The Everyday Practical Peacebuilding project group led by Dr Ortiz-Ayala (2023–2024), funded by the European Solidarity Corps in partnership with the local NGO, Culture Goes Europe (CGE)-Sociocultural initiative Erfurt, EV. continues to make a positive impact on the local community of the Willy Brand School. 

Inspired by Roger Mac Ginty’s concept of "everyday peace," which refers to the informal, subtle, and routine practices that individuals and communities employ to navigate, mitigate, and sometimes resist violence in their daily lives, this project explores the role of interpersonal interactions in fostering peace. While the concept of everyday peace is often associated with deeply divided societies that have experienced intense violent conflict, it is also highly relevant to contemporary societies where violence manifests in forms such as xenophobia, discrimination, and racism. In these contexts, individuals may engage in narratives that justify violence against certain groups, making everyday peace a crucial counterforce to such divisive tendencies. Complementing this perspective, Katerina Standish’s work within peace and conflict studies highlights the importance of positive encounters, presenting "encounters" as moments of interaction that can either reinforce division or foster peace. Her research conceptualizes encounters as opportunities for individuals to engage across differences, negotiate social norms, and challenge prejudices, thereby contributing to peacebuilding at the interpersonal level.

The integration of everyday peace and encounters theory serves as a vital complement to traditional top-down approaches to peacebuilding by emphasizing the agency of ordinary people in shaping peace at the grassroots level. This project group followed both theoretical lenses to foster and train individuals in recognizing the power of their micro-level agency, demonstrating how everyday peace is enacted not by formal peacebuilders but through small yet significant acts of peace-making in daily interactions. These acts include maintaining social interactions across ethnic, religious, or political divides, and resisting conflict dynamics by refusing to engage in violence, sustaining intergroup relationships, or supporting those affected by violence. Through these everyday practices, individuals contribute to disrupting cycles of hostility and fostering a more inclusive and peaceful society.

Consequently, the project has allocated a portion of its remaining funds provided by the European Solidarity Corps to support the Global Bio Gardens (GBG) initiative. Despite being established years before the Everyday Peace Project, GBG exemplifies local efforts to foster positive encounters between the host community and migrants in Erfurt, aligning with similar goals of promoting peaceful coexistence. The Global Bio Gardens is an autonomous, multicultural, sustainable, and socially inclusive organic farming project based at the University of Erfurt. Utilizing Demeter-certified seeds supplied by Annegret Rose, GBG brings together participants from over ten countries, including students, professionals, and families. This diverse group creates a unique learning environment centered around organic agriculture and cultural exchange. Beyond cultivation, GBG serves as a platform for international students to develop startup projects and collaborates with the on-campus kindergarten (KITA), providing children with a dedicated plot at the garden's entrance. GBG welcomes not only student gardening enthusiasts but also community members who share a passion for diversity and organic farming.

The Master’s Specialization in Conflict Studies and Management at the University of Erfurt aims to enrich students' learning experiences by encouraging direct interaction with the local community. Through engagement in projects like Global Bio Gardens, students apply their academic knowledge to real-world contexts, promoting peace and non-violent interactions. This hands-on approach not only enhances their educational journey but also contributes to the social fabric of Erfurt, fostering integration and mutual understanding among diverse groups.

Collectively, these initiatives underscore a commitment to environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and community engagement, leveraging organic farming and educational programs as vehicles for positive change.