Project profile — Peace Links Program - I

• Philippines (100.00%)

• Water And Sanitation: Basic drinking water supply (14031) (10.00%)
• Decentralisation and support to subnational government:
Decentralisation and support to subnational government (15112) (10.00%)
Democratic participation and civil society (15150) (20.00%)
• Conflict Prevention And Resolution, Peace And Security: Civilian peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution (15220) (30.00%)
• Other Social Infrastructure And Services: Social services (incl youth development and women+ children) (16015) (15.00%)
• Agriculture: Agricultural inputs (31150) (15.00%)

• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Gender equality (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)

The Peace Links Program, Canada's support to peace and development in Mindanao, is composed of three components designed to promote sustainable peace and development in Muslim Mindanao. The first component was a Canadian contribution of $1 million to the World Bank-led multi-donor Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF). Other participating donors are: European Union, Australia, USAID, New Zealand and Sweden. The MTF is operational until 2017 and its total budget is USD 23.6 million. The MTF focuses on funding community-driven socio-economic reconstruction and development projects and building the capacity of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the principal development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in project and program management, administrative and financial management, and organizational, institutional and human resource development. At the same time, the MTF systemizes links and coordination with other projects in the conflict areas. The second and third components were part of the Peace Links Program - II. They consisted of a Peace Fund that supported peacebuilding and development initiatives by local civil society groups, and electoral assistance to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and adjoining areas in the May 2007 local elections. Both these components have ended.

N/A

Results achieved as of December 2014 include: (1) 500,000 people (51% women) in 214 conflict-affected communities across 75 municipalities in Mindanao have improved access to basic services and economic opportunities through more than 303 sub-projects in areas such as: infrastructure (agri-machineries, electrification, etc); health centers; skills for employment training; and income-generating activities. (2) The Mindanao Trust Fund has also significantly improved the capacity of 73 officers from the Bangsamoro Development Agency, which is playing a lead role in the transition to the creation of the new Bangsamoro government that, if passed by the Philippine Congress, is expected to replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; (3) increased effectiveness in planning, implementing and monitoring development initiatives that have been selected by the communities based on needs and in an inclusive manner, promoting the full participation and representation of women and various ethnic and religious groups; (4) led the preparation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan that identifies short-term needs in the transition period to a new Bangsamoro government and set out longer-term strategic directions for the development of the new Bangsamoro region. These results have contributed to creating more peaceful cooperation, trust and greater social cohesion among ethnic and religious groups in the communities that have received assistance.

• Proactive disclosure
• Related activities: Peace Links Program - II