Research Series on Plural Security Provision

Plural Security Insights is a consortium project, funded by a research grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and offers empirical insights on plural security provision in urban contexts.

Plural security provision is examined in three urban contexts: Beirut (Lebanon), Nairobi (Kenya), and Tunis (Tunisia).  A final synthesis paper summarizes recurrent themes from the case studies and provides recommendations and advice for policy makers working in contexts of security pluralism.

To foster effective security and rule of law assistance, the project provides empirically-based policy advice on how local governance structures might interact with various local security providers to improve security outcomes for urban residents. The project is guided by the following questions:

• What incentives effectively compel non-state actors to prioritize positive security outcomes for local citizens? Alternatively, what motivations are likely to dissuade them from working toward such positive outcomes for citizens?
• What factors effectively encourage local public officials to engage non-state actors in constructive dialogue? Alternatively, what considerations appear to encourage antagonistic local governance responses to non-state security providers?
• How can public resources be leveraged to enable marginalized communities to advocate for and realize their collective security interests within plural security governance contexts?

Consortium partners:

• Clingendael Institute, Conflict Research Unit
• Rift Valley Institute, Nairobi
• UN-Habitat, Beirut
• The Graduate Institute, Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding
• UrbaConsult, Tunis