BELUN, which means "friend" or "partner" in Tetum, is a local NGO set up in 2004 to bolster civil society in Timor-Leste and reduce underlying tensions that may lead to violent conflict. Belun’s mandate is to serve communities within Timor-Leste, develop the organizational capacity of its partners, reduce tensions and prevent conflict in Timor-Leste. Belun means ‘friend’ or ‘partner’ in the local language, Tetun.
Belun’s highest-profile programme is the Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) conflict monitoring programme. Over 80 volunteer monitors across Timor-Leste gather information on incidents of violence and conflict. They are used to identify areas of particular concern and to develop recommendations for policy reform and intervention both nationally and locally.
Belun’s other programmes cover Property Rights, Land Conflict Mediation, a national database of current development projects from all sectors, food security and the support of a series of sub-district based Conflict Prevention and Response Networks.
For more information visit www.belun.tl