What we do

CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation seeks to strengthen the viable conditions for peace through mediation, dialogue and serving as a trusted partner.

In an international environment marked by geopolitical competition and fragmentation, where the conditions for peacemaking are challenging, CMI seeks to improve:

• The effectiveness of peace processes and connectivity between actors to manage tensions and to prevent and resolve conflicts;
• The agency and related capacity of key peacemaking actors and stakeholders to manage, resolve and prevent conflict;
• The policy and practices of peacemaking so they can better respond to current conflict drivers and contribute to sustainable peace.

We work with actors who have the potential to influence peace and democratic stability within their conflict ecosystems. This we do by prioritising balanced engagement across political spectra and societal and conflict divides.

Regions where we work

Our work programme is invariably designed and implemented in close collaboration with local stakeholders, and it is carried out in several fragile contexts and least developed countries across the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eurasia and Asia. We emphasise inclusivity, and we engage with numerous stakeholders and constituencies working towards sustainable peace.

Thematic priorities

CMI’s historic thematic commitments to Women in Peacemaking and Digital Peacemaking have been enhanced by a third complementary priority, Youth in Peacemaking, since 2025.

A portfolio called Multilateral Affairs and Peacemaking Policy is also new to CMI. It advances the review, adaptation, and innovation of peacemaking policies and practices. The portfolio builds on established strands of work on improving international peacemaking practice; strengthening connectivity among diverse peacemaking actors; and enhancing multilateral peacemaking in support of more sustainable peace processes.

Target groups

The actors and groups engaged directly by CMI are determined based on independent, participatory, and up-to-date context and conflict analysis. CMI works with people and organisations who are or who have the potential to be positive change-makers towards peace and democratic stability within their conflict ecosystems.

CMI prioritises balanced engagement across political spectra as well as societal and conflict divides (including geographic, political, religious or ethnic differences), with particular emphasis on the participation of women and youth. This approach is implemented transparently to ensure conflict sensitivity and prevent perceptions of bias. Such balanced engagement is crucial for establishing a broad ownership base and preventing multiple intersecting forms of discrimination. CMI’s fundamental principle of ownership ensures that engaged actors can influence both process design and implementation.