This report documents ten cases in which local people and organisations were able to directly stop war. Each case explores a different approach that has achieved at least some success in preventing, containing, or ending armed conflict with minimal external assistance. I argue that such efforts can be made less dangerous and more effective when they are coordinated alongside each other and take place within a broader, collaborative framework such as that being developed by CEWARN. In an era when traditional peacekeeping missions are evolving into a more flexible spectrum of peace operations, the kind of local capabilities illustrated in this report should be considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into future missions.

The cases include:

1. Political consensus & mass demonstrations in Nepal, 2005-2007.

2. National dialogue in Tunisia, 2013-2015.

3. Peace conferences & traditional peacemaking in Somaliland, 1991-present.

4. Citizen diplomacy, media campaigns, and preventive action, Kenya, 2007.

5. “Bottom-up” Peacekeeping, Kyrgyzstan, 2010.

6. Preventing electoral violence, Nigeria, 2014-2015.

7. Monitoring peace agreements & implementing disarmament programmes, Solomon Islands, 1999-2006.

8. Peace committees in Sudan (South Kordofan), 2011-present.

9. Peace communities, Colombia, 1987-present.

10. Data, technology and regional collaboration, The Horn of Africa, 2002-present.