Training of Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) Members in Eight Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

  • Project Timeline:

    November 2022 – August 2024

  • Area of Implementation:

    Khyber

  • Sector:

    Access to Justice / Alternative Dispute Resolution / Community Governance

Funded By:
UNDP

Project Brief

The Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully implemented the project “Training of Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) Members in Eight Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

The initiative aimed to strengthen community-level justice by enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)mechanisms across the province. By equipping DRC members with standardized knowledge and practical skills, the project sought to improve the quality, fairness, and timeliness of dispute resolution while reducing pressure on formal court systems.

Objective

To strengthen institutional and technical capacities of Dispute Resolution Councils, enabling them to resolve conflicts in a fair, timely, people-centered, and rights-based manner, and to enhance public trust in community-based justice mechanisms.

Summary of Achievements

Capacity Building of DRC Members:

  • 217 DRC memberswere trained, including 15 women and 202 men, across eight districts.
  • Tailored training modules covered mediation techniques, negotiation strategies, conflict analysis, communication skills, human rights principles, andrelevant legal frameworksfor local dispute resolution.
  • Trainings improved procedural integrity, decision-making quality, and neutrality of DRCs.

Standardization and Quality Assurance:

  • 25 lawyers were trained on the official DRC Training Manual and deployed as resource persons.
  • Their engagement ensured uniform training delivery, strengthened legal understanding among DRC members, and promoted adherence to established dispute resolution protocols.

 Inclusion and Community Trust:

  • While women’s participation remained limited, the inclusion of 15 women DRC members marked a meaningful step toward gender inclusion in traditionally male-dominated local justice systems.
  • Strengthened DRC capacities contributed to conflict de-escalation, improved community confidence, and expanded access to trusted justice options.

Objective

The project significantly enhanced the effectiveness of Dispute Resolution Councils across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by professionalizing mediation practices and standardizing ADR procedures. Trained DRC members are now better equipped to resolve disputes peacefully, prevent conflict escalation, and provide accessible justice at the community level. Overall, the initiative contributed to reduced burden on formal courts, improved social cohesion, and strengthened community trust in local justice mechanisms.

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