Written by: Hala Nur, Educational Consultant Team Leader
In the heart of Ethiopia and Sudan, young men and women are reshaping their futures through the power of peace education. In regions affected by conflict and division, young people often bear the brunt of instability – yet they also hold the power to build lasting peace. Across both countries, the Enabling University Peace Education (EUPE) project is demonstrating this by transforming university students into confident, capable peacebuilders, ready to lead change from the ground up. Co-funded by the European Union and the British Council, EUPE is more than a peace education programme, it is a bold investment in youth leadership and community resilience. By combining academic learning with hands-on experience, EUPE equips students with the tools, platforms, support and confidence they need to become peacebuilders in their own communities, address real-world challenges and build bridges in divided communities.
Since its launch, the project has engaged over 4,600 students across seven universities in Ethiopia and Sudan. At its heart are social action projects (SAPs), student-led initiatives that put peacebuilding theory into practice at a grassroots level. These projects are more than learning exercises – they are lived experiences in leadership, empathy and innovation. Students identify local conflicts, design culturally relevant interventions, and bring together diverse community members to foster dialogue, collaboration and healing. EUPE’s peace education modules provide practical training in conflict resolution and equip students to lead meaningful change. The impact of the programme extends well beyond the university walls, as students are given the opportunity to put their learning into action through community-led initiatives.
Grants awarded through the programme have supported 72 social action projects in Ethiopia and Sudan, each designed to address pressing local issues through grassroots engagement. The EUPE initiative has supported a diverse range of projects addressing peace education, conflict resolution and community engagement. Many have focused on gender-based violence (GBV) awareness and prevention, providing targeted support to women and high school students. Others have empowered young people to lead peace clubs and advocate for social cohesion. Creative approaches, such as using art, sports and music, have fostered dialogue and reconciliation in communities affected by conflict. Additionally, initiatives aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating vulnerable populations, including prisoners and street youth, have provided education and behavioural change training, helping them find a path back into society.
In Ethiopia, students have used EUPE’s interactive workshops and training modules to develop skills in conflict analysis, facilitation and community engagement. For many, the programme has marked a pivotal moment, shifting their understanding of peace from the theoretical to the practical. For students like Hilina Waka, the programme has been transformative. A student at Bahir Dar University, Hilina had always believed in the importance of overcoming societal barriers to build a fairer more peaceful society. Before joining EUPE, her understanding of peacebuilding was largely conceptual but, through the programme’s training, she was introduced to a more hands-on approach, designing and leading social action projects that directly addressed local challenges. With a focus on gender dynamics in peacebuilding, Hilina’s project tackled the barriers preventing women from actively participating in peace initiatives. The experience not only sharpened her leadership and facilitation skills but also ignited a lifelong passion for advocacy and social justice.
Hilina’s journey is just one of many. Kidist Ayenew recalls how EUPE gave her the tools to turn a passion for social change into tangible action. Before participating, she was eager to contribute to peace efforts but wasn’t sure how to translate her aspirations into real impact. The programme’s interactive workshops and case studies helped her develop critical skills in conflict analysis, dialogue facilitation, and project management. Inspired by this new knowledge, Kidist and her fellow students launched initiatives aimed at fostering social cohesion within their communities. Through trial and error, they learned how to sustain their projects, engage stakeholders, and navigate the complexities of real-world peacebuilding. What started as a training course quickly became a personal mission, one that instilled a deep sense of agency, resilience, and responsibility to make a difference.
With support from EUPE training, Melkam Chanie was able to refine her passion for gender equality and peacebuilding into action. Initially aware of the challenges women face in peacebuilding, she lacked a deeper understanding of their root causes. The social action project provided her with the knowledge to advocate for gender equality while honing her communication, leadership, and organisational skills. The training also enabled her to connect with like-minded individuals and organisations and develop the skills to mobilise her peers around gender equality. Seeing the positive outcomes reinforced her commitment to social justice, inspiring her to continue advocating for women's rights in her future endeavours. Her project strengthened her communication, leadership and organisational abilities, while connecting her with networks that support women’s rights.
Beyond individual growth, EUPE-supported initiatives in Ethiopia have addressed a wide range of issues – from gender-based violence prevention and youth rehabilitation, to art-based peacebuilding and the reintegration of marginalised groups. In Bahir Dar, EUPE training was even extended to university security personnel, contributing to a safer, more peaceful campus environment.
In Sudan, EUPE has catalysed a wave of youth-led peace initiatives in regions impacted by conflict and displacement. In July 2024, university students from Kordofan, Gedarif and Red Sea states implemented 27 social action projects designed to strengthen dialogue, tolerance and reconciliation at the community level. These initiatives brought together a broad cross-section of society, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, educators, local vendors and children. Through creative and inclusive approaches, students addressed the root causes of conflict and laid the foundations for longer-term peacebuilding. One standout initiative, Salam Jakum (meaning “Peace Has Come to You”), was led by Mohamed Babiker and five of his colleagues in Kordofan. Their project used interactive theatre performances in local markets to promote peaceful coexistence and support community-led conflict resolution efforts, drawing on traditional peace-making tools.
In Gedarif, another initiative, led by Hanan Ali, also focused on young people in an IDP camp. Her team facilitated group discussions on social cohesion and resilience and provided psychosocial support to young people affected by trauma and instability. Isra Osman led a project in the Red Sea State that brought together displaced and host communities through inclusive events such as sports tournaments, theatre productions and art workshops. These activities created safe spaces for connection, mutual understanding and healing – helping to foster a renewed sense of community and belonging. Each of these initiatives reflected a strong commitment to cultural relevance and local ownership, which are essential ingredients for sustainable peacebuilding. Together, these projects showcased the creativity and commitment of Sudanese youth in advancing community-led peace efforts.
What sets EUPE apart is its holistic, student-centred approach. Participants are not only introduced to peace theory but are trained in key areas such as conflict analysis, project design and stakeholder engagement. Crucially, they are then trusted and resourced to apply their learning through real-world action. These experiences go beyond skills development. EUPE enables young people to find their voice, realise their potential and see themselves as active agents of change. From empowering women and championing social justice, to healing fractured communities through creative engagement, EUPE students are leading with passion, innovation and purpose. The ripple effect is already visible. Across Ethiopia and Sudan, local communities have seen greater awareness of peaceful conflict resolution, stronger social cohesion, and the emergence of a new generation of leaders committed to inclusive peacebuilding. By investing in youth and giving them the tools to lead, the EUPE project is not just building capacity, but its nurturing hope and resilience in places where it is most needed.
The impact of these social action projects has been far-reaching. Students, teachers and community members have gained valuable conflict resolution skills, enabling them to mediate disputes and promote peaceful coexistence. Several initiatives have sparked discussions on GBV, leading to community-wide commitments to address harmful practices. Cultural initiatives, including rap music and community discussions, have fostered social cohesion and reconciliation. Across all projects, peacebuilding has extended beyond universities, strengthening local communities and empowering the next generation of changemakers. By equipping young people with the skills and resources to resolve conflicts constructively, the EUPE programme has demonstrated the power of education as a catalyst for social change. As these students continue advocating for peace, they inspire future generations to embrace dialogue, understanding and cooperation – all essential ingredients for a more harmonious future.