The authors are indebted to several sharp minds and generous individuals who have helped make this project not only fascinating but also rewarding and enjoyable. To Rob Sijstermans and Frederique van Drumpt (Cordaid), who remained devoted and critical companions in the long process that led to this report. To Jort Hemmer and Madina Diallo, colleagues within Clingendael’s Conflict Research Unit, who made significant contributions to the research. To Hetty Burgman and Mariska van Beijnum who adeptly managed the process and collaboration between Clingendael and Cordaid. To all the participants of the 18 June 2015 workshop held in The Hague with the sponsorship of the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law, who were candid, unsparing and constructive with their feedback. Likewise, to the Cordaid field office staff in Afghanistan and South Sudan, who were inexhaustibly generous with their time, their good humour and their willingness to be barraged with constant questions during both informal conversations and formal interviews. Similarly, to the drivers and security staff there, who were exceedingly professional and courteous, and effectively reduced both the risks and unease associated with travelling to some insecure places. Also, to all those representatives of organisations engaged in community security activities who we interviewed virtually or in The Hague. Last, but not least, to Jenny Aulin (Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict), again Rob Sijstermans and Rosan Smits (Clingendael) for their roles as peer reviewers of a draft of this report.

The inevitable hazard in naming those to whom we owe our thanks is that the list is never complete. However, we hope that we have, at one time or another, expressed our gratitude to everyone who has helped us in this pursuit, and have done so in ways more sincere and familiar than can be expressed in typeface.

While the report is the result of a collaborative effort between Cordaid and Clingendael, its contents remain the responsibility of it authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of the institutions named above.