03-06-2026 | di COOPI

DRC. The value of consortium work in preventing gender-based violence

Preventing and responding to gender-based violence requires diverse expertise, strong local engagement and effective coordination. It is from this conviction that the consortium led by COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale was established under the project “STAR-East: Consultancy services for the implementation of activities linked to gender-based violence (GBV)/EAS/HS within the framework of the implementation of the stabilisation and recovery project in the eastern DrC provinces”, funded by the World Bank and implemented in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.

Together with HEAL Africa, SOFEPADI, ActionAid and Help a Child, COOPI has been working since June 2025 to strengthen the prevention of gender-based violence and improve survivors’ access to support services, bringing together organisations with complementary expertise and experience.

Building a shared vision

The consortium’s activities began with a baseline study on gender-based violence risks, available services and the main challenges affecting the intervention areas, involving all partners. The exercise engaged 442 participants through focus group discussions across the different areas of intervention and generated valuable evidence to guide project activities in line with community needs.

This work was complemented by regular meetings among partners and consultations with provincial authorities and other stakeholders to define intervention areas, harmonise activities and strengthen coordination on the ground.

Training activities for health professionals and community actors are now helping to strengthen the quality of case management and referral pathways. Community mobilisation activities have also supported the identification of key local actors, including community mobilisers, psychosocial workers and protection committees, contributing to a more accessible and comprehensive response.

In its role as consortium lead, COOPI supports the work of its partners by fostering dialogue, facilitating the sharing of tools and coordinating activities. From needs assessments and service mapping to the preparation of training activities, consortium-based work helps build a more coordinated response while strengthening and leveraging local expertise.

Building on the experience the organisation has developed in the country over the years, this approach places collaboration between organisations, communities and local institutions at its core, with the aim of strengthening the prevention of gender-based violence and improving survivors’ access to support services.

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COOPI has been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1977. With its headquarters in Kinshasa, it operates in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Kasai Central in the sectors of protection, nutrition, food security and health.