After a decade-long civil conflict, Nepal faces the challenges of a transitional situation wherein conflict sensitivity has been a significant element of development assistance. Since 2010, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been adopting a conflict-sensitive approach (or positively termed as peace-sensitive approach) to development in Nepal. This approach refers to understanding the local context, and identifying and addressing potential risks to development assistance. The peace-sensitive approach, particularly using the peacebuilding tool (PBT), is being used to inform ADB strategies, programs, and projects in Nepal.1 ADB, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has engaged the government to adopt this approach at the central and local levels through capacity building.
Building local capacity for peace-sensitive development in Nepal enables the government to formulate and implement policies that are sensitive to conflict, minimizing the risks to development interventions. Conflict sensitivity provides ways to reduce conflict, helps communities build peace, and enables institutions to address the structural causes of conflict.
This publication aims to share the experiences and lessons from the capacity building for peace-sensitive development in Nepal. It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of government leadership and ownership in mainstreaming the peace-sensitive approach in the context of a transitional or postconflict situation. Other countries experiencing fragility and development agencies may replicate or build upon the conflict-sensitive approach in Nepal to increase aid effectiveness in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCAS).