As a consequence of systematic migration of Christian Filipinos to Mindanao in the late 1960s and state-sponsored resettlement programmes, Mindanao underwent a significant demographic change, turning the once Muslim majority population into a minority. This demographic shift led several armed opposition groups to take up arms and struggle for an independent state. Despite being a major breadbasket of the Philippines, Mindanao has suffered from armed conflict, natural disasters, crime, violence, and clan feuds, causing significant internal displacement. This has resulted in poor living conditions and a lack of basic resources such as food, shelter, and livelihood opportunities for the affected population.

Peace Talks between one of the armed opposition groups, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Government of the Philippines (GoP) culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. This agreement established that MILF combatants living in six camps across the island would undergo a decommissioning and normalization process. The aim was to reintegrate them into society, providing dignified livelihood opportunities, access to public services, and opportunities for political participation. In 2019, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was established, replacing the former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

A study conducted by the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2017 showed that BARMM had a 37.9 percent birth registration rate, the lowest among all regions, and the second lowest in 2020 and 2021. Many former MILF combatants and their family members do not have a birth certificate, which means they do not exist legally and therefore lack access to basic services such as health, nutrition, education, housing, and socio-economic support. The lack of a birth certificate and other civil registration documents is a significant obstacle to the reintegration of former combatants, a priority overseen by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) in coordination with several joint GoP and MILF task forces.

The EU has provided ongoing support to the peace process in Mindanao to help former MILF combatants and their families return to normal life, strengthen BARMM institutions during the transition phase, and contribute to the region's socio-economic development. The intervention Access to Legal Identity and Social Services for Decommissioned Combatants (ALIAS DC) is a direct grant awarded under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) as part of the Mindanao Peace and Development Programme – Peace and Development in the BARMM, with a total EU contribution of EUR 24.5 million, out of which the intervention receives EUR 1.1 million. The Action is part of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for the Philippines from 2014-2020. The Implementing Partner (IP) is the Filipino non-governmental organisation IDEALS (Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services).