In some of the world’s most volatile environments, we catalyze the power of religious leaders and communities of faith to bring about positive change.
Religion has the power to be both a force for peace and a weapon of war. Most religious actors want to be part of a solution to conflict rather than part of the problem.
We put religious actors at the center of our programming, ensuring that they have the tools to generate dialogue and become a force for peace. With them, we prevent and counter violent extremism, ensure the protection of holy sites, create unique opportunities for collaboration between parties in conflict, and lift entire societies out of cycles of violence.
Overview: The Common Ground Approach to Religious Engagement
The field of religious engagement is developing rapidly, as NGOs, policy makers and security experts around the world recognize the importance of engaging religious actors in peacebuilding processes.
Search’s approach is formalised in our Common Ground Approach to Religious Engagement training which, due to the high interest in the course, we have made publicly available.Common Ground Approach to Religious Engagement training materials
Religious Engagement Resources
The Nigerian Youth Collective Action for Religious Engagement Project Success Stories
The Nigerian Youth Collective Action for Religious Engagement (Youth CARE) Project, implemented by Search for Common Ground in partnership with Young Leaders Network (YLN), empowers young people in Bauchi, Plateau, and Gombe States to promote interreligious tolerance and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). The project focuses on capacity-building, trust-building,…
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Bridging Faiths, Building Peace – JISRA’s Transformative Impact Across Plateau and Kaduna Communities
These success stories highlight the transformative impact of the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) program in promoting peaceful societies in Plateau and Kaduna, Nigeria, through interfaith dialogue and Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB).
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COMITAS II Project Success Stories – From Conflict to Coexistence
The COMITAS II project focuses on mitigating conflicts over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa and Taraba States, Nigeria. The project, funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mercy Corps, and Search for Common Ground (SFCG), aims…
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Inclusive Religious Engagement Enhanced by Women (I-RENEW) Project Success Stories
This document highlights the “Inclusive Religious Engagement Enhanced by Women” (I-RENEW) project, a 24-month initiative funded by the European Commission and implemented by Search for Common Ground and local partners (DREP Centre and FOMWAN). The project aims to empower women religious actors and youth activists to promote freedom of religion…
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Youth for Humanity: Engaging Youth to Promote Religious Freedom in Pakistan
Search for Common Ground, in collaboration with the Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness (SFEA) and Pakistan Research Institute for Sustainable Media (PRISM), implemented the project “Youth for Humanity: Engaging Youth to Promote Religious Freedom in Pakistan” from September 2020 to June 2023 in Karachi and Lahore. The project aimed…
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Faith in Policy: right-sizing religious actors’ role in democratic processes
People all over the world look to religion and belief systems for guidance on how to live their lives, including in the public sphere. Unsurprisingly, religious actors therefore play a significant role in shaping the social and political landscapes of many societies – despite their engagement remaining a contentious issue…
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SHIFT – Strengthening Interfaith Forums and Youth Engagement in Indonesia to Promote Tolerance
In November 2023, Search launched SHIFT, a 14-month initiative supported by USAID under the Asia REF project, that aims to empower youth and religious actors to respond to issues of freedom of religion in Indonesia. Context Although Indonesia’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, followers of religions outside of the six ‘official’…
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A Multi-Religious Approach to Peacebuilding Toolkit: Building Common Ground among Religious Actors
A Multi-Religious Approach to Peacebuilding toolkit was developed by Search for Common Ground and Religions for Peace. It includes a presentation, facilitator guide, and workbook.
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Working with Religious Actors
Asia REF projects operate in diverse contexts and conditions, yet a common factor is their engagement with religious actors and organizations. Effective engagement with them is vital for promoting religious and ethnic freedom, given their significant presence and influence within communities. Understanding their perspectives, respecting their traditions, and building trust…
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Religious Engagement in Nigeria Enhanced by Women (I-RENEW)
Overview The I-RENEW project focuses on enhancing religious engagement in Nigeria by empowering women and youth to promote FoRB and peaceful coexistence in Plateau and Kaduna States. The project employs a Common Ground Approach to build capacities, foster collaboration, and reshape societal norms through media and advocacy. Key interventions include…
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