Strengthening Community-Based Protection

Overview

SYCAC works to strengthen the ability of conflict-affected communities to protect their most vulnerable members, reduce exposure to protection risks, and improve access to rights, information, and referral pathways.

This strategic pillar responds to protection risks linked to displacement, return, marginalization, housing, land and property disputes, explosive ordnance contamination, and the weakened capacity of communities and local structures to identify and respond to emerging threats.

Our Approach

SYCAC applies a community-based, conflict-sensitive, and do-no-harm approach that places local communities at the centre of protection analysis, prevention, early identification, referral, and response.

Interventions are designed according to local protection risks, conflict dynamics, barriers to accessing services and rights, and the specific needs of women, children, persons with disabilities, returnees, displaced people, and other vulnerable groups.

The approach may combine community-based protection mechanisms, awareness raising, legal and rights-based support, referral pathways, explosive ordnance risk education, capacity development, and coordination with relevant service providers.

Community-Based Protection Mechanisms

SYCAC supports communities and local structures to identify protection risks early, analyse their causes, and develop locally appropriate prevention and response measures.

Community members, local organizations, volunteers, and leaders may receive training in protection principles, safe identification, referral, confidentiality, safeguarding, and accountability.

These mechanisms help communities strengthen their ability to monitor risks, share reliable information, connect vulnerable individuals with appropriate services, and respond before risks escalate.

Protection of Vulnerable and At-Risk Groups

SYCAC gives particular attention to individuals and groups who face increased protection risks because of displacement, age, gender, disability, economic hardship, social exclusion, or other vulnerabilities.

Interventions aim to reduce barriers to services and participation, improve access to information and support, and strengthen the ability of families and communities to protect vulnerable members.

Where relevant, SYCAC supports early identification and referral mechanisms for children and other individuals requiring specialized assistance.

Housing, Land and Property Rights

SYCAC helps individuals and communities improve their awareness of housing, land and property rights and better understand the risks associated with ownership, tenancy, documentation, return, and displacement.

Support may include legal awareness, information sessions, referral to specialized legal services, and assistance in understanding available administrative or legal pathways.

This work helps reduce disputes, supports safer and more informed decisions, and addresses barriers that may prevent displaced people and returnees from accessing homes, land, property, or documentation.

Explosive Ordnance Risk Education

SYCAC supports communities affected by explosive ordnance contamination to recognize risks, adopt safer behaviour, and reduce exposure to mines, unexploded ordnance, and other explosive hazards.

Risk education activities provide clear, practical, and context-appropriate information on identifying dangerous areas and objects, avoiding unsafe behaviour, reporting hazards, and responding safely to suspected contamination.

Particular attention is given to children, returnees, farmers, displaced households, and communities living or working in contaminated areas.

Information, Referral and Access to Services

SYCAC strengthens access to reliable information and referral pathways so that people facing protection risks can reach appropriate services safely and in a timely manner.

This may include mapping available services, strengthening coordination with local organizations and service providers, and helping communities understand where and how to seek assistance.

All referral and information-sharing processes are guided by confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding, and the principle of doing no harm.

Long-Term Results

Through this strategic pillar, SYCAC seeks to contribute to communities that are better able to identify, prevent, and respond to protection risks.

The intended long-term result is that community-based protection mechanisms function effectively, vulnerable individuals are safer and better connected to rights and services, and communities are more aware of housing, land and property issues and explosive ordnance risks.

SYCAC also aims to strengthen local ownership of protection processes so that communities are better prepared to reduce risks, support vulnerable members, and respond to emerging protection challenges.