Kenya’s growing reputation as a leader in grassroots peacebuilding has earned fresh international praise. Re-Imagining New Communities, a Nairobi-based organisation, was named Outstanding Peace and Security Initiative of the Year 2025 at the International Peace and Security Awards (IPSA) held in Dar es Salaam.
The annual award honours individuals and organisations whose work strengthens stability and harmony within communities across Africa. For Re-Imagining New Communities, the recognition marks a defining moment in its decade-long effort to nurture dialogue and understanding among children, faith groups, and local leaders.
“This is not just about Re-Imagining New Communities,” said Sahlim Charles, the group’s Executive Director, during his acceptance speech. “It is about the countless children we support through peace labs and the teachers who have built inclusive classrooms. This recognition is a reminder that peace is possible when people walk together.”
Founded with a simple idea—that peace must start from the ground up—the organisation has pioneered Children-Led Peace Labs, where young people are taught how to resolve disputes peacefully. Its Faith for Peace initiative also works with religious leaders to turn places of worship into safe spaces for dialogue and reconciliation.
Observers at the IPSA noted that such grassroots efforts reflect a wider shift across Africa. Rather than relying solely on government or foreign intervention, communities themselves are taking charge of their peacebuilding journeys.
The award, presented by the African Leadership Initiatives for Impact (ALII), places Re-Imagining New Communities among a growing list of organisations redefining what it means to build peace in today’s Africa.
Kenya’s presence at the ceremony also underscored the country’s expanding influence in regional peace efforts, even as East Africa continues to grapple with political tensions, extremism, and social division.
Charles reflected on the deeper meaning of the recognition. “This award challenges us not to rest, but to dig deeper,” he said. “Peace is not an event, it is a journey — and this medal is a call to walk further on that journey with courage, humility, and hope.”
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