Implementing community peacebuilding in an electoral battlefield : Epworth, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study investigates the role of community-led social innovation and social entrepreneurship in transforming electoral violence into peacebuilding efforts in Epworth, Zimbabwe. It examines the extent to which collective entrepreneurial ventures can foster dialogue, political tolerance, and conflict transformation. It adopts a participatory action research (PAR) approach underpinned by Lederach’s conflict transformation theory. Data was collected through participant observation, in depth interviews, focus group discussions, and analysis of financial records and meeting minutes. A community-driven peacebuilding intervention, the Peace Rabbits project, was implemented to explore the potential of social innovation in addressing political violence. The findings reveal that social innovation and entrepreneurship contribute significantly to peacebuilding by fostering dialogue, cooperation, and economic empowerment. The Peace Rabbits project created a neutral platform where community members from different political affiliations worked together towards a shared economic goal. Over time, this collaboration facilitated conflict transformation, improved political tolerance, and mended fractured community relations. The study also highlights that localised, stakeholder-driven initiatives are more effective in addressing political tensions than externally imposed interventions. The study recommends the expansion of grassroots entrepreneurial peace initiatives as viable conflict resolution strategies. It advocates for policy support from government and non-governmental organizations to institutionalize community-led peacebuilding efforts. Further research is needed to assess the long-term sustainability of such interventions and their broader applicability in other conflict-prone communities.