March 23, 2026
The Global Peace Foundation held a strategic consultative meeting with Ms. Carla Lisa Heimann, Peacebuilding Advisor for the Civil Peace Service (CPS) under the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), to contribute insights toward the design of the next phase of the CPS program (2028–2030).
The meeting took place at the office of Daniel Juma Omondi, Africa Regional Representative of GPF, and brought into focus critical peacebuilding priorities, conflict drivers, and collaborative opportunities within Kenya’s evolving socio-political landscape.
Ms. Heimann highlighted that the Civil Peace Service is a global initiative funded by the German government and implemented by a consortium of nine German organizations, including GIZ. In Kenya, CPS works closely with both civil society and government actors to strengthen capacities for conflict transformation, with a particular focus on addressing violent conflicts linked to social inequality and displacement. She emphasized the program’s commitment to participatory approaches and the “do no harm” principle in all interventions.
During the engagement, Mr. Omondi shared GPF’s extensive experience in grassroots peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and character education initiatives across Kenya. He underscored the importance of strengthening community resilience, promoting ethical leadership, and addressing emerging challenges such as youth disenfranchisement, political polarization, and social fragmentation.
The discussion also explored lessons learned from past peacebuilding interventions, with both parties acknowledging the need for more localized, inclusive, and sustainable approaches. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of youth, faith-based organizations, and community leaders as key actors in fostering long-term peace and stability.
Ms. Heimann expressed appreciation for the insights provided by GPF, noting that stakeholder consultations such as this are essential in ensuring that the next phase of the CPS program is responsive, impactful, and aligned with the realities on the ground.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both GPF and GIZ to advancing peacebuilding efforts in Kenya through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnership.
As the CPS program design process continues, GIZ is expected to engage a wide range of stakeholders across the country, with findings from these consultations informing a comprehensive and inclusive framework for the 2028–2030 phase.
