Building Blocks for Peace

𝐁𝐁𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 “𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚” We are happy to share with our supporters and partners the narrative report of our efforts in 2025. In the words of our executive director, 'I am very proud as the Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, to share how our collective resilience, partnerships and commitment have shaped milestones that continue to define our journey forward. At the beginning of the year 2025, which was themed ‘Consolidating Peace: Advancing the Implementation of Youth, Women Peace and Security Agenda’, we had committed and set out to increase our support for youth and women building blocks for peace across communities in Nigeria and beyond. This report shows that we kept our commitment. From Brussels to Banjul, Nairobi to Bishoftu, Kampala to The Hague, Oslo to Addis Ababa, Niamey to Amman, Freetown to Accra, Ibadan to Makurdi we worked alongside local and international stakeholders, shaping policies, empowering youth, amplifying youth and women’s voices, and celebrating their resilience. Download report here bit.ly/4c43T22

𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗢𝘆𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 The West African Youth Protection and Advocacy Network (WAYPAN) is deeply saddened and outraged by the recent kidnapping of school children and teachers in the Oriire area of Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. WAYPAN strongly condemns this cowardly and reprehensible attack on innocent Nigerians, particularly school children whose only aspiration is to learn and build a better future. This heinous act represents a direct assault on the rights of young Nigerians to live in peace and access education in a safe and secure environment. @waypanregional Secretariat is hosted at @bbforpeace. Watch this video for more!

𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗢𝘆𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 The West African Youth Protection and Advocacy Network (WAYPAN), @waypanregional, is deeply saddened and outraged by the recent kidnapping of school children and teachers in the Oriire area of Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. WAYPAN strongly condemns this cowardly and reprehensible attack on innocent Nigerians, particularly school children whose only aspiration is to learn and build a better future. This heinous act represents a direct assault on the rights of young Nigerians to live in peace and access education in a safe and secure environment. WAYPAN Secretariat is hosted at @bbforpeace. Read the press statement in the links below: nannews.ng/group-condemns… leadership.ng/oyo-abduction-… guardian.ng/news/oyo-schoo… Oyo Abduction: Nigeria under siege, govt overwhelmed — Youth Network vanguardngr.com/2026/05/oyo-ab…. Oyo school kidnapping: WAYPAN urges FG to address socio-economic drivers of insecurity - Blueprint Newspapers Limited share.google/ZwTh43RIaB0nfq…

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁! 🎉🎉 Today we celebrate the dedication, passion, and impact you bring to the works we do at @bbforpeace. May this new year bring you joy, strength, and even greater milestones in your journey in life. Wishing you a wonderful birthday filled with #peace, love, laughter, and endless possibilities. Happy birthday, @mhyde42!

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗻𝘀 - 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. At @bbforpeace, we are empowering women who are leading the way by: 🌍 Rebuilding trust in fractured communities 🕊️ Driving reconciliation through dialogue 💪 Championing policies that protect the vulnerable For us, we believe that when women shape peace, societies become stronger, fairer, and more secure. ✨ Let’s move from conflict to collaboration. ✨ Let’s center women in every peace process. ✨ Let’s build security that lasts. We count on your support! #WomenPeaceSecurity #PeopleBuildingPeace #LeaveNoOneBehind

𝐁𝐁𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐀𝐏 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 This week, we had the privilege of welcoming Mr. Michael Oyinlola to our Abuja office. His visit forms part of ongoing engagements with key stakeholders to evaluate Nigeria’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace and Security (2021–2024), led by Expertise France in close collaboration with the Nigeria Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security. Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security serves as the country’s strategic framework for advancing meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and security processes. The ongoing evaluation seeks to assess the implementation progress of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, identify challenges encountered, and explore opportunities to strengthen the development of the second National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security in Nigeria. Since its establishment in 2017, @bbforpeace has remained at the forefront of advocating for, mobilising, and empowering young people to promote peace and social cohesion across Nigeria. #PeopleBuildingPeace #NigeriaYouth4Peace

