News
Launch of UCP Academy: A new online learning platform on unarmed protection
On the occasion of Geneva Peace Week 2025, Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) officially launched UCP Academy, an...
Re-launch of the UCP Knowledge Database
The former UCP Research Database is now the UCP Knowledge Database! Developed by Creating Safer Space...
Youndé practitioners workshop on community-led UCP in Cameroon
The Cameroon team organised a practitioners workshop in Yaoundé on 19 March 2025, entitled ‘Strengthening...
New Policy Briefs on Violence and Protection in Rakhine State, Myanmar
The project team of “Exploring Community Perceptions and Coping Strategies on Violence in Rakhine State,...
New journal article “Art That Protects”
Beatriz Arias López and Laura Jiménez Ospina, of the project “Art That Protects“, have published...
CSS researchers in podcast on “Civilian agency, armed groups and international law”
Several Creating Safer Space project researchers contributed to the series “Civilian agency, armed groups and...
Shadow to Strength: New documentary, panel discussion, and art clips
In December 2024, the project “Nonviolent Artivism Against Police Brutality in Kenya” held a powerful...
New documentary mini-series “Shared knowledge on community self-protection in Colombia”
The documentary mini-series “Shared Knowledge on Community Self-Protection” sought to promote knowledge exchange between representatives...
New brochure and videos on participatory action research (PAR) in Colombia
The team of the project “Community strategies for Unarmed Civilian Protection in South-West Colombia: local...
New project report on civilian protection in Uasin Gishu, Kenya
Team members Clinton Gwako and Selline Korir of the project Strengthening Local Capacities for Unarmed...
New article on protective artistic networks in Medellin, Colombia
Team members of the project Art that Protects, phase 2: Networks as strategies for self-protection...
New article on South Sudan in Peacebuilding journal
The team of the project “Visualising early warning and preparedness in civilian protection“, Chas Morrisson,...
New article on Papua in Journal of Peacebuilding & Development
The Creating Safer Space project “Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua” has published...
New publication on UCP in Kenya
The Creating Safer Space project “Using multimedia approaches to increase visibility of and preference for...
Creating Safer Space at UN Protection of Civilians week 2025
On 19 May 2025, Creating Safer Space co-investigator Nerve Macaspac participated in an event on...
New podcast series on civilian protection in Papua
The Creating Safer Space project “Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua: Exploring Local Infrastructures...
Leader of Welsh Government Visits Creating Safer Space Exhibition
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition was on show at the Temple of Peace and Health...
New Policy Brief on Spontaneous UCP in Colombia, Myanmar and South Sudan
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Understanding Community-level Spontaneous Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP): A Comparative Study...
New Article in Journal of Global Security Studies
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Exploring Community Perceptions and Coping Strategies on Violence in Rakhine...
New Film on the Potential of Local Research Seedbeds in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Community strategies for Unarmed Civilian Protection in South-West Colombia: local...
New Policy Brief on Grassroots Protection and Peacebuilding Agents in Papua
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua: Exploring Local...
New Working Paper on UCP/A and Decolonization in South Sudan, Burundi and Colombia
A new Creating Safer Space Working Paper has been published, titled Community self-protection and Unarmed...
New Working Paper on Protection Norms in Myanmar
A new Creating Safer Space Working Paper has been published, titled The Diffusion of Protection...
New Creating Safer Space Brochure
The Creating Safer Space network has published a new brochure. The brochure provides information about...
New factsheet on UCP in Cameroon
March 2025 Factsheet by the Creating Safer Space project “Exploring unarmed civilian self-protection in Cameroon’s...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition Visited Brussels
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition was on show at Quaker House Brussels from 4-7 February...
New Report on Practices of Protection and Resilience among Myanmar scholars-in-exile in Thailand
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Scholars at Risk: Understanding vulnerability and violence faced by Myanmar...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Cardiff
Click here for Welsh medium version. The Creating Safer Space Exhibition will be on show...
