In Guinea-Bissau, communities are navigating daily uncertainty caused by instability and crime. Standing with them are UN Volunteers—one of them, Christian Menin, is from Brazil. He is a Project Manager with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF)—a key UN mechanism for supporting peacebuilding efforts in fragile settings.
Christian works hand in hand with local institutions to rebuild trust and empower communities. He collaborates with police and justice officials, providing training to combat organized crime, corruption, and money laundering. In remote border areas, he helps install solar-powered systems so police posts can stay connected and equipped. These efforts are part of a broader peacebuilding initiative aimed at building trust in public institutions and making communities feel safer.
To date, approximately 500 security officers and 300 justice operators have participated in training and awareness activities supported by the project. Partners have reported stronger collaboration across institutions, while communities note growing trust in their institutions.
A magistrate who oversees training for justice professionals explained: “If it was not for UNDP, we would simply not train our magistrates, lawyers, prosecutors, and professionals. As a training center, we would not even exist!”
Beyond institutional reform, Christian has worked with 400 young people during a 10-day prevention camp on one of the islands. The programme focused on drug prevention, a growing challenge in Guinea-Bissau, where local consumption has increased in recent years. “These camps are one way to build resilience and encourage healthy choices,” he says.
Christian’s work is part of a wider movement for peace across West and Central Africa. Forty-seven UN Volunteers are presently supporting Peacebuilding Fund projects to help communities come together, rebuild trust, and involve young people in decision-making processes. Their presence sends a powerful message: peace begins when people commit, connect, and care.
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