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About Us

The Corioli Institute is a think-and-do tank dedicated to (re)building social cohesion and sustainable futures among individuals and communities affected by violence. We recognize that enhancing social, psychological, economic, and climate security, among many other factors, is fundamental to holistic recovery and peacebuilding. Our organization collaborates with formerly armed actors – i.e., those individuals who previously produced violence - and their receiving communities to enhance the resource commons, fostering environments where trust and social cohesion can be cultivated. We leverage a fully participatory, data-driven approach of
“nothing about us without us” with all project partners as a part of our zero-waste funding philosophy, in which every dollar spent serves the community's actual needs.

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Mission

To improve security and reintegration outcomes through methodological innovation that places lived experience at the center of research and action by…

…transforming pathways to reintegration through holistic approaches that engage both individual journeys and their social contexts, creating ethical and sustainable solutions through integrated support networks.


…pioneering evidence-based approaches to security grounded in radical participation and principled leadership, centering diverse stakeholder voices in both analysis and implementation.

…advancing multi-scalar policy change by translating community-generated knowledge into frameworks that reshape how institutions approach peace and security.

VISION

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A world where individuals and communities transform lived experiences of violence into pathways toward resilience and renewal, emerging from their unique circumstances.

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VALUES

Transformative Leadership

We model new standards for leading knowledge production and change in our field. Our own organizational structure—woman-owned, majority-minority, and veteran-led—exemplifies this transformation. Through continuous learning and reflective practice, we develop and share innovative methodological approaches that challenge traditional research and action paradigms. We invest in developing emerging scholars and practitioners from conflict-affected communities, creating pathways for new voices to shape the field.

Evidence-Based Innovation

Through collaborative data collection and rigorous research, we develop solutions that work in real contexts and create lasting change. Our methodologies, from ethnographic walks to participant-led conferences, demonstrate how radical participation transforms academic research into meaningful action. We hold ourselves accountable through transparent methods, open data practices, and continuous dialogue with communities and peers.

Power in
Partnership

We restructure our research and action through deep community partnership, exemplified by our practice of recruiting formerly armed actors as researchers and analysts. Local knowledge and lived experience determine our priorities, shape our methods, and define our success metrics. We invest direct resources in community research capacity and vocational capabilities and work to transfer funding control to local organizations.

Critical
Ethical Practice

We actively examine and challenge established approaches to ensure they serve those most affected by violence. Our ethical framework goes beyond avoiding harm to actively building new modes of engagement that prioritize dignity, justice, and local agency.

Grounded
Empathy

Everyone has a story, and that story holds expertise. Throughout our research and practice, we begin with lived experience and deep listening to understand the full complexity of conflict and violence. This empathy extends to all actors—including those who have caused harm—building understanding that honors local knowledge and leadership.

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About Us

©2024 Corioli Institute.​ All rights reserved. We are a registered charity under Title 57, Chapter 5 of the Code

of Virginia. 501(c)(3) status applies.
We are a woman-founded and

veteran-led nonprofit.

 

We are dedicated to creating and supporting initiatives that foster peace, justice, and human security. Our work is rooted in the belief that every person has the right to access educational, economic, and social opportunities.

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