Non-formal education and new partnerships in a (post-)conflict situation: ‘Three cooking stones supporting one saucepan’

•The combination of these two groups gives the organisation a strong base.•YWCDO is filling a gap left by the government, but hardly acknowledged for it.•Sustainability of the organisation is not a matter of course.•The importance of human activity to bring people together.•The women in the course make their own ‘blend’ of Western and local knowledge.

The conviction is gaining ground that education, not only for children, but also for youth and adults, is vital in conflict-affected areas to (re)build a strong society. This article discusses the constructive role of non-formal education in a post-conflict situation. Concepts of international cooperation and partnerships on the one hand and non-formal education and lifelong learning on the other hand are used to build a framework for analysing a micro development project in a conflict-affected area in North-Western Uganda. The analysis highlights the dynamics that play a role when people collaborate in rebuilding their communities.