Welcome
to the
Creating
Safer Space
research network.

We strengthen civilian capacities for
nonviolent (self-)protection in
conflict-affected areas.

Creating Safer Space is an international research and impact collaboration, which aims to understand and support unarmed civilian protection and self-protection amidst violent conflict. We support research that explores how violence against civilians can be deterred or prevented by civilians without the use or threat of force.

Our aim is to strengthen civilian capacities for protection and to support local efforts to transform conflict nonviolently as a basis for lasting, sustainable peace with social justice. The network is funded by the UKRI AHRC Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Collective Programme (Network Plus).

9 April 2026

New Book: Unarmed Civilian Protection in Palestine

Marwan Darweish, Mahmoud Soliman, and Andrew Rigby have published a new book titled “Unarmed Civilian...

7 April 2026

Documentary series: The Nasa Indigenous People of Colombia in the Midst of Violence

The project team of “Ritualising Protection” has released its three-part documentary series “The Nasa Indigenous People...

9 March 2026

IPI Issue Brief on Local Civilians’ Role in the Protection of Civilians: Expanding UN-Led Protection through Community-Led Approaches

Local civilians are often the first actors to respond to threats against civilians in conflict-affected...

30 March 2026

Partnership for Peace Education in Indonesia

Creating Safer Space has supported a new Partnership for Peace Education and Research between Nonviolent...

Dr. Delsy Ronnie and Prof. Dr. Ir. Marwan. Photo: KabarAktual.id
7 March 2025

CSS project at the Assembly of the Social Process of Guarantees in Antioquia, 2025

The Social Process of Guarantees (Proceso Social de Garantías – PSG) Annual Assembly 2025 was...

5 March 2025

Workshop on Nonviolent Self-Protection in Latin America at Build Peace 2025 Conference

In November 2025, MasterPeace Cali participated in the Build Peace 2025 Conference in Barcelona, organised...

3 March 2026

Book: Human Rights Advocacy against Police Brutality in Kenya

Martha Okumu and Elias Opongo have published a new book titled “Human Rights Advocacy against...

5 January 2026

Vienna Dialogues: Coffee and IR podcast episode on Creating Safer Space research

The podcast “Vienna Dialogues: Coffee and IR” has published a new podcast episode about the...

{ Herding Cattle, Kenya. By Davida3 }
who are we