficiaries with free medical services, essential medications, and peace awareness engagements. Combining health education, peacebuilding awareness and medical care, the initiative addressed immediate healthcare needs while fostering trust, inclusion, and stronger collaboration between residents and service providers. For many beneficiaries, the outreach provided timely access to essential treatment that had previously been out of reach due to financial limitations.