We are proud to present to you the five finalists of the UCLG Peace Prize 2026!
This edition received an exceptional level of geographical and thematic diversity among applications. After a thorough selection process conducted by the Technical Evaluation Committee and subsequently by the Members of the Jury, five finalists have been selected. Chosen from this highly inspiring and diverse pool of applications, the following finalists will present their peace initiative at the UCLG World Congress in Tangier, Morocco. Congratulations to:
- Lamu County, Kenya: Breaking the Wall of Peace Fragility in Disaster Zones strengthens community resilience through integrated early warning and response systems for climate and social risks, inclusive dialogue platforms, and active participation. Focusing on youth, women, refugees, and marginalized groups as co‑creators of peace, the programme reduces conflict risks during crises, improves refugee – host relations, and builds trust in local institutions through a preventive, locally led approach. Lamu County has institutionalised peacebuilding through its Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Policy (2022) and Act (2022), making peace prevention and social cohesion a formal and permanent function of local government.
- Manabí, Ecuador: in a context deeply affected by organized crime and social inequality, the Peaceful Coexistence and Human Security Plan targets vulnerable populations, including rural communities, women, and at‑risk youth. It does so through expanding access to sports, protection services, health brigades, and economic opportunities for farmers. The regional programme seeks to reduce risk factors, prevent criminal recruitment, and build a sustainable culture of peace across the province.
- North Minahasa, Indonesia: designed the North Minahasa Regency Peace Initiative to prevent interreligious conflict and strengthen long-term social cohesion through inclusive governance. The initiative integrates interfaith dialogue, youth tolerance education, transparent facilitation of worship facilities, and cultural harmony activities into one coherent policy approach.
- São Paulo, Brazil: the Maria da Penha Guardian Program aims to protect women facing domestic violence in São Paulo. It targets women at high risk by providing home visits, preventive patrols, referrals to support services, and access to an emergency geolocated alert app that enables rapid response from the Metropolitan Civil Guard. Through coordinated action between the municipal government, the judiciary, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the program strengthens institutional trust and ensures that protective orders are effectively monitored.
- Kapoeta North, South Sudan: through the Improve Self‑Reliance of Communities initiative Kapoeta North aims to prevent and reduce water‑related conflicts by strengthening local governance and empowering communities to manage water resources collaboratively. Key stakeholders include the local government, traditional leaders, women, youth, and the Integrated Health and Development Organization, all working together to promote accountability and inclusive decision‑making in water governance and WASH service delivery.
Once more we would like to emphasize that each edition of the UCLG Peace Prize reaffirms the key role of local and regional governments in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction around the world.
All finalists will create a video in which they showcase and illustrate the impact of their initiatives. It is now up to the jury to decide who is going to win the UCLG Peace Prize 2026. We are extremely looking forward to the UCLG Word Congress from 22 to 26 June in Tangier, Morocco, where the finalists’ videos will be shown and the winner will be announced!
In the run up to the Congress, we will provide you with more information about the five finalists on our website.
