Joint Peace Fund


After 60 years of conflict, the government and 8 Ethnic Armed Groups have signed a National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October 2015, opening up a unique opportunity to find lasting peace. The Joint Peace Fund is a multi-donor fund set up to channel coordinated international support for such efforts, including the implementation of the NCA and following political dialogue of the peace process, a requirement for development especially in border areas.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Myanmar
Conflict & fragility

Conflict prevention
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2027
CHF  1’450’000
Background

The Joint Peace Fund has been established in December 2015 under the guidance of the donor Peace Support Group, currently chaired by Switzerland. It aims at channelling coordinated international support for national efforts to achieve a final and lasting settlement of ethnic armed conflict in Myanmar. The main programme areas anticipated are:

  • Support to institutions, process and activities that form the core architecture of the NCA and/or other peace instrument(s) that may be negotiated in the future. This may include efforts that promote broad-based inclusion of Ethnic Armed Organisations in the peace process.
  • Peacebuilding support, responding to demands emerging mainly from the sub-state and community levels. The Fund should support initiatives that increase trust, confidence, engagement and participation in the peace process and/or enhance safety and security at the community level.
  • Applied research that strengthens stakeholder understanding of peace and conflict dynamics and issues relate to the implementation of the peace process.

The Joint Peace Fund will have a three-tiered governance structure:

  • A High Level Committee, comprising the national stakeholders and international donors, responsible for the overall strategic direction and oversight of the Fund.
  • A Fund Board, made up of donors, with responsibility for decision-making on project submissions and resource allocations
  • State-level Working Committees, serving as advisory bodies at the sub-national level.

Support to the Joint Peace Fund is line with the Swiss Cooperation Strategy for Myanmar 2013-2017, under domain IV: Peace, democratisation and protection. It is also in line with SDC’s focus on fragility and conflict transformation.

Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)


Estimated operational start of intervention

Phase 1: 2016-2020 (with inception phase)
Phase 2: 2020-2024
Phase 3: 2024-2026

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’450’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    0
Project phases Phase 99 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2027   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.04.2016 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)