Every year across the world, the International Day of Peace is observed on 21 September, a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly towards strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
The Centre for Community Development and Research Network working with donors and other partners has been contributing immensely to peacebuilding efforts in the conflict ravaged Nigerian Northeast.
Through dedication, commitment and the passion to make life beautiful for vulnerable population in dire need, CCDRN has implemented series of interventions and programs that has helped in breaking the vicious circle of violence by erecting infrastructures of peace in at-risk communities. These programs and activities have helped targeted communities to find harmony and cohesion which has translated into resilience building via advocacy, engagement, and research and community mobilization.
Strengthening of Community Early Warning Response Mechanisms in Northeast Nigeria
Through this intervention, CCDRN worked with partners such as Search for Common Ground and Northeast Regional Initiative in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to engage community stakeholders to work collaboratively in their 
respective communities to identify early warning issues and provide appropriate response actions. This led to the formation of various community based volunteer groups such as the community response network (CRN) and Community Volunteers (CVs) trained on various skills and educated extensively on how to strengthen early warning systems at community level. This intervention did not only enhance the capacity of the participants, it promoted peace, unity, safety, community awareness and sensitization on certain conflict sensitive issues. It also helped in disrupting extremist’s entry point by building community resilience to violent extremism.
Youth Against Drug Abuse #YADA
This activity implemented by CCDRN at the behest of Northeast Regional Initiative NERI, focused on highlighting
the ills of drug addiction and how it opens the doors and windows for violent extremism. The campaign action offered remedies including the parents, the government, the school authorities, the religious organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders to team up in a holistic way to rescue these youths from the bondage of drug use. This campaign action ran for a period of three months and comprise community rallies, sensitization and a mini carnival that brought together over 350 youths drawn from the surrounding community youth associations to participate directly in the rallies. Participants equally sign the Peace Ambassadors pledge cards – aimed at to denounce drug use and discourage the sale of drugs in their community.
Building Community Resilience against Violent Extremist Influence In Bultuwa/Mar/Yaro Ward, Yunusari L.G.A, Yobe State
This campaign promoted communities’ awareness on the present and imminent dangers of sympathizing or harboring VEOs. Consequently, it helped develop communities’ resilience to the influence of ISIS-WA, thereby slowing the spread of their territorial control.
Community Cleanup for Peace in Vulnerable Burmari ward – Nganzai, Borno state
Through this project implemented by CCDRN at the behest of NERI, 100 youths were engaged in the work-for-cash initiative -clearing dangerous vegetation and environmental sanitation. The initiative brought about change in the
community. It also helped to unite the communities once fraught with mutual mistrust and lack of shared values due to the effect of the conflict through the cleanup activity that has now spurned them to demonstrate concern for local environments. By participating in the clean-ups, beneficiaries are created immediate results and changes in their communities for the collective good. The project which also improved livelihood options for targeted youth and built trust and credibility with the community correspondingly promoted and encouraged environmental awareness and discussion on peaceful coexistence and associated issues by encouraging oneness and shred values at community level.
