Belun is a non-government organisation based in Dili, Timor-Leste whose mission is to serve society, prevent conflict and facilitate community capacity development with integrity and innovation. Since its founding in 2004, Belun has become one of the country’s largest non-government organisations, working across a number of programs to strengthen civil society and provide support to people in all 13 districts of Timor-Leste. Belun’s Strategic Plan for 2019-2023 focus on three core areas of work, which are conflict prevention, community capacity development, and research and policy development.

Belun’s team of over 40 staff has extensive experience working in both the government and non-government sectors, drawing those from across the international development sector and maintaining a strong relationship with Columbia University’s Center for International Conflict Resolution.

The primary focus of Belun’s conflict prevention efforts lies in its Early Warning, Early Response (EWER) System. This system relies on a network of volunteers that monitor violence in local communities and report on potential outbreaks. The EWER System caters to many stakeholders within Timor-Leste, including national and local governments, councils, and civil society groups to facilitate information sharing and help provide effective responses to different forms of violence. Belun’s EWER System is well regarded internationally and amongst other APPAP members, and it was the primary inspiration for the development of APPAP W.A.R.N.