Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies

What Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies does

The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) is a non-profit research center established in 2016 as one of the programs of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, headquartered in Doha, Qatar. It conducts in-depth research, builds specialized capacities, and provides policy guidance on conflict resolution, humanitarian response, and peacebuilding, with a focus on the Arab world and the broader Global South. CHS serves policymakers, academics, diplomats, and humanitarian practitioners, and reaches these audiences through research publications, policy briefs, the co-edited Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, the Qatar Mediation Forum, annual conferences, workshops, and public lectures.

CHS operates a portfolio of knowledge products rather than commercial offerings. Core products include the 'Conflict Trends in the Arab World 1946-2019' joint report with PRIO, the Qatar Mediation Forum as a flagship dialogue platform, the Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, and a stream of situation assessments, op-eds, and policy briefs on current regional crises. The center's technology is characterized as a research and policy analysis platform with no proprietary AI or software products; its core capability is qualitative scholarship and convening. The organization distributes content via its website (chs-doha.org), active X/Twitter presence (@onlineCHS), email communications, and in-person events hosted primarily in Doha with select international engagements.

CHS's revenue model is grant-funded. The most recently documented funding stream is a three-year research grant from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), under the QRDI Council, for a flagship Gaza reconstruction study led by Director Dr. Ghassan Elkahlout. The organization is governed as a non-profit under the ACRPS umbrella, with no venture capital or private equity exposure. Ownership and control rest with center leadership (Director Dr. Ghassan Elkahlout, succeeding Founding Director Sultan Barakat who served 2016-2022) and an advisory board structure within ACRPS. Strategic direction is shaped by a broad institutional partnership network of over 20 organizations spanning the UN (UNHCR), European peace institutes (PRIO, FBA, Swisspeace, CMI, HD Centre, European Institute of Peace), academic institutions (Doha Institute, Deakin/CHL, Carter School, Geneva Graduate Institute), and Qatar-based humanitarian actors (Qatar Charity, Qatar Red Crescent, MOFA Qatar).

Name

Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies

Legal name

Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies

Website

https://chs-doha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) is a Doha-based non-profit research center, established in 2016 under the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, conducting policy research on conflict resolution, humanitarian response, and peacebuilding across the Arab world for policymakers, academics, and humanitarian practitioners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conflict Resolution Research

NAICS

International Affairs (92812)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAEAK

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Development & Technical Assistance

Keywords

• Conflict resolution research
• Humanitarian policy analysis
• Peacebuilding studies
• Post-conflict reconstruction
• Mediation forums

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: The Center receives funding through research grants from organizations such as the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), as evidenced by the three-year research project 'Re-thinking the Day After: Post-war Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip' awarded by QNRF under the QRDI Council.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) is a research and policy institution that produces in-depth research, builds specialized capacities, and guides policies aimed at promoting peace and resolving conflicts. It publishes reports, journal articles, policy briefs, and the co-edited Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, and convenes dialogues such as the Qatar Mediation Forum and the annual Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Conference for policymakers, academics, diplomats, and humanitarian practitioners.

Product overview

The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies operates as a research and policy institution offering a portfolio of knowledge products including research publications, insights/op-eds, events/conferences, and news. The core offerings include in-depth research reports on conflict and humanitarian issues, the Qatar Mediation Forum as a flagship dialogue platform, the Journal of Peacebuilding & Development as an academic publication, and various analytical insights on current crises. These products collectively support the Center's mission of producing in-depth research, building specialized capacities, and guiding policies aimed at promoting peace and resolving conflicts through diverse and multi-track dialogues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Publications In-depth research reports and academic publications covering conflict resolution, humanitarian response, post-conflict reconstruction, and peacebuilding in the Arab world and Global South.
• Qatar Mediation Forum A prominent global platform for mediation and peace processes, bringing together policymakers and experts to advance policy findings on conflict resolution.
• Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Conference Annual flagship academic and policy conference convening researchers, policymakers, and humanitarian practitioners on conflict and humanitarian issues.
• Journal of Peacebuilding & Development Peer-reviewed academic journal published by CHS in partnership, covering scholarship on peacebuilding and development in conflict-affected societies.
• Conflict Trends in the Arab World Report Major analytical report examining conflict trends in the Arab world from 1946 to 2019, published in collaboration with Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
• Key Messages (Policy Briefs) Concise policy briefs and key message documents synthesizing CHS perspectives on critical humanitarian and conflict issues.
• Insights Op-eds, analyses, and commentary on current events and policy issues related to conflict and humanitarian crises.

