Who We Are

1.Background

The ECOWAS Peace Fund (EPF) was established under Article 36 of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 1999 Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security (also known as the Mechanism), signed by the Ecowas Heads of State and Government on December 1999.

In pursuance of this decision, the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, at the end of an extraordinary session held on 1^st to 2^nd September 2003, instructed that a percentage of the proceeds of the Community Levy received from Member States shall be remitted to the Peace Fund. In addition, the ECOWAS leaders launched an appeal to the international community for assistance in the operationalisation of the Peace Fund.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) was the first major institution to respond to this appeal, through the "Support to ECOWAS for Peace and Development Project (PADEP)" in 2004, and the Peace Fund became fully operational in May 2006. The EPF constitutes on of the key pillars of the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture. The rapid and flexible funding instrument supports the implementation of:

• The Mechanism, the 1999 Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security.
• The 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
• The ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF).
• The ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
• ECOWAS Vision 2050, an ECOWAS of the people, namely a borderless, peaceful, fully integrated and prosperous West African region, Peace and Prosperity for all

2.Mission and Objectives of the Peace Fund

The mission of the EPF is to provide support to the realization of activities and initiatives for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and recovery, while developing the capacities of relevant stakeholders to promote sustainable peace and human security across the West African region.

The main objectives of the ECOWAS Peace Fund are:

• To provide funding for ECOWAS peace and security activities that cannot be fortold or foreseen.
• To enable a rapid and flexible response to threats to peace and security in the West African region.
• To provide and strengthen capacities for preventive deployment and create a conducive environment for the deployment of regional or international peace support operations personnel.
• To establish a framework that would allow for ECOWAS and the international community to respond to peace and security issues in West Africa.
• To offer assistance in building the capacities of stakeholders dedicated to fostering peace, preventing conflicts, ensuring security, promoting good governance and upholding human rights.
• To supplement the financial resources allocated to ECOWAS' ordinary budget, specifically for activities related to peace and security.

3.Peace Fund Operational Windows

The ECOWAS Peace Fund is an emergency fund which operates through three (3) operational windows:

• Window 1:Support conflict prevention and capacity building activities including preventive diplomacy, early-warning system, peace-building, training and sensitization programmes, good governance and human rights
• Window 2:Supports humanitarian assistance, recovery, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction activities, including electoral processes, disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation programmes, as well as socio-economic and reintegration activities, etc.
• Window 3:Supports the deployment of civilian, police and military personnel for conflict management and peace interventions in Member States.

Beneficiariesincludes ECOWAS Institutions, Member States, Civil Society Organizations, Vulnerable groups (children, youth, women, physically challenged persons, refugees, displaced persons, etc.)