University of Maine & Davis Foundation

Projects for Peace

Projects for Peace is an humanitarian initiative inspired by the late philanthropist Kathryn W. Davis.  Since the program’s founding in 2007, over 830 projects have been completed in over 100 countries. The Projects for Peace initiative is designed to encourage creativity, innovation and social entrepreneurship.  

Under the auspices of the Davis United World College Scholars Program, the University of Maine is pleased to announce a call for proposals that are building blocks for a sustainable peace. Any undergraduate or group of undergraduates is eligible to design a project — anywhere in the world — which promotes peace, addresses the root causes of conflict among parties, and has a plan for sustainability. We encourage applicants to use their creativity to design projects and employ innovative techniques for engaging project participants in ways that focus on conflict prevention, resolution, or reconciliation. Through the generosity of Clem and Linda McGillicuddy, the winning UMaine project will be awarded up to $10,000 to implement the project.  

Important Dates: 

  • Rough Draft Submission (recommended, not required): November 1st, 2024
  • Final Submission (required): December 3, 2024

Proposals should be submitted to coheninstitute@maine.edu 

If interested, please reach out to Richard Powell at rpowell@maine.edu for more information.

Past UMaine Projects for Peace

Note 2020 and 2021 projects will be completed in 2022 due to the pandemic.

2019: “Fostering Peace Through Access to New Educational Programs” (Sierra Leone). Stephen Kaplan, Colleen DeMaris, Alex Reppond and Abby Bernier.

2018: “South Sudanese Refugee Project” (Uganda). Tessa Lilley, Ana Eliza Souza Cunha, Camilla Horton, Emma Paradie, Emma Freeman, Ellie Damuck and Taylor Delp

2017: “Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby Project” (Senegal). Anne Fitzpatrick, Johna Doyle, Taylor Delp, Lila Lyons, Caleb Elsemore

2016: “A Platform of Peace through Shared Experiences for the Cancer Community” (USA). Matt Dexter

2015:  “L’eau, le bloc de construction de la paix” (Haiti). Michele Girard, Aoife Ryle

2014:  “Water System Improvements in La Y de La Laguna” (Ecuador). Page Caise, Laura Donovan, Benjamin Pomeroy, Nathan Roscoe, Spencer Traxler

2013:  “The Integral of Bio-Sand/Ceramic Filtration” (Honduras). Daniel Ackerman, Katie Delong, Zachary Diehl, Eliot Gagne, Christopher Hopper, Molly Kirkpatrick, Zachary Mason, Ian McDonnell (Colby College), Kellen McDonnell, Connor Smart, Bryer Sousa, Patrick Stewart, Blaine Tobin, Spencer Warmuth

Five volunteer healthcare students stand together, smiling. They all wear white shirts with blue dots, blue scrubs, and ID badges. They look ready for work outdoors, standing under a tree.
A group of people crosses a wooden bridge over a small stream in a rural area. The landscape includes tall grass and dirt mounds, with a partly cloudy sky above. The individuals walk in a single file, with one person in the foreground gesturing with both hands, suggesting an exploration or fieldwork activity in a remote location.
Partners for World health Students hold their banner and pose for a group photograph outside a remote teaching hospital.
A medical student listens to community members' concerns in a clinic.
“I’ve learned so much from working on this project – not just in terms of program development, but also in terms of myself. Traveling to Sierra Leone gave me numerous opportunities to engage with others (teachers, local authorities, university deans, etc) at a professional level, and through that I’ve discovered how difficult – yet rewarding – it can be to accurately convey your ideas. I’ve learned that when you’re passionate about something, others are able to see that, and your ideas come across through both your words and your emotions. Knowing that, I gained confidence in my ability to speak professionally, which is a skill that I will continue to nourish as I continue my college career.”
Stephen Kaplan, 2019
A large group of children wearing blue uniforms gather outdoors with their hands raised enthusiastically. Behind them are palm trees and a partly cloudy sky. In the center of the group, a University of Maine student joins in with a big smile.
A brightly lit classroom with blue walls decorated with colorful educational posters and charts. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant. Children in white shirts and gray pants, along with casually dressed adults, are gathered around desks and benches filled with papers.
Video 2019 Projects for Peace in Sierra Leone
Play
“We used our Projects for Peace funds to construct a water storage system for a community of 10,000 people in Grand-Goave, Haiti. Our facility provided 400+ gallons of water per day for the community. In addition to providing water, we wanted to provide a place where people could gather, exchange ideas, and meet. Our experience with Projects for Peace was fantastic because it allowed us to get involved with the community on a grassroots level and understand how our project would impact surrounding areas.”
Michelle Girard ’15
“The South Sudanese Refugee Project taught me it is not only important to provide healthcare, education and other forms of aid to developing nations, but equally important is to have the capacity to learn from the solidarity the Ugandans show the refugees.”
Tessa Lilley, 2018