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Impact reports

The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA)

A selection of peacebuilding and advocacy resources from the JISRA programme

2023 Available in English

Representatives from different faiths in Nigeria join a peaceful demonstration in Plateau State on International Day of Peace 2023

The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) is a five-year peacebuilding programme that works across faith community lines to address religious violence and discrimination, reconcile divided communities, and promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies. 

JISRA is carried out by 50 faith-based partner organisations in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. Tearfund works in Iraq, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Mali.

Building bridges

The programme uses localised, participatory approaches to address the harmful norms and narratives between faith communities that can lead to conflict and violence. It actively seeks to shift power to local actors so that decisions can be made by the communities directly affected by conflict.

Getting its name from the word for ‘bridge’ in Arabic, JISRA recognises that faith leaders are central to reconciliation, and works to build bridges of trust and acceptance between them. Seeking in particular to address gender inequality, it pays special attention to the role of women and youth in conflict resolution, conflict prevention and advancing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).

‘After I received the training on conflict analysis and peaceful advocacy, my perception and attitudes changed dramatically. Now I understand that I must be a voice for all people regardless of colour, ethnicity, religion and gender through a non-violent way.’
Abraham, Ethiopia

Partnership and collaboration

The JISRA programme links closely to Tearfund's Peacebuilding and Advocacy work in seeking to build peace-filled, reconciled and safe societies where people experience freedom of religion and belief. Learn more about these specific approaches on the peacebuilding and advocacy ‘What we do' pages.

JISRA is coordinated by a charity consortium of Mensen met een Missie, Faith to Action Network, Search for Common Ground and Tearfund, and supported by technical partner, Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Find out more about the programme on the JISRA website.

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