Quantifiable outcome

• Published major joint report with PRIO analyzing conflict trends in the Arab world from 1946-2019
• +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

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Konrad Adenauer StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2023CHS, in partnership with KAS, co-organized a workshop on 'Comparing Gulf and European Union Donors in Yemen' in March 2023. KAS is a political foundation active throughout Germany and abroad.
• The Centre for Humanitarian LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2023A four-year MoU was signed on 30 January 2023 between CHS and CHL (hosted at Deakin University). The agreement commits to enhance collaboration and promote policy development, research, and innovation for the humanitarian sector through joint research grant applications, co-authored publications, and visiting research scholar exchanges.
• Peace Research Institute OslocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2021CHS and PRIO published a joint report on 'Conflict Trends in the Arab World 1946-2019' released in August 2021. PRIO is a private research institution in peace and conflict studies based in Oslo, Norway with around 100 employees.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs - QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar collaborates with CHS on diplomatic initiatives and peacebuilding efforts, including co-organizing the Doha Workshop on Supporting National Prevention Efforts in January 2025.
• Diplomatic InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diplomatic Institute collaborates with numerous academic, scientific, and research institutions both within Qatar and abroad to develop Qatar's diplomatic human resources.
• Doha Institute for Graduate StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) was founded in Qatar in 2015 as a Doha-based independent institution of higher education. CHS organizes joint seminars and events with DI's programs.
• Qatar CharitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQatar Charity has grown to become one of the largest humanitarian and development organizations in the world, providing life-saving assistance to those hit by conflicts, persecution, and natural disasters.
• Regulatory Authority for Charitable ActivitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRACA is an independent governmental body that develops, promotes, and regulates charitable and humanitarian activities in Qatar.
• Qatar Red Crescent SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQRCS works to help and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination. CHS co-organizes symposia and events with QRCS on humanitarian topics.
• ICJPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ICJP is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
• NOHAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOHA is an international association of universities that aims to enhance professionalism in humanitarian action through education & training, research & publications and projects.
• Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict ResolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Carter School is a community with a fundamental commitment to building peace through development of cutting-edge theory, research, education, and practical work.
• CMI (Chr. Michelsen Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMI is an independent development research institute in Norway that addresses issues shaping global developments and generates knowledge to fight poverty and advance human rights.
• European Institute of PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Institute of Peace provides practical experience, technical expertise, creative ideas and policy advice on conflict prevention and resolution.
• The Centre of Competence on Humanitarian NegotiationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CCHN provides frontline humanitarian staff with learning and training opportunities to develop their negotiation skills and share practices with a global community.
• The Folke Bernadotte AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FBA is the Swedish government agency for peace, security and development that supports international peace operations and conducts training, research and method development.
• NorefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOREF supports conflict parties in preventing, mitigating and resolving conflict through informal diplomacy and support to Norwegian and international peace efforts.
• Geneva CallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva Call is one of the world's leading organizations in the field of humanitarian engagement with AGDAs, active in 16 contexts worldwide.
• Centre for Humanitarian DialoguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHD is a Swiss-based non-profit organisation founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality and independence, working on conflict resolution and humanitarian diplomacy.
• Swiss PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwisspeace is a practice and research institute dedicated to advancing effective peacebuilding. Partnerships with local and international actors are at the core of their work.
• UNHCR, The UN Refugee AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. CHS cooperates with UNHCR on roundtable discussions on refugee crises.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO): Independent peace and conflict research institute that is CHS's joint publication partner on the 'Conflict Trends in the Arab World' report. Operates in the same niche (academic and policy research on armed conflict) with comparable methodology.
• European Institute of Peace: Provides practical experience and policy advice on conflict prevention and resolution, and is a CHS core partner. Operates in the same conflict resolution and mediation policy niche as CHS.
• Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI): Independent development research institute in Norway addressing global development, poverty, and human rights, and a CHS core partner. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary research organization producing policy-relevant scholarship.
• Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA): Swedish government agency for peace, security, and development that supports international peace operations, training, and method development. CHS core partner with comparable mission in conflict prevention and capacity building.
• Geneva Call: Non-profit specializing in humanitarian engagement with armed non-state actors, and a CHS partner. Comparable in engaging conflict-affected contexts and producing applied policy outputs.
• Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD): Swiss-based non-profit working on conflict resolution and humanitarian diplomacy, and a CHS core partner. Closely comparable in mandate to mediate and convene around armed conflicts.
• Swiss Peace: Practice and research institute dedicated to effective peacebuilding and a CHS core partner. Conducts applied research, training, and dialogue on conflict transformation with comparable thematic scope.
• Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution: Academic and applied peace and conflict resolution school affiliated with George Mason University, and a CHS partner. Overlaps directly on peacebuilding research, education, and practical work.
• Centre for Humanitarian Leadership (Deakin University): Hosts research, training, and innovation for the humanitarian sector, and signed a four-year MoU with CHS in 2023. Highly comparable as a research and policy hub for humanitarian action.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution Center for Middle East Policy: Major US think tank where CHS founder Sultan Barakat was previously a Senior Fellow. Operates in the same conflict and policy space at much greater scale and is a relevant incumbent peer for talent and audience overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/onlineCHS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/onlinechs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies