The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers

What The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers does

The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (Peacemakers Network) is a Helsinki-based global peacebuilding consortium founded in 2013 in response to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's 2012 report on mediation. It operates as a hosted entity under Finn Church Aid (FCA), which serves as the legal vehicle and administrative host. The Network's substantive mission is to bridge grassroots religious and traditional peacemakers — including tradition and faith-oriented insider mediators (TFIMs), women faith-based mediators (WFBMs), and youth mediators — with international policy and mediation actors at the UN, African Union, OIC, and EU levels. It does so through four modalities: convening (Working Groups, Annual Advisory Group Meeting, regional and thematic gatherings), training (multi-track courses including a UN Specialized Religion and Mediation Course, WFBM Course, and Youth, Religion, and Mediation Course), research (publications on TFIMs, WFBMs, and regional peacebuilding contexts), and consortium-based regional programming (EU-funded projects such as PAVE, SOAR, ALLY, AHA!, JISRA, CSP, ID-PEACE, TIPS, plus Network of Faith-Based Mediators with Berghof Foundation). Governance sits with a Steering Group comprising UN entities (Mediation Support Unit, UNAOC, UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA, Office for Genocide Prevention), Religions for Peace, OIC, KAICIID (since 2015), and the Sultanate of Oman's Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (since 2020), alongside core donors.

The Network has no commercial revenue model: there are no membership or service fees, and funding flows from bilateral and multilateral donors — primarily the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, the European Union, KAICIID, the Sultanate of Oman, the Dutch Government, and the German Federal Foreign Office — channeled through FCA, supplemented by significant in-kind contributions from members (hosting, venues, expertise, staff time). Operations run through a small secretariat of 10+ staff distributed across Helsinki, Washington DC, New York, Bangkok, Nairobi, and Kathmandu, supported by 115+ member organizations globally. The 2020-2025 Strategy frames concentration areas including inclusivity (women, youth, disability), preventing violent extremism, protecting places of worship, and freedom of religion or belief, with the New York Office serving as the dedicated interface to UN-level political and security actors.

The 2025-2026 launch cadence — the Muscat Plan of Action with the UN Secretary-General, the Disability-Inclusive Peacebuilding Toolkit, the TFIMs in Africa research report launched at the African Union, and the Asia 2025 Small Grants Program — signals continued programmatic broadening from mediation training into atrocity prevention, disability inclusion, and direct local grant-making, while retaining the consortium-and-Steering-Group governance model that anchors its institutional legitimacy.

Name

The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers

Legal name

Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers

Website

https://peacemakersnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers is a Helsinki-based global peacebuilding consortium founded in 2013, hosted by Finn Church Aid, that connects 115+ member organizations across grassroots religious and traditional peacemakers and international policy actors through training, research, and multi-track mediation and inclusion programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations (BPAGAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations (BPAGAJAK), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Peace mediation services
• Interfaith dialogue
• Religious peacemaking
• Conflict transformation training
• Peacebuilding consortium

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from bilateral government sources including Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.
2. INGO Support: Financial support from hosted organization Finn Church Aid (FCA) and KAICIID Dialogue Centre. FCA serves as the legal entity through which funds are channeled.
3. Project-Based Consortium Funding: Funding through EU-funded projects including PAVE, SOAR, ALLY, AHA!, and other regional programs implemented through consortium partnerships with member organizations.
4. In-Kind Contributions: Significant support through in-kind contributions from Network members and external funders including office hosting, meeting venues, expertise, and staff time.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers is a global peacebuilding consortium of 115+ member organizations that facilitates connections between grassroots religious and traditional peacemakers and international policy actors. It delivers its mission through coordinated Working Groups, multi-track training programs for mediators and UN practitioners, regionally-focused consortium projects (e.g., PAVE, SOAR, ALLY, AHA!, CSP, JISRA), research publications on faith-oriented insider mediation, and direct engagement at the UN via its New York Office. Funding is grant-based from government and intergovernmental sources, with the Secretariat hosted by Finn Church Aid.

