Case Study: The Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a recent escalation in conflict, past issues in human rights enforcement and accountability, and the ongoing withdrawal of United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) present challenges for advancing human rights and peacebuilding. This case study considers how programming that combined human rights and peacebuilding tools and strategies sought to overcome those challenges, exploring four projects that supported transitional justice, reconciliation, reintegration of ex-combatants, women’s empowerment, countering gender-based violence, and youth empowerment within the DRC. 

This case study is an excerpt from a larger 2024 Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Thematic Review examining synergies between human rights and peacebuilding. It examined a select sample of PBF programming – 92 projects implemented in 45 countries and territories – that were supported between 2017 and 2022, with a view to collecting best practices and lessons learned, and contributing to better understanding of how human rights and peacebuilding tools and strategies may complement each other in advancing peace and preventing conflict. This case study appears on pages 36 to 46 of the full report. 

Access the DRC Case Study here, and a case study infographic here.