This research brief examines the interconnected challenges of climate change, environmental degradation (ED), and armed conflict. The brief highlights the complex relationships between natural resources, ED, and organised violence through multi-sited examples of habitat destruction, pollution, water scarcity, oil and gas-related conflicts, and deforestation. Every such fragile setting exhibits an intricate interwovenness of climate change and ED into the tapestry of sociopolitical and economic violence. Effectively addressing the causes of armed conflict influenced by environmental factors necessitates a contextualised understanding of this dynamic. The research brief also acknowledges the differential impacts of ED's consequences on marginalised populations while highlighting the potential for women to play a transformative role in addressing ED and insecurity.

​This research brief advocates for a strengths-based approach to (re)integrating formerly armed actors (FAAs) into their receiving communities. Rather than erasing their identities and experiences in armed groups, this approach recognises the value of their skills, knowledge, and supportive social connections gained in the armed group. By leveraging these strengths, policymakers and program designers can facilitate a more effective and sustainable (re)integration process. The brief highlights the potential of skills, such as technical expertise and leadership capabilities, as well as positive forms of socialisation within armed groups enabling, for instance, empowerment opportunities for female FAAs in challenging gender norms. By embracing continuity and building upon FAAs' past experiences, (re)integration efforts can foster positive impacts on individuals and their communities.

This research brief describes the disengagement process of formerly armed actors (FAAs) from a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG) as a social network enterprise. It characterises leaving an NSAG as a relational process shaped by various nodes in a defector's network and actors at multiple societal levels such as family and community members, other FAAs, government officials, and (I)NGO professionals, varying across conflict settings and individual cases. The analysis emphasises the importance of relationships in informing individual disengagement decisions and the logistical support required for successful outcomes. It underscores the need to understand how social networks function and recommends to the institutions involved in Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) meaningful engagement with the vast range of actors implicated in this process.

This research brief focuses on moral injury (MI) among formerly armed actors (FAAs), the cognitive and emotional response that may occur in a person who has witnessed, perpetrated, or failed to prevent acts that go against their moral or ethical beliefs. Unlike post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), MI is not widely recognised as a distinct clinical condition, yet it poses significant obstacles to the mental well-being and successful (re)integration of FAAs. The brief explores how morally injurious events challenge healthy self-perceptions and clash with societal expectations, leading to a severe cognitive dissonance in affected FAAs. It examines the impact of MI on military veterans and non-state armed actors, and highlights its potential psychological consequences such as social withdrawal, substance abuse, depression and violent behaviour. The research brief argues that MI deserves attention in psychosocial counseling within (re)integration programs for FAAs. It thus proposes a framework for integrating moral repair into existing FAA mental health treatment programmes, recognising the importance of addressing chronic and intrusive feelings of shame, guilt, and remorse resulting from MI.

This research brief examines the challenges of building trusting state-society relations during peacebuilding interventions in fragile conflict contexts. State officials face people's negative perceptions of the state caused by neglect or violent intrusion in the past, being projected onto them, hindering constructive alliances. To address these challenges, the brief proposes the following adaptation strategies: Hiring practices should prioritise officials who reflect the diversity of local communities, facilitating the emergence of rapport. These officials should undergo context training focusing on perceptions of the state, historical experiences of violence and neglect, local politics and effective communication approaches. Moreover, instiutionalised long-term partnerships between state officials and communities based on mutual understanding and empathy are vital for trust building. In addition, coordination among state institutions is crucial to avoid inefficiency and contradictory policies, making the state more legible and nuanced to citizens.