Leading the Way with Peace
Progress Beyond Programs in Conflict Context
A Champion for Change
A quarter of the world’s population now lives in conflict-affected areas and 80 percent of USAID Missions are in fragile or conflict-affected states.
For over six decades, USAID has implemented peacebuilding programs after the outbreak of violent conflict. However, once conflict has erupted, development assistance is limited in its ability to end the violence.
Recognizing the need to address the root causes and stop violence before it erupts, USAID’s Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization is an investment in global peace and stability, and U.S. national security. USAID’s Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization fosters stable and peaceful societies in complex political transitions and conflict-prone environments to create a foundation for sustainable development and advance U.S. national security interests.
CPS guides USAID’s approach in fragile states, contested spaces, and political transitions. We catalyze interagency coordination and provide rapid, fit-for-purpose support to USAID Missions and our partners. We adapt our conflict prevention, peacebuilding, stabilization, civ-mil cooperation, and political transition support to drivers of instability and the growing complexity of modern conflict.
The frequency, intensity, and complexity of modern conflict and political transitions requires agile, adaptive programming and an integrated approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. CPS has five offices in Washington. Most staff report to Washington, but 66 staff are based in 19 countries and DoD institutions, including six Combatant Commands, that work together to break the costly cycle of instability, build peace, advance national security, and help societies navigate political transitions.
How We Do It
We work in more than 60 countries around the world.
- The Office of Transition Initiatives advances U.S. foreign policy interests in political transitions and contested spaces by seizing emerging windows of opportunity to promote stability, peace, and democracy. The Transition Initiatives account enables rapid assistance for local initiatives and agile programming that supports political transitions and addresses conflict.
- The Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention provides USAID Missions with peacebuilding expertise and funding mechanisms that enhance the effectiveness of programs in areas affected by fragility, conflict, and violence. CVP curates and disseminates best practices in peacebuilding and violence prevention, provides expert training and technical assistance, leverages new technologies, and delivers cutting-edge context analyses that improve the conflict sensitivity of USAID’s programs.
- The Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation addresses conflict and fragility, advances strategic competition, and manages global security risks by informing national security policy and fostering civilian military partnerships and understanding. CMC’s expertise supports USAID bureaus and missions in planning and programming, while leveraging partnerships with the Department of Defense to foster peaceful and stable societies.
- The Program and Policy Office drives transformative change across the Bureau by providing thought leadership on policies related to conflict, violence, and fragility. It advocates for budget resources, shapes strategic communications, and builds relationships with key U.S government counterparts to advance the Bureau’s ability to effectively respond to complex crises.
- The Office of Administrative Management Services partners with Agency stakeholders to provide human resources, operations, professional development, and financial support to the Bureau.
Read about our Policies
Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization: Engagements
