Hashoo Foundation, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully concluded a five-day training programme on Promoting Peace and Environmental Justice through Social Action Projects (SAPs) and Insider Mediation in Swat under the project “Empowering Women for Peace and Environmental Justice in Swat.” The training brought together Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs), community leaders, activists, and insider mediators from across Swat to strengthen their capacity in environmental justice, peacebuilding, and community-led climate action.
The programme aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills in designing and implementing Community Environmental Justice and Peace (CEJP) initiatives, addressing environmental and climate-related grievances, promoting dialogue and mediation, and engaging effectively with formal government mechanisms, including environmental protection institutions.
Throughout the five days, participants engaged in intensive sessions on environmental justice, conflict analysis, community-led social action projects, mediation and negotiation skills, advocacy, institutional referral pathways, and climate-related complaint mechanisms. Participants also developed practical community action plans designed to address local environmental challenges through peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable approaches.
Government representatives from relevant departments, environmental institutions, and local administration participated in various sessions, providing participants with valuable insights into official complaint and redress mechanisms and opportunities for collaboration between communities and public institutions.
The closing ceremony was graced by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim, Vice Chancellor, University of Swat, as the Chief Guest. Addressing the participants, he emphasized the importance of such initiatives in the current environmental context of Swat. He noted that Swat’s people and economy are deeply dependent on the region’s natural ecosystem, which is increasingly under pressure due to environmental and climate-related changes. He appreciated Hashoo Foundation and UNDP for organizing the training, stating that it would play a vital role in raising public awareness and strengthening community-led efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ms. Sumaira Hashwani, Chief Executive Officer of Hashoo Foundation congratulated the participants on successfully completing the training and emphasized the critical role of local communities, particularly women, in advancing environmental justice and sustainable peace.
“Environmental challenges cannot be addressed through infrastructure and policies alone. Sustainable solutions emerge when communities are empowered, informed, and actively engaged in protecting their environment and resolving disputes peacefully,” she remarked.
During the ceremony, Ms. Sumaira Hashwani and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim distributed certificates among the participants in recognition of their successful completion of the training programme.
The initiative seeks to build a network of trained Environmental Human Rights Defenders and Insider Mediators who can serve as local champions for environmental protection, conflict prevention, and community resilience. Participants are expected to lead awareness efforts, facilitate dialogue, support communities in accessing formal grievance mechanisms, and implement community-based environmental justice initiatives in their respective areas.
The training marks an important step toward strengthening community ownership of environmental governance and promoting inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable responses to environmental and climate-related challenges in Swat.
