Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment of a Pastoral Sector Support Program in Niger

Peace and conflict impact assessment has emerged as a tool for development project planning and evaluation, but the links between natural resource scarcity and conflict have rarely been a part of these assessment methodologies. Applying a livelihoods lens, this field study reviews the peace and conflict impacts of a pastoral support program established by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation in Niger. In addition to offering suggestions for strengthening the project and for designating indicators of effectiveness, it identifies some characteristics of the project which have diminished conflict between herders and farmers in the project area: interest-based negotiation and development projects (e.g. health, education) that offer benefits to both communities.