Our activities
Socio-security assessments,
perception studies, and mapping
Drawing on a network of expertise, academic partnerships, and solid expertise in sampling and data collection, Coginta conducts socio-security assessments, victimization surveys, and perception studies on security and judicial issues at local, national, and regional levels. These studies address access to justice, delinquency, radicalisation, small arms and light weapons (SALW), drug use and trafficking, conflicts over access to and sharing of natural resources, cross-border crime, and more. Using accessible technological tools, results can be presented as interactive maps, including in poorly mapped or unmapped areas. The data collected are often multi-purpose: they inform project design, monitoring, and evaluation; provide foresight tools for donors; and support evidence-based decision-making by authorities.
Institutional and organisational support
Coginta provides advice and technical assistance to state institutions responsible for justice and security. This support aims to improve the operation, efficiency and quality of services delivered tu users. Coginta's work focuses on the development of policies, regulations, and procedures that form the foundation of sound institutional governance. The objective is to create a solid foundation on which the supported institution can build its image and organisational culture. Coginta is involved in strategic planning, human resources management, training policy, and budgetary management. Some support also focuses on improving supply chains, strengthening internal and external communication, and digitising procedures.
Furthermore, Coginta works to strengthen the capacity of staff in judicial and security institutions, with a focus on the acquisition and development of competencies. In particular, this involves improving staff knowledge, attitudes, and skills to enhance institutional performance. To this end, Coginta mobilises high-level expertise for the design of competence frameworks and training programmes, training-of-trainers (ToT), and the creation of fit-for-purpose learning tools.
Supporting civil society organisations
Placing local, civilian, and non-state actors at the centre of peace, security, and justice policy is at the heart of Coginta’s mandate. For many years, civil society has gained visibility and influence in the areas of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Yet in some parts of the world, civil-society activities aimed at promoting security or access to justice are unwelcome, and even obstructed. Many governments remain wary and may perceive such work as oppositional.
Coginta therefore supports civil society organisations that promote peace, security, justice, and social cohesion. This support takes the form of institutional and organisational strengthening, experience-sharing, specialised training, micro-grants, and joint initiatives within consortia. We conduct most of our studies and assessments in partnership with academic institutions, and our awareness-raising and communication activities are systematically delivered via local and national media.
Improving working conditions and public reception
Building infrastructure for security and justice institutions helps meet operational requirements by ensuring closer proximity and services tailored to people’s needs. Constructing facilities in sometimes remote areas that have historically received less public investment also helps restore trust between the state and the population. These infrastructure components allow service users to be received in dignified conditions, respectful of individuals and compliant with international standards. Such anchor investments can act as catalysts for economic development by contributing to a safer environment – and thus one more conducive to private investment – particularly by facilitating trade and transport. The infrastructures designed and delivered by Coginta follows environmentally responsible specifications and promotes renewable energy.
Strengthening operational capacities
To enable state institutions to fully meet the expectations of local populations, it is imperative that they have the equipment required to fulfil their mandates. Coginta therefore works in concert with beneficiary institutions to determine needs, taking into account budgetary and delivery constraints. Technical assistance may include support to develop maintenance and upkeep budgets, and to establish equipment-tracking databases that facilitate asset traceability. In the fields of public safety and civil protection, the provision of specialised equipment strengthens institutions’ resilience and operational capacity to respond to critical situations. Coginta's priority is to provide equipment tailored to people’s protection needs – and its mandate strictly excludes the provision of lethal equipment.
