Tomorrow, I fly back to Guinea-Bissau. I will be training the UN, government and civil society on better planning and implementation of UN Peacebuilding Fund projects. I will be reflecting thoughts on challenges and opportunities for peacebuilding planning.
Since the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Mission (UNIOGBIS), peacebuilding has been at a cross-road. Ensuring stronger national ownership and inclusivity on PBF projects is crucial for its success. Otherwise, peacebuilding will remain externally-led.
In most eligible countries, PBF resources are pretty small compared to broader official development assistance. In Guinea-Bissau, the PBF accounts for over 10% of all aid received by the country. Reflecting on what catalytic funding means is essential!
The international community has much to do. First, it needs to ensure better coordination and ensure that countries that need resources the most are not becoming "aid orphans". Providing more reliable and sustainable funding can make a significant difference.
In doing so, it comes my second point. The UN Peacebuilding Commission should become more active in galvanising resources and become a stronger actor in Guinea-Bissau itself. As the chair of GB configuration, Brazil needs to step up its game!
Institutionally, the gap left by the departure of UNIOGBIS. A new Resident Coordinator is to be identified soon. They will have a significant role in ensuring strategic coherence coordination and ensuring that national actors are in the driving seat.
But this brings me back to my first point on ownership. There is limited sustainability if national actors are not equipped (and at times even allowed) to be in the driving seat. External actors need to think more about "transferring" rather than "doing". More to come!
Gustavo de Carvalho