Helpdesk

Question
Reintegration Best Practice: Please provide authoritative resources on best practice / lessons learned from reintegration programmes (resources focusing on countries in-conflict other than Afghanistan would be particularly useful).

Helpdesk response
Key findings: The following ‘lessons learned’ in relation to reintegration are repeated across the literature:

• Reintegration is a long process and programmes must be part of a wider security sector reform strategy
• Reintegration should be nationally led and take a participatory approach, including various stakeholders.
• Planning for reintegration should begin early.
• Clear selection criteria should be established from the outset.
• Reintegration programmes should have a clear end date and move quickly into broader development programmes that incorporate the needs of ex-combatants.
• Programmes should not solely benefit ex-combatants to reduce the likelihood of resentment in the community.
• Programmes should be tailored to the local context.
• Reintegration is most likely to be successful if carried out in a context of strong political will and local community level support.
• Reintegration programmes must be well resourced.
• Vocational training has been shown to have limited success. Education and training should always be matched to the market dynamics of the community to increase chances of long-term employment. Apprenticeships have shown promise.
• Ex-combatants should not be treated as a homogenous group. In particular, the needs of women and children must be taken into account.
• Reintegration should take a gender-sensitive approach where the needs and concerns of women are deliberately canvassed and included.
• Reintegration of children is a complex process that should be dealt with separately from adult DDR.

Full response: http://www.gsdrc.org/docs/open/HD660.pdf