A movement in action...

Brief History

Congo Peace Academy began in 2018 on Idjwi Island as a grassroots response to the everyday fragilities shaping life across eastern DRC — from fragile livelihoods and land disputes to youth marginalization and recurrent local tensions. What started as a few community workshops and neighbourhood dialogues quickly grew into a learning hub where practical skills and peaceful practices were taught side-by-side: leadership for young people, mediation for local leaders, business skills for entrepreneurs, and Foundation for Farming techniques for smallholder families.

Rooted in lived experience, our work is built with — not for — communities. Over the years, we moved from pilot activities into sustained programs across Goma and the wider eastern DRC, adapting every curriculum to the history, language, and social norms of each place we serve. We work in close collaboration with women’s groups, youth networks, traditional leaders, and local authorities so that solutions reflect local realities and are owned locally. This approach has helped us reduce tensions in dispute-prone communities, create new economic options for families, and strengthen social cohesion at the household and community levels.

Our impact is tangible. To date, we have trained 500+ farmers (households) in climate-smart Foundation for Farming practices (with plans to scale to 5,000 households, next year); facilitated dozens of peace dialogues and mediator trainings that have helped communities resolve land and resource disputes; and equipped hundreds of youth with leadership, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills that translate into real livelihoods. Gender equality and inclusion are central to every program — women and young people are present at tables of decision-making, in trainings, and leading community initiatives.

Congo Peace Academy’s evolution from island workshops to a regional actor reflects a simple conviction: sustainable peace grows from practical change in people’s daily lives. By combining education, peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, and conservation agriculture, we turn immediate needs into long-term resilience. We are not just imagining a better future for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region — we are building it, one community at a time.

Peace Through Entrepreneurship - DRC

In 2017, during lunchtime discussions at the University of Rochester, Bienfait Mugenza (DRC) and Philemon Rono (Kenya) reflected on the challenges facing young people in our home countries. We saw that youth in both Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo were suffering due to the impact of ethnopolitical manipulation. Politicians exploited tribal divisions, eroding social cohesion and causing economic devastation. This environment led to rising unemployment, leaving young people aged eighteen to twenty-eight struggling with severe socio-economic instability and no viable path forward.

Many of these young people, faced with limited options, turned to rebel groups or engaged in illegal activities for survival. In doing so, they became entangled in cycles of violence and crime, devastating their communities and claiming countless lives. Politicians and rebel groups exploited their vulnerability, using them as pawns to perpetuate conflict, knowing that the vast majority of unemployed youth were easy targets for manipulation in exchange for money.

In these discussions, the vision for Peace Through Entrepreneurship was born. We recognized that, in order to break the cycle of poverty and violence, young people needed more than just survival strategies. They needed opportunities—specifically, entrepreneurial opportunities that could empower them to create their own paths, build economic stability, and become forces of peace in their communities.

We believed that by equipping youth with the skills to start and manage businesses, we could foster economic independence and social cohesion, helping to break down the barriers that divide them. With this vision in mind, we began our journey. In 2018, we launched our first peace project, and by 2021, we formalized our work by registering the initiative as a peace center dedicated to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and conflict resolution.

Since then, the center has made a measurable impact through workshops, training programs, and youth empowerment initiatives. In 2023 alone, we hosted or co-sponsored 40 workshops, reaching hundreds of participants. The impact continues to grow, with more young people gaining the tools to thrive and contribute to their communities.

At the core of our mission is the belief that entrepreneurship, as a tool for empowerment, is key to creating lasting peace. We envision a future where young people are not defined by the divisions that have historically separated them but are instead empowered to create their own futures, foster economic opportunities, and lead their communities toward sustainable peace.

Through our programs, we give young people the resources, skills, and mindset needed to become agents of positive change—leaders who not only seek economic success but also promote unity and peace within their communities. What began as simple conversations has grown into a powerful movement that is transforming conflict-ridden societies into thriving, united communities.

Peace Through Entrepreneurship is not just a vision—it is a movement in action, working to rebuild what was broken and offer new hope to those who need it most.

For there to be peace, we focus on root causes...

We identify and address the root causes of violent conflict within communities, working tirelessly to prevent its recurrence. This mission is made possible through collaborative efforts with local populations affected by crises, as well as engagement with political actors and civil society organizations to foster sustainable peace and resilience.

Our approach is holistic and inclusive

Our approach is holistic and inclusive, emphasizing the critical role of women in leadership and their contributions to peace and sustainable development. To achieve this, we strive to unlearn and dismantle harmful narratives and stereotypes about gender roles that perpetuate discrimination, inequality, and injustice. Education is at the heart of this effort—raising awareness about gender equality, the systems that sustain inequalities, and the realities of war. Through this, we aim to empower communities to challenge these structures and create a more just and equitable society.

Our Impacts

At Congo Peace Academy, we are proud of the significant impact we’ve made in empowering youth and fostering peace across communities.

16 000

Over 16,000 youth and adolescents have actively engaged with our programs, gaining vital skills that shape their futures.

300

We have co-led more than 300 workshops, many of them driven by the youth themselves, empowering them to lead and share their knowledge with others.

100

Through our "Become Your Own Boss" entrepreneurship and leadership training, co-sponsored by EDC and USAID as part of the ADIJ project, over 100 participants have gained the skills to transform their lives and communities.

500

Our Peace Summit has brought together over 500 young leaders, sparking discussions and inspiring action towards a peaceful future.

40

We’ve also celebrated the achievements of more than 40 Peace Through Entrepreneurship laureates who are now leading change in their communities.

600

Schools on Idjwi island and in Goma, over 600 peacemakers and student representatives promote peace and nonviolence, using the skills they’ve gained to challenge divisions and inspire unity.

100

Additionally, 100+ youth have been trained to lead Conflict Transformation workshops, equipping them with the tools to mediate and prevent future conflicts.

1800

Over 1800 families trained in conservation agriculture, using no-till farming techniques to enhance livelihoods, prevent erosion, and ensure long-term food security.

Strategic Partners and Sponsors

At Congo Peace Academy, collaboration is the cornerstone of our work. The complex challenges of sustainable peace, resilient livelihoods, and youth empowerment cannot be solved alone — they demand strong partnerships, shared expertise, and a collective commitment to lasting change.

Our strategic partners include local communities, NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions, and international organizations — all united by a vision of peaceful, thriving communities. Together, we co-design programs that are culturally grounded, evidence-based, and tailored to the unique needs of each community we serve.

Our sponsors provide essential resources that allow us to scale programs and deepen our impact. Their support enables youth leadership and entrepreneurship training, peace dialogues, and conservation agriculture initiatives — turning these efforts into tangible, lasting results.

By partnering with Congo Peace Academy, sponsors play a direct role in building resilient communities, advancing sustainable development, and fostering a future of peace, opportunity, and prosperity across the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

Acting Globally

This partnership brings an invaluable international perspective to our programs. Acting Globally supports our college preparation and peacebuilding efforts by connecting us with global networks of volunteers , resources, and expertise. Their advocacy for sustainable solutions aligns perfectly with our mission of creating long-term change.

B2R Farm

As a key partner in our agricultural initiatives, B2R Farm plays a critical role in promoting conservation agriculture and sustainable farming practices. Their support helps communities achieve food security, develop livelihoods, and reduce poverty, all of which are integral to fostering peace and stability.

Projects for Peace

Projects for Peace invests in our most ambitious and transformative programs, focusing on youth empowerment and education. Their funding and mentorship enable us to conduct workshops and support innovative projects that prepare the next generation of leaders to champion peace and progress.

Primate Expertise

Primate Expertise (PEx) brings experience in primate conservation, research, and community engagement, creating programs that protect biodiversity while empowering local communities. Our collaboration strengthens sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and resilience across the region.

Foundation for Farm International

Our partnership with Foundation for Farming International (FfFI) empowers communities in eastern DRC by combining sustainable, spiritually grounded farming techniques with practical training to improve food security, restore degraded land, and strengthen livelihoods.

Crown Financial Ministries

Our partnership with Crown Financial Ministry supports Congo Peace Academy in equipping communities with Biblically practical financial literacy and stewardship skills. Together, we help youth, families, and local leaders manage resources wisely, create sustainable livelihoods, and build stronger, economically resilient communities.

Chefferie Rubenga

Our partnership with Chefferie Rubenga on Idjwi Island strengthens local leadership and community engagement. By collaborating closely with traditional authorities, we ensure that our programs in education, peacebuilding, and sustainable agriculture are culturally grounded, widely accepted, and effectively address the specific needs of the communities we serve.

Chefferie Ntambuka

Our partnership with Chefferie Ntambuka on Idjwi Island fosters strong collaboration with local traditional authorities. Together, we implement programs in education, peacebuilding, and sustainable agriculture that are culturally appropriate, community-driven, and tailored to the specific needs of the people, ensuring lasting impact and local ownership.

Earth Africa

Earth Africa amplifies our impact by raising awareness about our programs and initiatives. Through their platform, they share stories of our work in sustainable agriculture, helping us reach broader audiences and inspire collective action for community resilience and sustainable development across eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region.

When you support Congo Peace Academy, you’re investing in community-led solutions that transform the root causes of conflict into lasting resilience. Through education that cultivates leaders, agricultural training that ensures food security, entrepreneurship that generates sustainable livelihoods, and dialogues that foster reconciliation, we empower communities to build a future of peace and opportunity.

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Get in touch!

congopeaceacademy@gmail.com

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