The key messages of this publication are based on the experiences gained through support for reconstruction in different regional contexts.1 1. The Building for Peace approach links the restoration of destroyed infrastructure to social, economic and societal reconstruction as a way of achieving peacebuilding effects in a context of crisis and violent conflict. 2. Reconstruction should explicitly avoid restoring the previous state and reproducing old power and social structures. As such, the term ‘reconstruction’ is only appropriate to a limited extent. 3. It is only through the long-term transformation of social contracts in the affected contexts that sustainable peace and sustainable development can be achieved. In this sense, reconstruction can promote peace. It is part of a comprehensive transformation process that includes economic reforms and support for the rule of law. 4. The Building for Peace approach is value-based and contributes to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN), in particular to Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). Strengthening human rights, reducing discrimination and inequality, promoting gender equality, preserving natural resources and protecting the climate are all efforts that should be at the heart of Building for Peace. 5. The (re)allocation of power, altered by crisis and violent conflict, as well as new demographic challenges, such as migration and displacement, often favour the necessary changes. At the same time, the interests of political and economic elites – or even of external power brokers – that benefit from the status quo frequently oppose such changes. 6. DC can improve the conditions for fair, inclusive and balanced negotiation processes for new social contracts and can create incentives for transformation by financing reconstruction measures. To this end and as part of their ongoing conflict and context analyses, development actors need to analyse the political economy of reconstruction and prevent corruption and abuse of power. They should understand their own roles as donors within the system and use this knowledge to guide their actions. 7. The Building for Peace approach is usually multisectoral in nature and involves four core, closely intertwined areas of intervention: 1. Improving state-society relations: reliable service delivery, trust and transparency; 2. Empowerment to shape the future: education, livelihoods and agency in crisis contexts; 3. Inclusive social fabric: dialogue, participation and social cohesion; 4. Urban reconstruction: space for encounters, remembering and new beginnings. 8. It is of the utmost importance that reconstruction efforts begin in a timely manner and have a longer-term perspective. Already at an early stage – during the crisis itself – DC should build up local capacities and resources for reconstruction and future planning and should use these later on in the reconstruction process. In the spirit of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus (HDP nexus), a sustainable perspective, based on an inclusive vision of development and peace, should guide all short-, mediumand long-term measures. 9. Last but not least: Local people are at the heart of the Building for Peace approach, which is a truly endogenous process that outsiders can only support. DC actors recognise their limited ability to exert influence. Nevertheless, during a very critical phase, DC offers vulnerable countries a partnership that can bring great benefits, through understanding, flexibility, collective learning and cooperation on equal terms.