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻! 🎉 Be part of the National Conference on Youth, Peace & Security (YPS) happening on 26 May 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria! @bbforpeace, in partnership with the @fmydNG, @IpcrNigeria, with support from the @ng_youthfund, invites young changemakers (18–35), civil society actors, researchers, policymakers, security practitioners, students, development partners, and peace advocates to join this groundbreaking event. Theme: Bridging Policy and Practice: Multistakeholders Engagement in Youth, Peace and Security Frameworks Implementation Why Attend? Connect with leaders and peers driving the YPS agenda Explore innovative solutions for peace and security in Nigeria Raise momentum and mobilise action for YPS implementation 📌 Don’t miss this chance to add your voice to the national conversation on peace and security! 👉 Apply now through the link below and secure your spot! forms.gle/kb45UVZbrnEBi1… #PeopleBuildingPeace

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆! Join the conversation on how to protect civic space. Theme: Coalition-Building for Civic Space Protection Date: Tuesday 19th May 2026 (today) Time: 12.00pm Lagos Time Venue: Zoom Zoom link: us06web.zoom.us/j/83411077695?… Meeting ID: 834 1107 7695 Passcode: tcphP2

𝗕𝗕𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 Last week, @bbforpeace, the regional secretariat of @gppac in West Africa participated in the regional conference themed "Migration & Climate Action in West and Central Africa: From Policy Commitment to Climate Mobility Investment," organised by the @IOMROWCA in Lagos, Nigeria. The conference brought together Ministers from across West and Central Africa, alongside senior representatives of climate funds, multilateral development banks, and regional institutions, to engage in strategic dialogue on climate-related human mobility. The event served as an important platform for bridging policy commitments with investment action through high-level discussions and solution-oriented engagements aimed at strengthening regional responses to climate mobility challenges. Key discussions focused on: * Policy and Data: Governing Climate Mobility in West and Central Africa * Human Mobility and Climate Finance: From Risk to a Shared Finance Contract * Delivering the Pipeline: Evidence, Pathways, and Finance for Climate Mobility * Shaping a Regional Voice on Climate Mobility: Priorities, Ownership, and Action By engaging in these discussions, BBFORPEACE continues to bridge the gap between policy commitments and grassroots realities, amplifying youth perspectives in shaping regional responses to climate mobility challenges. #Youth4Peace #NigeriaYouth4Peace #ClimateSecurity #PeopleBuildingPeace

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲. For Nigerian youth and #youth across the world, peace is in the way we mentor, the way we create, the way we care for our environment, and the way we stand up for justice. At @bbforpeace, we see young people not as “beneficiaries” but as 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. Every idea, every action, every collaboration is a brick in the foundation of lasting #peace. Let’s stop talking about youth as the future. Let’s start showing how youth are shaping peace today. 💪 #Youth4Peace #NigeriaYouth4Peace #PeopleBuildingPeace

“There is no way to peace, peace is the way”. - A.J. Muste Happy new week! At @bbforpeace, we believe that peace is not a destination, it’s the journey we choose every day. As we begin this new week, we encourage you to walk the path of peace through kindness, dialogue, and resilience. Remember, every action rooted in compassion brings us closer to the world we dream of, so, let’s make this week one of intentional steps toward harmony and justice. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead! #PeopleBuildingPeace #MondayMotivation

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆! At @bbforpeace, Fridays are more than just the end of the week—they’re a reminder to pause, reflect, and celebrate the progress we’ve made together in building peace. As we step into the weekend, let’s carry forward the spirit of resilience, dialogue, and hope. Peace is not just a goal—it’s a daily practice, nurtured in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Take time to rest, recharge, and recommit to spreading kindness and understanding. Because sustainable #peace begins with each of us. Wishing you a beautiful and restful weekend! #TGIF

𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 This week, we had the pleasure of receiving Mr. Mathias Yake , Executive Director of the Centre for Resilience Building and Development, Bauchi State, at the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation office in Abuja. During the visit, discussions focused on the state of peace and security across Northeast Nigeria, with both organizations exploring areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration. At the end of the meeting, both organizations agreed to work together in advancing youth and women development, peacebuilding, and climate security initiatives across Northeast Nigeria and the country at large. #peoplebuildingpeace

𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐎𝐧𝐞-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 @bbforpeace in partnership with @waypanregional, with support from @ The KARIBU Foundation is inviting you to a One-Day Awareness and Capacity-Building Seminar on Coalition-Building for Civic Space Protection. ✨ Theme: Power in Numbers: Strategic Coalition Building to Defend Civic Space in Africa ✨ Date: 19 May 2026 ✨ Time: 12:00pm WAT ✨ Where? Zoom (see flyer for more details) This Seminar is free but registration is compulsory. To attend, kindly click the link below to register: forms.gle/5UuT6p6punC5Qo… #YouthCivicSpaceProtection #PeopleBuildingPeace

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲. Floods, droughts, and rising seas force families to move, strain resources, and spark tensions between communities. At @bbforpeace, we believe that climate resilience is peace resilience. By strengthening cooperation across borders, investing in sustainable solutions, and empowering local voices, we can turn climate challenges into opportunities for unity. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹: ✨ Protect the planet to protect people. ✨ Build resilience to prevent conflict. ✨ Unite communities to secure peace. Together, let’s ensure that climate action is not just about survival—it’s about creating a safer, more peaceful world for all. #ClimatePeaceSecurity #PeopleBuildingPeace

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 @bbforpeace, in partnership with the @fmydNG, @IpcrNigeria, with support from @ng_youthfund, is pleased to invite applications from young people (aged 18-35), civil society actors, researchers, policymakers, security practitioners, students, development partners, and peacebuilding advocates to participate in a National Conference on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS). This conference themed 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is scheduled to hold on 𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, in Abuja, Nigeria. It is aimed at exploring, raising momentum and mobilising stakeholders for the implementation of Youth, Peace and Security agenda in Nigeria. If this interests you, kindly click the link below to apply: forms.gle/kb45UVZbrnEBi1… #Youth4Peace #NigeriaYouth4Peace #PeopleBuildingPeace

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗱𝗷𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 In many parts of the region, agriculture and pastoralism, the backbone of rural livelihoods, are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. Cropping seasons are less predictable. Water sources are drying up or becoming contested. Grazing routes that once followed established patterns are shifting in response to ecological stress. As livelihoods become more precarious, tensions over access to land and water intensify. Yet what stood out most was the insistence, repeated across sessions, that climate change does not directly cause conflict. Rather, it acts as a “threat multiplier”, amplifying existing grievances, inequalities, and governance failures. This distinction is critical. It forces a move away from overly simplistic narratives that attribute conflict solely to environmental change, and instead encourages a more nuanced understanding of how climate interacts with governance, identity, economics, and power. In essence, climate change is not rewriting the script of conflict; it is accelerating and intensifying the dynamics that were already present. Read more here: bbforpeace.org/blog/from-abid… #CLIMPSE #ClimatePeaceSecurity #PeopleBuildingPeace

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲! At @bbforpeace, we affirm that women are not just participants in peacebuilding—they are leaders, mediators, and visionaries shaping more inclusive societies. The Women, Peace, and Security agenda reminds us that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without women’s full and equal participation. From grassroots activism to national policy, women bring unique perspectives that strengthen dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion. As we continue our mission, we call for greater investment in women’s leadership, protection of their rights, and recognition of their role as agents of peace. Together, let’s build a future where women’s voices are not only heard but drive the transformation toward lasting #peace. #WomenPeaceSecurity #PeopleBuildingPeace #LeaveNoOneBehind

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 At @bbforpeace, we believe that young people are central to building sustainable peace and security. Across #Nigeria and the world, youth are leading dialogues, mediating conflicts, and transforming communities. Yet, their voices are often overlooked in decision-making. The Youth, Peace, and Security agenda reminds us that peace cannot be achieved without the active participation of young people. Let’s empower youth to be agents of change, bridge-builders, and defenders of social cohesion. Together, we can create inclusive societies where every young person has the tools and opportunities to shape a peaceful future. #Youth4Peace #NigeriaYouth4Peace #PeopleBuildingPeace #LeaveNoOneBehind

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.” – John F. Kennedy At @bbforpeace, we believe that every small act of dialogue, tolerance, and collaboration contributes to building lasting peace in our communities. Let’s commit to the daily work of peace—together. Wishing you a peaceful and productive week ahead. #PeopleBuildingPeace