Call For Applications: Media Fellowship
Search for Common Ground, Nigeria

Background
To contribute to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between Farmer and Herder communities in Adamawa state, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Search for Common Ground (Search) and Mercy Corps, with funding from the European Union, are implementing a project titled COMITAS (Contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa State).The consortium has designed a comprehensive and integrated approach that builds on the comparative strengths of each organisation. IOM will build on its data collection experiences in northeast Nigeria and globally to implement a transhumance tracking tool to strengthen early warning systems. IOM will also build on its extensive policy engagements with the government of Nigeria, most notably with regards to the Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration, and Reconciliation programme and action plan. Search will build on its extensive work on early warning and response, trust-building through dialogue, and promoting positive perceptions through reliable information and peace messaging. Mercy Corps will capitalize on its trusted relationships with local stakeholders across Nigeria’s Middle Belt to continue to empower communities to prevent and respond to violence by strengthening collaboration on natural resource management.
Search’s Peace Architecture model, a successful model across its programming in Nigeria, Niger, and Mali, establishes interconnected, multi-stakeholder, and community-inclusive dialogue-to-action platforms. In Nigeria, these platforms operate at three levels of engagement: the community, local government area, and state levels. Each platform comprises relevant stakeholders within each level of engagement, where they convene to discuss and jointly address peace and security challenges. Since the platforms are established at the community, local government, and state levels, they are able to both address and respond to needs within each level, as well as coordinate among and between each other to share information and develop holistic responses to peace and security challenges.These platforms are designed to support trust-building, collective action, and mutual accountability among diverse stakeholders for lasting change. Search regularly trains members of these platforms on the Common Ground Approach, conflict mediation, transformative dialogue, and conflict prevention and other capacities. These platforms are effective in addressing transhumance-related conflicts, where solutions require the participation of diverse stakeholders.
Youth Fellowship Objective
Specific Objective: Improved intra and inter-communal perceptions
The media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and can therefore be regarded as an influential factor in shaping Intra and inter-communal perceptions. However, reports on the conflict between farmer and herder communities are often subjective and lack the appropriate level of analysis. Furthermore, fake news has been on the rise, often fuelling divisive narratives. In terms of COVID-19, this may lead to rumours or false accusations about the transmission of the virus. Therefore, this project will aim to improve Intra and inter-communal perception through unbiased reporting and peace messaging, including some basic messages about COVID-19 in case the need arises.
Result: Improved access to reliable public information
Activity: Support youth leaders in promoting peace through social media and film
Fake news is particularly prominent on social media platforms and could play a detrimental role in the escalation of violence. To counter divisive narratives on social media, Search will identify youth leaders with a significant presence on social media and possess some level of influence in his/her community for a fellowship programme that will help create a digital peace promoter media hub. The selected youth leaders will be trained on transformative leadership, constructive social media presence, and non-violent communication. Following the training, which will be implemented in line with COVID-19 protocols, they will be provided with a monthly stipend and coaching to support the production of peace-promoting content on social media or other media outlets, including radio and television. With regards to the latter, Search will contract a film company to work with all youth leaders on a short film or documentary that integrates peaceful narratives and diverse voices promoting unity between farmer and herder communities. While the content and messaging of the product will be determined by the f