The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) Company Profile

Name: Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)

Type: Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

Founded: 2005

Headquarters: Wisconsin, United States

Global Presence: ACLED operates globally, covering conflict events in over 200 countries and territories.

Mission Statement: “To produce the highest quality and most widely used real-time data and analysis on political violence and protest around the world.”

Core Values:

• Accuracy: Commitment to precise and reliable data collection.
• Transparency: Open access to data and methodologies for public use.
• Inclusivity: Comprehensive coverage across diverse regions and conflict types.
• Innovation: Utilization of cutting-edge technology and methods to enhance data collection and analysis.
• Collaboration: Partnerships with local and international entities to enrich data quality and scope.

Areas of Expertise:

1. Disaggregated Conflict Data Collection: Detailed coding of dates, actors, locations, fatalities, and types of political violence and protest events.
2. Real-Time Data Analysis: Continuous updating and analysis of conflict scenarios to provide timely insights.
3. Crisis Mapping: Visualization and mapping of conflict events to aid in understanding and responding to crises.
4. Special Initiatives: Targeted projects to deepen conflict coverage in specific regions or thematic areas.

Key Programs and Initiatives:

• Cabo Ligado: Monitoring political violence in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province with real-time data and analysis.
• Ethiopia Peace Observatory (EPO): Enhanced local data collection and analysis on political violence and protest trends in Ethiopia.
• Early Warning Research Hub: Tools for anticipating and responding to emerging crises.
• Conflict Pulse: Predictive modeling and trend tracking for conflict actor behavior.
• Ukraine Crisis Hub: Near real-time information on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Yemen Truce Monitor: Analysis of conflict trends during the UN-sponsored truce in Yemen.

Notable Achievements:

• Comprehensive Dataset: As of 2022, ACLED has recorded over 1.3 million individual events globally.
• Geographic Expansion: Coverage now includes all countries and territories worldwide, including under-reported regions.
• Influential Research: Contributions to UN Security Council Resolution 2493 on violence against women in politics.
• Global Recognition: Extensive use by governments, international organizations, NGOs, academics, and media outlets.

Leadership:

• Founder and Executive Director: Prof. Clionadh Raleigh
• Director of Research & Innovation: Dr. Roudabeh Kishi
• Director of Programs & Operations: Olivia Russell

Funding and Partnerships:

• Funding Sources: Grants from foundations, government agencies, and international organizations.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with academic institutions, local data collection partners, and international NGOs to enhance data collection and analysis.

Data Collection and Methodology: ACLED focuses on tracking various types of political violence and protests, collecting data from a broad range of sources including traditional media, government reports, new media, and local partners. Data are collected by trained experts and made available for public use in real time through ACLED’s website and API.

Analysis and Publications: ACLED provides weekly regional overviews, briefings, reports, and infographics, offering in-depth analysis of political violence and protest trends. Special reports and thematic analyses are regularly published to highlight emerging conflicts and key trends.

Uses and Users of ACLED Data: ACLED data and analysis are utilized by a diverse array of stakeholders including:

• Policy Makers: Informing decisions and policy initiatives by governments and international bodies such as the UN, World Bank, and NATO.
• NGOs: Supporting humanitarian and development programs with detailed conflict data.
• Academics and Researchers: Providing a robust dataset for studying political violence and protest dynamics.
• Media: Enabling accurate reporting and analysis of conflict trends worldwide.

ACLED continues to be a critical resource for understanding and responding to political violence and protest globally, with a commitment to providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive data.