Product overview

The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers is a global peacebuilding consortium structure, not a technology product company. It operates as a network of over 115 member organizations facilitating connections between grassroots peacemakers and global players. The organization delivers its mission through four primary modalities: Networking (working groups and member coordination), Advocacy (influencing global norms and policies), Research and Analysis (evidence-based publications on religious/traditional peacemaking), and Training/Capacity-Building (context-sensitive programs for policymakers and practitioners). The core offerings include regional programming (PAVE, SOAR, ALLY, AHA!, CSP, JISRA, ID-PEACE, TIPS in various regions), thematic working groups (Inclusivity Community of Practice, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe & MENA), training programs (Religion and Mediation Course, Women Faith-Based Mediators Course, Youth Religion and Mediation Course, UN Specialized Course), peace mediation support services (TFIMs, WFBMs, YFBMs), and research publications. The Secretariat coordinates these activities with Network members and supporters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PAVE - Preventing and Addressing Violent Extremism EU-funded regional program examining root causes and driving factors of radicalization in the Western Balkans and MENA region through participatory and inter-regional approaches; for policymakers, practitioners, and local communities engaged in preventing violent extremism.
• SOAR - Protecting Places of Worship EU-funded regional program contributing to the protection and safeguarding of at-risk religious sites and communities within the European Union; for religious communities, policymakers, and security actors.
• ALLY - Amplifying Leadership of Local Youth EU-funded youth-sensitive initiative amplifying youth voices and actors in addressing factors of violence and preventing violent extremism in South Asia (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan); for young peacebuilders, policymakers, and civil society.
• AHA! - Awareness with Human Action EU-funded project contributing to COVID-19 pandemic response by preventing conflict and building social cohesion in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and broader South Asia; for peacebuilding practitioners and local communities.
• Community Social Cohesion Project (CSP) EU-funded 18-month project in Mozambique strengthening social cohesion in Cabo Delgado and Niassa through technical expertise and capacity support on conflict prevention, interfaith dialogue, and peacebuilding; for local communities, faith-based actors, and policymakers.
• JISRA - Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action Dutch Government-funded consortium initiative promoting Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) across Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Mali, Nigeria, Iraq, and Indonesia; for religious actors, civil society, and human rights defenders.
• ID-PEACE - Interreligious Dialogue for Peace in Mozambique Consortium partnership with MASC Foundation implementing interreligious dialogue for peace and social cohesion to reduce inter- and intra-communal tensions in Mozambique; for religious communities, civil society, and local authorities.
• TIPS - Towards an Inclusive and Peaceful Society in Mozambique EU-funded project contributing to conflict prevention, crisis preparedness, and peacebuilding through inclusive natural resource governance in Mozambique; for communities affected by resource-based conflict and local authorities.
• Peacemaking in Central African Republic Project supporting Muslim and Christian communities in the Central African Republic, implemented with Finn Church Aid CAR Country Office and KAICIID Dialogue Center; for religious communities and interfaith platforms in CAR.
• Religion and Mediation Course (General Track) Foundational and advanced competencies course for mediators, peace practitioners, and policymakers on engaging religion, tradition, and worldview diversity in mediation processes.
• UN Specialized Religion and Mediation Course Tailored course strengthening UN mediators and practitioners from UNDPA and DPKO to integrate religion and mediation within UN peace efforts through operationally relevant tools and real-world case studies.
• Women Faith-Based Mediators Course Course responding to gaps identified in a 2023 WFBM study, centering on strengthening leadership, visibility, and effectiveness of women and young women mediators working in faith-based contexts.
• Youth, Religion, and Mediation Course Course equipping young peacebuilders aged 18-35 working with faith-based institutions or drawing on faith-inspired values to prevent and mitigate violence with analytical tools and practical mediation skills.
• Tradition and Faith-Oriented Insider Mediators (TFIMs) Support Support service for insider mediators who draw on concepts, values, and practices from tradition and faith as inspiration, motivation, guidance, and methodological support for peace mediation efforts; for religious leaders and traditional peacemakers engaged in Track II mediation.
• Women Faith-Based Mediators Support Support for women faith-based mediators and negotiators working on various tracks for ceasing violence and finding agreements, whose tools are inspired by faith or work within faith-based structures; for women religious leaders and faith-based negotiators.
• Youth Faith-Based Mediators Support Support for young mediators aged 18-35 working to prevent and mitigate violence through faith-inspired values and tools or working with faith-based institutions and initiatives; for young faith-inspired peacebuilders.
• Network of Faith-Based Mediators (NFM) Capacity-building initiative for faith-based mediators led by the Peacemakers Network and Berghof Foundation, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office; facilitates exchange of experiences and concrete mediation support activities for faith-based mediators.
• Religious Peacebuilding Action Guides USIP series of action guides developed in collaboration with the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers and Salam Institute for Peace and Justice, covering religion and conflict analysis, mediation, and reconciliation; for practitioners and policymakers.
