By Kabir Abasaya, Fasaha Stream Correspondent, Katsina
The four-day training for women under the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme, organized by Mercy Corps in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), came to an end on Thursday in Katsina.
The final day of the workshop, held at Katsina Guest Inn, focused on Community and Social Development Resource Management (CSDRM) — a key component designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of how to sustainably manage shared community resources while promoting peace and resilience.
Facilitated by Ms. Linda Nkechi, Senior Programme Officer at Mercy Corps, the session explored various approaches to community-led governance, climate resilience, and collaborative resource management. Participants were trained on the importance of managing communal assets such as land, water, and forests in ways that reduce conflict and foster social harmony.
According to the organizers, the session aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge of the usefulness of shared community and social development resources, increase awareness of the impacts of climate conditions on resource management, and empower women to take leadership roles in developing community action plans.
The CSDRM training, which ran from 5th to 6th November 2025, followed a two-day Interest-Based Negotiation (IBN) training conducted earlier in the week. Together, both sessions formed part of a comprehensive capacity-building programme targeting women from conflict-prone communities in Safana, Faskari, Sabuwa, and Dandume Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The EU-funded CPCRR Programme, implemented across 48 communities in 10 LGAs in Katsina and Zamfara States, seeks to promote lasting peace, stability, and socio-economic recovery in Northwest Nigeria by addressing the root causes of conflict and enhancing community resilience.
Mercy Corps, which has been active in Nigeria since 2012, emphasized that the initiative underscores the importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding and local governance. The organization noted that empowering women with practical tools to prevent conflict and manage resources sustainably is central to achieving long-term social cohesion and development.
Participants expressed appreciation to the organizers, describing the training as insightful and timely, especially in helping rural women understand how environmental and social factors can influence peace and community well-being.
The CPCRR Programme is funded by the European Union (EU) and jointly implemented by IOM, Mercy Corps, and CDD.
