Peace accords aim to end wars and create lasting peace, but they often fall short. The MicroPeace project explores why this happens by focusing on two often-overlooked groups critical to peacebuilding: bureaucrats, who make decisions on implementing peace measures, and civilians, who react to these efforts. Bureaucrats’ choices about what to carry out, where, and when have direct effects on local communities and the broader peace process. Yet, these choices are shaped by civilian responses, either supportive or resistant. Understanding the interaction between bureaucrats and communities is essential for stable peace, as these two groups form the “micro-foundations”, the core components, of peacebuilding.
MicroPeace investigates these dynamics in Colombia, offering one of the most extensive studies of its kind, focusing on two main types of peace agreement implementation: public goods, like infrastructure and social services, and transitional justice, which addresses accountability and reconciliation. The project will explore the idea that bureaucrats’ choices vary depending on both the type of peace measures implemented and their sense of support from the community, while civilians’ support for peace efforts depends on the benefits they see from each measure.
MicroPeace is a collaboration between PRIO, NTNU, and Universidad de los Andes (Colombia). We will collect a broad set of original data, including surveys and interviews with bureaucrats, surveys with civilians, discussion groups with community members, detailed local-level data on peace implementation across Colombia, as well as contextual data. Our approach captures a wide range of perspectives and dimensions, providing unique insights into peacebuilding on the ground. By studying how bureaucrats and communities interact locally in Colombia, MicroPeace aims to enhance our understanding of the complexities in peacebuilding and provide valuable lessons that can guide more effective peace efforts globally.
