Where We Work

Burkina Faso

Context

GCERF delineates the Sahel within the context of the Group of Five Countries for the Sahel, also known as G5 Sahel, the intergovernmental body to promote regional cooperation in development and security matters. Our focus is on the central Sahel region covering Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Our engagement in the region will directly bolster the implementation of National Action Plans of the three countries working in partnership with local, national, regional, and global partners. Our work began in Mali in 2016 followed by Burkina Faso and Niger in 2021.

The Sahel is one of the most deprived regions in the world. It is home to several fragile and conflict-affected states, each ranking low on the UN Human Development Index and beset by multidimensional conflicts. These conflicts have created fertile environments for violent extremism and organised crime in an already fragile regional context. The region is also a source of criminal activities, including human trafficking and the smuggling of people, drugs, and weapons.

Burkina Faso is currently 2 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2023. According to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index, there is a 50% increase in deaths due to terrorism in Burkina Faso. Deaths in the Sahel constituted 43% of the global total of terrorism deaths in 2022, compared to just one percent in 2007. 

The main drivers of violent extremism are youth unemployment, farmer/herder conflicts and governance-related grievances. VE groups exploit these tensions and insecurities by communicating narratives of injustice and by providing protection in exchange for loyalty.

STORIES FROM THE GROUND

The leader is like a key that can open both good and bad doors. That is why I call on all religious and community leaders to be the keys that open the right doors by spreading goodness, tolerance and humanity around us.

– Grand Imam of Dori, at exchange sessions with religious and community leaders

Pathways to Change

The programme in Burkina Faso aims to:

  1. Reduce the socio-economic vulnerability of pastoralists, young women and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
  2. Strengthen community watch mechanisms for detection, monitoring and prevention of violent radicalisation and extremism.
  3. Support victims of violent extremism through psychosocial care and support for their successful socio-economic integration.

These will be achieved through activities including:

  1. Pastoralists and IDP trainings on micro-entrepreneurship and Income-Generating Activities (IGA) including a set up for revolving funds for IGA initiatives.
  2. Vocational and professional traineeship for Koranic students.
  3. Capacity-building sessions for community and religious leaders on hosting community talks promoting social cohesion.
  4. Creation of dialogue and consultation spaces for pastoralists and other land and natural resources users on social cohesion and living together.
  5. Production and broadcasting of advocacy radio programmes on social cohesion and governing rural land.
  6. Capacity-building for members of local peace structures on conflict mediation and community participation in security prevention.
  7. Assistance to local authorities including annual communal consultation frameworks promoting peaceful coexistence.
  8. Community and religious leader events on tolerance, youth education drivers of violent radicalisation.
  9. Training governing rural land tenure and pastoralism for community leaders, local leaders, farmers, and pastoralists.
  10. Group and individual therapy sessions for victims of violent extremism suffering from depression.
  11. messages of peace through radio and cultural performances.
  12. Messages of peace through radio and cultural performances.
  13. Training for police officers, judges and correction officers when working with children who were victims of VE groups.
  14. Support groups for children who were victims of VE to provide psycho-social support.
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  • Capacity-building sessions for community and religious leaders.
  • Production and broadcasting of advocacy radio programmes on social cohesion and governing rural land.

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  • Assistance to local authorities including annual communal consultation frameworks promoting peaceful coexistence.

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  • Pastoralists and IDPs training on micro-entrepreneurship and Income-Generating Activities (IGA) including revolving funds for IGA initiatives.
  • Vocational and professional traineeship for Koranic students.
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  • Group and individual therapy sessions for victims of violent extremism suffering from depression.
Local Partners in Burkina Faso <br>

Local Partners in Burkina Faso

PARTNER IN OUR WORK

Invest in the
Future of Burkina Faso

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Peace, Justice & Strong Institution

Peace, Justice & Strong Institution

No Poverty

Quality Education

Quality Education

Gender Equality

Gender Equality

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Reduced Inequalities

Reduced Inequalities

Partnership for The Goals

Partnership for The Goals

These goals are based on those set forward in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nation Member States in 2015