The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has invited young people across the Niger Delta to apply for the 2026 Niger Delta Peace Champions programme, an initiative designed to empower youth to promote peace and address conflicts in their communities.
The programme seeks to equip young leaders with practical peacebuilding knowledge, mentorship, and networking opportunities while strengthening community-based solutions to conflict in the region.
According to PIND, the initiative is part of its broader effort to expand a network of trained peace advocates who can contribute to early warning systems and proactive conflict resolution across the Niger Delta.
“Young leaders in the Niger Delta who are passionate about building peace and creating positive change in their communities are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Niger Delta Peace Champions Programme,” the organisation stated.
The Niger Delta has long faced challenges related to violent conflicts, community disputes, and tensions linked to economic and environmental issues. PIND said empowering local youths with the right skills and knowledge can help strengthen community-led responses to such issues.
The organisation explained that the programme will train participants in peacebuilding practices as well as in the use of the Integrated Peace and Development Units’ conflict early warning reporting system.
According to PIND, this system helps identify potential conflict situations early, enabling stakeholders to respond through peace messaging, mediation, dialogue, and consensus building.
“Violent conflict remains a key constraint to peace and development in the Niger Delta. Strengthening peacebuilding knowledge and understanding of early warning systems will enable proactive responses to emerging conflict issues,” the organisation noted.
The 2026 edition of the programme will select 90 youths between the ages of 18 and 35 from across the Niger Delta region.
Selected participants will receive capacity building in peacebuilding as well as training on conflict early warning and early response strategies.
In addition to training, participants will benefit from mentorship designed to strengthen their leadership capacity and support their career development in peacebuilding and community development.
They will also become part of a growing network of young leaders working to promote peace and social development in the Niger Delta and beyond.
PIND also stated that all selected participants will attend a fully funded three-day peacebuilding and Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) training workshop scheduled for April 2026.
The workshop will bring together young leaders from across the region to share ideas, build partnerships, and develop practical strategies for addressing conflicts within their communities.
The organisation noted that applicants must be residents of the Niger Delta, be between 18 and 35 years old, and demonstrate a passion for contributing to sustainable development and peace initiatives within their communities.
Applicants are also expected to have an idea for a peacebuilding intervention that can be implemented in their local community.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official online form forms.gle/xAEXncouQeUD5xoS6.
