Creativity on the frontline of conflict, climate change, and social injustice
In Place of War works alongside artists, musicians, and grassroots cultural organisations on the frontlines of conflict, climate change, and social injustice — standing with them, and giving them the opportunities to lead the change."
Vision
A world where creativity thrives on the frontlines of conflict, climate crisis, and social injustice, and where artists and young changemakers lead the transformation toward peace, justice, and planetary survival.
misson
In Place of War works alongside artists, musicians, and grassroots cultural organisations in communities affected by conflict, climate change, and systemic inequality. We strengthen creative ecosystems by:
Empowering young creative changemakers with resources, leadership development, and global connections
Co-creating safe and sustainable cultural spaces
Mobilising music and the arts as tools for systemic change
Producing high-quality creative work that provokes, inspires, and engages
Building evidence and influence to position creativity as essential social infrastructure
We work long-term, by invitation, and in partnership, translating creativity into lasting infrastructure, livelihoods, leadership, and impact.
our approach
01
Long-term, by invitation
We don't parachute in. We work with communities over years, invited, guided and led by them. Many partners have collaborated with us for over a decade.
02
Catalytic, not extractive
Our role is to strengthen what already exists and help it grow sustainably, connecting local changemakers to global platforms, resources and networks.
03
Evidence-led practice
Founded through pioneering research at the University of Manchester. Purpose-built, evidence-led and shaped by the communities we serve.
Strategy 2025–30
Our strategy centres on the two greatest threats to humanity, conflict and climate change, and the people best placed to address them: young, creative changemakers.
Strategic priorities:
Empower creative changemakers
Mobilise the arts for systemic change
Produce high quality art that provokes, engages and inspires positive action
Build evidence and influence
“
Art helps people forget about the conflict. Art helps you change perceptions about others. With art you can call on people’s emotions. With arts you can create dreams — you can disconnect from the bad things around yourself and imagine a different world.
Laurent Kasindi, Eastern Kivu, DRC
‘If it wasn’t for hip-hop, I would be dead. Hip-hop gave me another option and I am thankful for that.’
MC Lupa, Medellín, Colombia
‘Art is not a thing, it’s a relationship, a process — it is how we make and remake our world.’
Professor James Thompson, University of Manchester and Founder of In Place of War
'Our weapons in this war are our guitars and drums. And they have served us well because we are still alive.'
Punk drummer from Medellín, Colombia