• Disability-Inclusive Peacebuilding Toolkit and Framing Guide Global toolkit and framing guide on disability-inclusive peacebuilding developed in partnership with Finn Church Aid and Abilis Foundation, providing practical guidance for peacebuilding actors to operationalize disability inclusion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 115+ organizations in network spanning multiple regions globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Finn Church AidcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2013Host organization for the Network Secretariat. FCA provides the legal entity, financial accountability, and administrative support. Operating according to principles of good governance, accounting practices, and responsible resource use.
• United Nations Mediation Support UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding co-initiator of the Network. Part of the original Steering Group established to provide strategic guidance. Supports the Network's mandate to advance the role of religious and traditional peacemakers.
• United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding co-initiator and Steering Group member. Collaborated on Muscat Plan of Action launch and initiatives to counter hate speech.
• United Nations WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Group member contributing to gender equality and women's meaningful participation in peace processes.
• Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding co-initiator and Steering Group member providing strategic guidance and engagement with Islamic networks.
• Religions for PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding co-initiator and Steering Group member. World council of religious leaders working for peace.
• KAICIID Dialogue CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined Steering Group in 2015. Provides funding and strategic guidance. International Centre for Dialogue and Peacebuilding.
• United Nations Development Program (UNDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Group member contributing to development and peacebuilding initiatives.
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Group member supporting population and development dimensions of peace and security.
• United Nations Office for Genocide PreventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Group member providing expertise on atrocity prevention and protection of civilians.
• Berghof FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint implementation of Network of Faith-Based Mediators project. Co-developed research on Women Faith-Based Mediators. Supported by German Federal Foreign Office.
• Aga Khan FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in Community Social Cohesion Project (CSP) in Mozambique together with Associação Progresso.
• African Union CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Group member. TFIM research launched at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. Engages with AU Panel of the Wise and FemWise-Africa.
• US Institute of Peace (USIP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on mental health support for religious actors and mental health professionals. Joint development of Religious Peacebuilding Action Guides.
• MASC FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in Interreligious Dialogue for Peace and Social Cohesion (ID-PEACE) project in Mozambique.
• Abilis FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on disability-inclusive peacebuilding. Jointly convened disability inclusion event in Helsinki with global toolkit launch.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KAICIID Dialogue Centre: International intergovernmental center for interreligious and intercultural dialogue, currently a Steering Group member and co-funder of the Network. Directly comparable as it bridges religious actors with policymakers on peace and coexistence.
• Search for Common Ground: Large international conflict-resolution NGO with similar global programming footprint and consortium-based project delivery across Africa, Asia, and MENA. Comparable in target population (local peace actors) and donor base (EU, European governments).
• Interpeace: International peacebuilding organization focused on inclusive, locally-led peace processes with similar UN/Multilateral donor base. Comparable as a convener that builds national peacebuilding capacities across multiple conflict-affected regions.
• Conciliation Resources: UK-based peacebuilding NGO working on insider mediation, inclusive peace processes, and faith engagement. Comparable programming portfolio and a similar niche focus on multi-track diplomacy connecting grassroots and policy actors.
• Religions for Peace: Global multi-religious coalition with a Steering Group role in the Peacemakers Network. Comparable as it convenes religious leaders for peacebuilding across faith traditions with a similar interfaith, UN-interface operating model.
• Berghof Foundation: German-based peacebuilding organization that co-leads the Network of Faith-Based Mediators with the Peacemakers Network. Highly comparable mission around insider mediation and conflict transformation, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Broad incumbents

• Finn Church Aid: Host organization for the Peacemakers Network Secretariat and the legal/fiscal conduit for all funding. Comparable as a faith-rooted Finnish INGO implementing peace and humanitarian programming globally, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• International Crisis Group: Global conflict-prevention think tank producing field-based analysis and policy recommendations. Comparable as a multilateral-engaged organization working on conflict and mediation, though its analytical orientation differs from the Network's consortium-programming model.
• US Institute of Peace (USIP): U.S. federal institution that co-developed the Religious Peacebuilding Action Guides with the Network. Comparable mission around religion-and-peace research and training, but operates with a much larger institutional mandate and budget.

Emerging players

• Peace Direct: UK-based organization focused on funding and amplifying local peacebuilders, with adjacent interest in insider mediation and localization. Comparable in mission to empower grassroots peace actors but smaller in scale and program scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/peacemakersnetw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkB5ViXauZj_ifBw1PMAyQQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/peacemakersnetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/network-for-religious-and-traditional-peacemakers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers