An explosion of ethnic tensions in 1989 precipitated a mass expulsion of tens of thousands of Mauritanians and produced a climate of tension, uncertainty and animosity. Declining living conditions, rising unemployment and poverty, and the uneven distribution of resources exacerbated traditional sources of conflict -- access to land and water -- and social prejudices and discrimination became rampant. The Joint Programme's goal was to reduce conflict and inter-community tensions by promoting national unity and the rule of law, improving the equal distribution of resources and creating conflict resolution mechanisms.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world. Civil war, multiple coups and assassinations and protracted unrest have created profound political instability and extremely fragile institutions. The aim of the Joint Programme was to strengthen Guinea-Bissau's justice system and improve access to justice, particularly for women and the poor. It sought to foster national ownership, promote stability, improve the rule of law and public security and help reintegrate ex-combatants.

The aim of the Joint Programme was to improve security and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's troubled province of North Kivu. The programme  adopted a holistic and multi-sectoral approach to assist 70,000 returnees and victims of sexual violence to reintegrate into their communities and to equitably manage the natural resources that are at the heart of the conflict there – improving their ability to produce their own food, bring it to market and build their livelihoods.