Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is a non-profit organisation that originated in New York in 1975 when prisoners tried to reduce conflict inside and outside of prisons. They also worked with youths. The original body collaborated with the Quaker Project on community conflict, which resulted in the establishment of the AVP.

History
The AVP in the Free State was established in May 2006 as a part of an international volunteer movement committed to reducing interpersonal difficulties in society. Its main objectives are to rehabilitate prisoners / inmates by educating them about the skills and attitudes needed to lead a fulfilling and crime-free life.

It is an experiential programme that helps people change their lives, and since its establishment, has managed to train about 25 ordinary people to be facilitators. Their main beneficiaries are schools, government bodies, businesses, community associations, prisons and street gangs.

Programmes
Facilitators Training programme: the organisation trains other people to be facilitators in their communities and use their skills whenever they have other programmes. It mainly focuses on developing team building, leadership skills and group process skills where participants learn how to work in groups and convey the same message of crime awareness. 

This programme is divided into two sections:

1. The Basic Facilitators Training programme which takes about two days and teaches interpersonal conflict resolution skills, and
2. The Advanced Facilitators Training programme which focuses on the underlying causes of violence within ourselves and in the world we live in. It gives participants the opportunity to re-build their communities.
   

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