Our History & Commitment
Since its creation in Goma, JAMAA Grands Lacs has evolved from a local initiative into an impactful regional organization dedicated to peacebuilding, youth and women leadership, and civic innovation.
Timeline
Anchoring in Goma and Regional Vision
In response to security challenges in eastern DRC, a collective of young leaders and civil society actors founded JAMAA Grands Lacs in Goma with a clear ambition: contribute to sustainable peace built on community engagement and regional cooperation.
First Regional Dialogues
JAMAA develops dialogue and reconciliation frameworks among actors from the DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi to prevent tensions, build trust, and promote peaceful coexistence in cross-border communities.
Structuring & Community Engagement
The organization consolidates its efforts supporting youth and women participation in local peace processes. Peace hubs are established in universities and communities, while young mediators are trained to contribute to early warning, dialogue, and conflict prevention.
Establishment of the Regional Peace Library (Physical & Virtual)
Providing young people, women peacebuilders, and climate activists in the Great Lakes region with a resource space for knowledge exchange and networking, strengthening their capacity, impact, efficiency, and field coordination.
Launch of the Citizen University Program in DRC
JAMAA launches the Citizen University in DRC, a permanent learning and innovation platform for youth and civil society actors. The program annually builds skills in civic leadership, democracy, community mobilization, conflict transformation, and climate action, boasting over 1,090 alumni to date.
Assistance and Recovery for Conflict-Affected Populations
Facing heightened displacement in eastern DRC, JAMAA Grands Lacs strengthens its interventions for affected communities, focusing on children, women, and young female survivors of sexual violence. The organization offers psychosocial, legal, and socio-economic support, aiding over 3,440 vulnerable families in their recovery.
Launch of Citizen Voice Lab
JAMAA reaches a new milestone with the launch of Citizen Voice Lab, a Civic Tech initiative utilizing digital tools to enhance citizen participation, early warning systems, dialogue between citizens and decision-makers, and public policy tracking.
Winner of the Youth in Action Peace Award
JAMAA Grands Lacs receives the Youth in Action Peace Award 2025, honoring a decade of commitment to the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda in the Great Lakes region, led by the Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, in collaboration with UNFPA, UNDP, and UNICEF.
A New Generation of Partnerships and Innovations
JAMAA enters a new phase of growth: expanding its regional footprint, deepening partnerships with international institutions, foundations, civil society organizations, and local communities, and scaling its solutions in peacebuilding, leadership, civic engagement, and community recovery.
Together, let us continue building the future
Every chapter of our story is built on the trust of local communities, the dedication of our teams, and the support of our institutional partners.