The Trustbuilding Program (TBP) aims to address divisive issues at the national and community level through strategic trustbuilding work, designed locally and tailored to local needs. In order to achieve sustained peace, not solely the absence of violent conflict, a deep level of mutual trust and understanding is needed.
We inspire and equip people with the inner qualities, practices and skills needed to build trust across deep divides, heal historical wounds, bring together diverse groups in honest conversation, and develop and sustain multi-sector networks working for social cohesion and equity.
Each local project is designed depending on the specific context and need. We support the local teams in fundraising, project management, evaluation, communication and project design. The Trustbuilding Program is currently active in seven countries, each year we roll out the program to three/ four additional countries.
We focus on people’s personal responsibility, which breaks the cycle of denial, blame, and victimhood. Individuals become trustbuilders by being willing to take a fearless look at their own attitudes and behavior.
To achieve sustained peace, not solely the absence of violent conflict, a deep level of mutual trust and understanding is needed.
At a time of increasing polarization, trust is diminishing around the world. Communities face racial and religious divides, intergenerational conflict, as well as social divisions.
Community cohesion lies at the center of what makes a strong, vibrant and safe community. Connecting fragmented communities demands the best of everyone, regardless of their race, political preference or belief systems. Building trust is the essential foundation for building healthy communities; it is not a technique that can be taught, but rather a style of citizen leadership which offers a vision of hope and opportunity for everyone.
Quite often, reforms needed in our communities require levels of political courage and trust-based collaboration that can only be achieved by individuals who have the vision, integrity, and persistence to call out the best in others and sustain deep and long-term efforts.
Talia Smith
Program Manager
Alena Vasilyeva
Program Assistant
Rob Corcoran
Program Design & Training consultant
Manon Michelle Monhemius
Communications Officer
Jessie Sutherland
Evaluations Consultant
Hengi Bayat
Fundraising Manager
The Trustbuilding Program is governed by a Program Steering Group:
Ron Lawler (Chair); Alex Wise; Roweida Saleh; Barry Hart; Firyal Mohamed; Mediatrix Masava; Imad Karam; and Shakiyla Smith (Fetzer Institute).
Talia Smith - Planning Committee Chair
Alex Wise - Fundraising Committee Chair
The Trustbuilding Program is in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
