Armed conflict is at its highest level in decades, while development assistance – critical for conflict prevention – is declining. This PRIO Paper investigates the relationship between development assistance and conflict prevention, based on a systematic literature review and case studies of two countries: South Sudan and Mozambique. On the basis of this analysis, the PRIO Paper provides evidence-based guidance for policymakers on how development assistance can reduce violence rather than exacerbate it. Findings show that development assistance is most effective when it strengthens livelihoods and accountable governance, empowers locally legitimate actors, and avoids elite capture. Community-driven approaches and nationally owned processes outperform externally imposed models. With resources shrinking and conflicts rising, integrated strategies that link security, development and local capacity are essential. This report offers actionable lessons to make development conflict-sensitive and locally grounded.
Read the policy brief based on this PRIO Paper, How can development assistance help prevent conflict?
