At the Peace Innovation Initiative (PII), we see peace not as an abstract concept, but as something that can be actively designed, tested, and scaled. As a global accelerator for peacebuilding, we operate at the intersection of innovation, technology, and social impact. In partnership with powerful and unique partners, we were founded to rethink how peace is built… bringing together diverse voices from academia, entrepreneurship, policy, and grassroots leadership to co-create solutions that address the root causes of conflict and inequality.

Our work is grounded in collaboration. We believe that sustainable peace cannot emerge from isolated efforts, which is why we prioritize partnerships across sectors such as health, education, climate, and innovation,” states PII Founder & President, Ms. Barbara Winston. Through this cross-sector approach, we’ve developed programs and platforms that break down silos and foster collective problem-solving. From global workshops and research initiatives to our Peace+ Innovation Hub, we’ve contributed to conversations and action around critical issues like AI and the Sustainable Development Goals, water security, and the future of education.

Central to our mission is the idea of ‘building the DNA of Peace.’ We approach peace as a system(s) that can be studied, mapped, and intentionally strengthened. In collaboration with UPEACE’s Global Center for Peace Innovation, we created the DNA of Peace Fellowship Program, a flagship initiative that reflects this vision. The fellowship brings together practitioner-scholars from around the world and supports them in developing innovative, real-world solutions to pressing global challenges.

Through the DNA of Peace Fellowship, we equip participants with the tools, mentorship, and networks they need to turn ideas into impact. Fellows work across disciplines and geographies, tackling issues such as health equity, environmental peacebuilding, and peace-tech innovation. Their work demonstrates how local solutions can generate insights with global relevance, contributing to a growing body of knowledge about what truly makes peace sustainable.

Education and capacity-building are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to cultivating a global pipeline of ‘peace innovators,’ individuals who can bridge theory and practice to create meaningful change. Through our fellowships, ambassador programs, and collaborative research efforts, we invest in people who are shaping the future of peacebuilding in tangible ways.

Looking ahead, we are focused on growth and expansion. Over the coming year, we plan to scale our programs, deepen our partnerships, and broaden participation in our innovation ecosystem. By expanding the reach of initiatives like the DNA of Peace Fellowship and strengthening our global network through our Cooperative for Humanity, we aim to embed peace more deeply into the systems that shape our world.

At PII, we are not just advocating for peace, we are building it day by day. Through diverse partnerships, innovative programming, and a shared commitment to action, we are working to create the conditions for peace to thrive, evolve, and endure across communities worldwide… join us.