In 2025, more than 830 million people were exposed to conflict worldwide. While large‑scale wars account for much of the violence, interpersonal violence is even more widespread and costly, with intentional homicides claiming more lives annually than armed conflict and terrorism combined. To address this, researchers have been studying programs such as policing reforms, justice provisions, and peacebuilding initiatives, building a growing body of evidence over two decades on what works and under what conditions.
The Governance, Crime, and Conflict Initiative (GCCI) has released an updated Evidence Wrap‑Up, synthesizing findings from randomized evaluations to guide policymakers, practitioners, and donors. This edition includes 50 new studies, expanded research in low‑ and middle‑income countries, deeper analysis of behavior change programs like cognitive behavioral therapy, and new evidence on climate shocks, intergroup dialogue, and strategies to shift social norms around gender‑based violence.
The report is organized around six core questions. It examines policing and security‑sector reforms, noting that effective models must be tailored to local contexts. It explores justice provision, highlighting the importance of accessible institutions to resolve disputes and build trust. It reviews strategies for shifting individual behaviors away from crime, including cognitive and vocational programs targeting high‑risk groups.
Further chapters analyze how criminal organizations and armed groups make strategic choices between violence and non‑violence, shedding light on their responses to economic shocks and counterinsurgency efforts. Peacebuilding and reconciliation programs are assessed for their ability to rebuild trust and prevent relapse into conflict, while the final chapter focuses on combating violence against women, emphasizing the need to shift harmful gender norms, empower women economically, and strengthen institutional responsiveness.
Together, these findings provide a comprehensive evidence base for designing interventions that reduce crime, violence, and conflict, offering practical insights into building safer and more resilient societies.