Policy Brief on Spontaneous UCP in South Sudan
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Understanding Community-level Spontaneous Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP): A Comparative Study...
Creating Safer Space: A Celebration!
Click this link for Spanish The Creating Safer Space network has brought together people from...
Policy Event in Brussels: Civilians and Nonviolence in Crisis Preparedness and Management
The role of local communities in addressing violent conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. Tuesday 4 February...
Brown Bag Lunch in Brussels: Protecting Human Rights Defenders
Learning from South Sudan Date: Thursday 6 February 2025Time: 12:30 – 14:00Location: Quaker House, Square...
Brown Bag Lunch in Brussels: Protective Accompaniment and Community-led UCP in Colombia
Wednesday 5 February 2025, 12:30-1:30pmQuaker House, Square Ambiorix 50, 1000 Brussels Peace Brigades International (PBI),...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Brussels
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition will be on show at Quaker House Brussels from 4-7...
Practitioners’ Guide for UCP in Cameroon
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Exploring unarmed civilian self-protection in Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict’ has published...
Open Lecture at Tallinn University
Prof. Berit Bliesemann de Guevara, Creating Safer Space Principal Investigator, is sharing insights from our...
New publication on Frontier Genocide in Palestine
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Safety and dignity: Enhancing unarmed civilian protection amongst Palestinian communities...
New publication on UCP in Southern Thailand
The Creating Safer Space project ‘UCP in Southern Thailand: Developing civilian protection guidelines for violence-prone...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Leeds, UK
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition visited Leeds Beckett University from 4 – 8 November 2024....
New films and podcasts from Art That Protects project
The Creating Safer Space project Art that Protects: Networks as strategies for self-protection in the...
Photo Embroidery Exhibition: Let the Rivers Be for Life!
A Spanish translation is available here The exhibition “Let the Rivers Be for Life! Community...
New Creating Safer Space Working Paper on Colombia
The Creating Safer Space network has published a new working paper, ‘Intersectionality, Rights Violations, and...
Creating Safer Space Research Café: UCP and Abolition
At the next Creating Safer Space Research Café, we will discuss the idea of abolition,...
Creating Safer Space project trains military officers in Indonesia
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua:Exploring Local Infrastructures...
New Policy Brief on UCP in Myanmar
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Understanding Community-level Spontaneous Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP): A Comparative Study...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Brazil
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition was hosted by the Institute of International Relations at the...
New journal article on artistic-cultural organisations in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Art that Protects: Networks as strategies for self-protection in the...
UCP/A Community of Practice Consultation with Creating Safer Space
The UCP/A Community of Practice is holding an online consultation with Creating Safer Space. In...
New publication on UCP in Colombia
Creating Safer Space Co-Investigator Beatriz Elena Arias-López and Research Assistant Laura Jiménez-Ospina will be publishing...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Brazil
The Creating Safer Space exhibition will be travelling to Brazil in August. It will be...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition was on show at the Carlos Gaviria Díaz Library of...
“Weaponising Sheep”: New article about Israeli Settler Colonialism in Palestine
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Safety and dignity: Enhancing unarmed civilian protection amongst Palestinian communities...
Protection of Civilians Week in New York
The Creating Safer Space network had the pleasure of co-organising a Protection of Civilians (POC)...
Regional Workshop for Latin America
What do women leaders working to protect their communities from violence in South Sudan and...
New Song/Poem about Policy Brutality in Kenya
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Nonviolent Artivism Against Police Brutality in Kenya’ has produced a...
Our Exhibition 360° is Now Online
The Creating Safer Space exhibition is now available online! The travelling exhibition has previously been...
Watch Creating Safer Space Films Online
We have a new Films Online section on our website, with films produced by Creating...
New film from UCP project in Southern Thailand
The Creating Safer Space project ‘UCP in Southern Thailand: Developing civilian protection guidelines for violence-prone...
New Working Paper on UCP in Cameroon
The Creating Safer Space network has published a new working paper, “Exploring Unarmed Civilian Self-Protection...
Creating Safer Space at the United Nations in New York
The Creating Safer Space exhibition was on display inside the United Nations Headquarters in New...
Creating Safer Space in Washington D.C.
Prof. Rachel Julian and Prof. Berit Bliesemann de Guevara travelled to Washington, DC, from 5-9...
‘Spaces of Peace’ Event in New York
“Spaces of Peace: A Gathering of a Community of Practice” was held on 10 May...
Colombia project publishes curriculum on research seedbeds
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Community strategies for Unarmed Civilian Protection in South-West Colombia: local...
Interview about UCP in Papua on Sagoe TV Podcast
Arfiansyah, the Co-Investigator of the Creating Safer Space project ‘Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict...
Protection of Civilians (POC) Week Side Event
It is with great pleasure that CIVIC, Creating Safer Space, Global Protection Cluster (GPC)/UNHCR, HPG/ODI,...
Creating Safer Space Policy Briefs for the UN
The Creating Safer Space network has published a series of policy briefs about our research...
Creating Safer Space at the United Nations
The Creating Safer Space exhibition will soon be on display inside the United Nations Headquarters...
New publications on UCP
Prof. Rachel Julian, Creating Safer Space Co-Investigator, has published an article in the academic journal...
Policy Brief on UCP in Cameroon
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Exploring unarmed civilian self-protection in Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict’ has published...
UCP/A Community of Practice
The Creating Safer Space network is excited to be part of the UCP/A Community of...
Creating Safer Space at the WOW Film Festival
The Creating Safer Space network has shown a series of films as part of the...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Wales
The Creating Safer Space Exhibition was on display in Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales from...
Booklet with poetry and drawings from UCP project in Cameroon
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Exploring unarmed civilian self-protection in Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict’ has published...
New policy brief on spontaneous UCP in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Understanding Community-level Spontaneous Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP): A Comparative Study...
Creating Safer Space Conference in Thailand
The Creating Safer Space network held a three-day final regional research forum in Bangkok, Thailand,...
Research dissemination event in Cali, Colombia
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Development of civil protection capacities in women displaced by the...
Papua project publishes opinion piece in the Jakarta Post
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua: Exploring Local...
Creating Safer Space at the WOW Film Festival
As part of the WOW Wales One World Film Festival the Creating Safer Space research...
Colombia project shares research findings
The Creating Safer Space project ‘The Social Process of Guarantees of Antioquia, Colombia, an experience...
Creating Safer Space Conference in Africa
The Creating Safer Space network held a three-day Final Regional Event for Africa and the...
Creating Safer Space Exhibition in Aberystwyth
Gweler y ddolen we hon am wybodaeth yn Gymraeg What happens when civilians choose unarmed...
Colombia project organises film festival
As part of the Creating Safer Space project “Community Strategies for Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP)...
New Creating Safer Space Brochure
We are happy to share the Creating Safer Space brochure, with information about our network,...
News from projects in Palestine
The Creating Safer Space network has two research projects in Palestine. The research teams leading...
Colombia project publishes Transmedia Booklet
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Development of civil protection capacities in women displaced by the...
Pilot Projects in Participatory Evaluation and Learning
We are very pleased to announce three new Creating Safer Space projects. These projects will...
Toolbox for a Decolonial Perspective in UCP
We are very pleased to announce the publication of ‘A Toolbox for a Decolonial Perspective...
Booklet about artists and strategies for safety in Colombia and South Sudan
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Strategies for Safety and Solidarity: Understanding protection through creativity in...
Art That Protects team members visited mid-Wales
Four team members of the N+ project Art That Protects visited mid-Wales in October 2023....
Creating Safer Space network participates in Geneva UCP Gathering
15 members of the Creating Safer Space network took actively part in an International Gathering of Unarmed Civilian...
Fieldwork in South Sudan uncovers cultural practices for early warning and conflict preparedness
The Creating Safer Space research project “Visualising early warning and preparedness in civilian protection: Investigating...
Research Café: Top tips for publishing in academic journals
At the next Creating Safer Space Research Café, Dr Sukanya Podder will draw upon her...
Findings of Ritualising Protection Project presented in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Ritualising’ protection in conflict: A collaborative visual ethnography of the...
Art Exhibition on Colombia and South Sudan
The Creating Safer Space project ‘Strategies for Safety and Solidarity: Understanding protection through creativity in...
La Fiesta: Arts That Protects
The team leading the Creating Safer Space research project Art that Protects: Contributions of artistic-cultural...
New working papers on UCP in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space network has published a new working paper, ‘Unarmed Civilian Protection and...
UCP Research Forum on Asia
The Creating Safer Space team at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, invites you to the third UCP...
Invitation to Film Festival
First Festival CineAndo with my people: participatory video and community cinema The Creating Safer Space...
Newsletter from “The Social Process of Guarantees of Antioquia, Colombia” project
The research team of the Creating Safer Space project The Social Process of Guarantees of...
UCP Research Forum on Asia
The Creating Safer Space team at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, invites you to the second UCP...
Research Café: The Centrality of Relationships to Nonviolence and UCP
The aim of the network-wide Creating Safer Space Research Café is to enable people in...
Fieldwork update from “The Social Process of Guarantees of Antioquia, Colombia” project
The research team of the Creating Safer Space project The Social Process of Guarantees of...
Africa Regional Research Café on Sudan
By Veronica Kerich, Creating Safer Space project manager, Strathmore University, Kenya Amidst the escalation of...
Contribution to Caribbean-Latin American Meeting for Climate Justice
By Laura Jimenez Ospina, Network Research Assistant for Latin America Between 15 and 17 June...
Contribución al Encuentro Caribeño-Latinoamericano por la Justicia Climática
Por Laura Jiménez Ospina, Asistente de investigación de la Red para América Latina Entre el...
Research Café on Safeguarding in Practice
Creating Safer Space held a Research Café on Safeguarding in Practice on 22 June. At...
“Art That Protects” Project’s Phase 1 Comes to an End
As phase 1 of the “Art That Protects” project comes to an end, it has...
The Network was invited to La Fiesta!
By Laura Jimenez Ospina, Network Research Assistant for Latin America The auditorium was completely dark...
¡La Red estuvo invitada a La Fiesta!
Por Laura Jiménez Ospina, Asistente de investigación de la Red para América Latina El auditorio...
Unarmed Civilian Protection: A New Paradigm for Human Security
In June 2023, a new edited volume titled Unarmed Civilian Protection: A New Paradigm for...
Fieldwork Update from South Sudan
Despite challenges including the lengthy processes required to gain permission for data collection in fieldwork...
Call for Applications: Innovation in Evaluation and Learning in Unarmed Civilian Protection and Accompaniment
Creating Safer Space is aware of the sensitivities connected with UCP/A and how traditional methods...
Elders meet in the Tulpa intermedio, Caloto-Cauca
On Wednesday, May 10, thanks to the funding provided by the Creating Safer Space Network...
“La Fiesta”: A play by the Art that Protects project
El próximo 17 de mayo tendremos el estreno de la obra de teatro titulada La...
Research Café: Visual Policy Briefs
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
Fieldwork Success in Cameroon
In February, the team of researchers working on the project: ‘Exploring unarmed civilian self-protection in...
Beginning of fieldwork in Cali, Colombia
Between November and December 2022, Luisa María Colonia Zúñiga, Gustavo Suárez Ríos and Italia Agüado...
Experience exchange meeting on self-protection with indigenous and peasant organizations of Bajo Cauca, Colombia
On 10-11 February 2023, the Antioquia Social Process of Guarantees held an experience exchange meeting...
New videos from research projects!
This week, we have launched two new videos giving overviews of research projects. The videos...
