The Partnership for Effective Peacekeeping (PEP) was founded by co-chairs Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS) and Refugees International (RI) in 2001 to support U.S. legislation advocating for the creation of a UN rapid reaction peacekeeping capacity. But the challenges confronting international peacekeeping led to a wider mandate for the PEP.

Over the years, monthly meetings have evolved into peacekeeping policy forums, where advocacy organizations, practitioners, and think tanks come together to candidly discuss policy issues pertaining to peacekeeping. The PEP also holds briefings to educate Members of Congress, their staffs and the media about peacekeeping funding and related policies.

In 2008, the UN Foundation’s Better World Campaign (BWC) – a long-time PEP participant organization – became the third co-chair.

In 2009, the Henry L. Stimson Center's Future of Peace Operations program agreed to host PEP forums at the Stimson Center.