EU-Funded Programme Trains Katsina Officials On Conflict Prevention

The European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme has commenced training for government officials in Katsina State to strengthen conflict prevention, peacebuilding and community resilience across 48 communities.

The two-day action-planning training, held at Katsina Guest Inn, is being implemented by Mercy Corps in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

The programme operates across 48 communities in 10 local government areas of Katsina and Zamfara states, with the broader objective of promoting long-term peace and socio-economic stability in Northwest Nigeria.

The training is designed to equip government officials with practical skills to translate community needs, conflict analysis and government priorities into realistic and accountable action plans.

Speaking during the training, the Katsina State Coordinator of Mercy Corps, Mr Phillip Ikita, said effective action planning was critical because government officials play a central role in coordinating service delivery, allocating resources and linking community priorities with local government and state development plans.

Ikita said participants were expected to strengthen their ability to identify local development and conflict-related challenges, set clear priorities and develop results-oriented interventions.

He said the training also focused on improving coordination among government institutions and community structures by clarifying responsibilities, timelines, resource requirements and mechanisms for monitoring implementation.

Ikita explained that under the CPCRR programme, Mercy Corps leads activities aimed at strengthening community mechanisms for conflict prevention, promoting inclusive dialogue, enhancing resilience to climate-related shocks and implementing Quick Impact Projects.

In Katsina State, the programme targets Batsari, Danmusa, Jibia, Kankara, Dandume, Faskari, Sabuwa and Safana local government areas.

The CPCRR programme builds on the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and seeks to address the root causes of conflict while supporting socio-economic recovery and locally led peace initiatives.

The training is expected to help government officials develop sustainable, government-led responses to challenges relating to peacebuilding, natural resource management, development and service delivery.