Call for Conference Papers – EISA PEC16, Potsdam, 5-9 September 2023
Creating Safer Space network PI Berit Bliesemann de Guevara and project PI Sukanya Podder will be...
Beginning of fieldwork in the South Hebron Hills
Marwan Darweish, Mahmoud Soliman and Andrew Rigby spent ten days doing field research in the...
Invitation: Top Tips on How to Write a Grant Application (in French)
This month, Creating Safer Space is co-hosting a collaborative workshop with Nonviolent Peaceforce and Institut Catholique de Paris. In...
2nd Meeting of the Working group on Innovation in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Unarmed Civilian Protection/ Accompaniment
Following a successful first meeting, the working group on Innovation in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning...
Working group on Innovation in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Unarmed Civilian Protection/ Accompaniment
Welcome to the launch for the working group on Innovation in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning...
21 Research Projects in 10 Countries
The Creating Safer Space network has funded 21 research projects around the world, and we...
Invitation to join our UCP Training Course
The Creating Safer Space research network invites Expressions of Interest to participate in a 10-week...
Research Café: Unarmed Civilian Protection in Thailand
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
New Project: Enhancing unarmed civilian protection amongst Palestinian communities in the South Hebron Hills
We are pleased to announce that a new research project will start in October: “Safety...
New Project: Exploring unarmed civilian self-protection in Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict
We are pleased to announce that a new research project will start in October: “Exploring...
New Project: Community strategies for Unarmed Civilian Protection in South-West Colombia
We are pleased to announce that a new research project will start in October: “Community...
New Project: Exploring Community Perceptions and Coping Strategies on Violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar
We are pleased to announce that a new research project will start in October: “Exploring...
New Project: Mapping and Responding to Vulnerability through Nonviolent Collective Actions in Colombia
We are pleased to announce that a new research project will start in October: “Mapping...
Research Café: Writing a Successful Grant Application
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
Enhancing Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) in ASEAN
Creating Safer Space Co-Investigator Chantana Banpasirichote Wungaeo moderated a Panel on ‘Enhancing Unarmed Civilian Protection...
Funding awarded to new research projects
The Creating Safer Space network has recently held a funding competition, and we have awarded...
Research Café: Strategies for Community Protection and dealing with Election Violence
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
New Training Course on UCP
The Creating Safer Space research network invites Expressions of Interest to participate in a 10-week...
Research Café: Using Textiles as a Research Method
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
New work package: Nonviolent Artivism Against Police Brutality in Kenya
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to announce a new work package on the...
Research Café: Using Drawing as a Research Method
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
Information Session on Funding Opportunities
The Creating Safer Space network invites applications for research grants. We aim to fund 15-20...
New work package: Unarmed Civilian Protection in Kenya
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to announce a new work package on the...
Research Café: UCP, civil resistance, and human rights defence
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
Invitation to apply for research grants
The Creating Safer Space network welcomes applications for research grants. We will fund 15 –...
New work package: Civilian (Self-) Protection in Papua
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to announce a new work package on the...
New work package: Art that Protects, Colombia
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to announce a new research work package on...
New work package: Water conflicts and UPC in Colombia
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to announce a new research work package on...
New work package: Introducing UCP in Thailand
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to announce a new work package on the...
Research Café: The Everyday Peace Indicators Project
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
Research Café: UCP in Kenya
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Café is to enable people in different parts...
Launch of the UCP Research Database
The Creating Safer Space network is pleased to launch the UCP Research Database.
Research Training Workshop Videos
Last spring, the Creating Safer Space teams at Strathmore University in Kenya and Chulalongkorn University...
Research Café: UCP in Myanmar
The aim of the Creating Safer Space Research Café is to enable people in different...
Workshops on Security and Protection for Researchers
The Creating Safer Space network warmly invites you to two workshops on security and protection...
Training Course on Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP)
The Creating Safer Space network invites its members and partners to sign up for the...
Launch of Research Café: UCP in the Philippines
Welcome to the launch of the Creating Safer Space Research Café.