Burkina Faso

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SAHEL REGION

BURKINA FASO

GCERF has invested USD 7 million in the country supporting 21 civil society organisations to strengthen community resilience against violent extremism. 

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  • Bougouriba
  • Ioba
  • Komoé
  • Léraba
  • Loroum
  • Noumbiel
  • Oudalan 
  • Passoré 
  • Poni
  • Seno
  • Soum 
  • Yagha
  • Yatenga
  • Zondoma 
Background and Context
Country Snapshot
Key Results
Investment Strategy
Background & Context

Understanding Violent
 Extremism in Burkina

The threat of terrorism and violent extremism have worsened in recent decades, become increasingly pronounced in the Central Sahel region of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The security challenges inherent in the sub-regional context, resulting from the increase in asymmetric threats and their various forms of manifestation as well as the outbreak of social tensions, have resulted in the advent of transitional regimes in the three countries of the Central Sahel and the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023. In this context, violent extremism has become increasingly entrenched, driven by local grievances and interconnected regional dynamics, underscoring the need for community-led approaches to prevention.

GCERF'S UNIQUE INVESTMENT MODEL

Country
 Support Mechanism

GCERF pioneers a unique model of investment designed to promote a whole-of-society approach and ensure the sustainability of our programmes. Under this model, in each partner country, we support national governments in establishing a steering committee called the Country Support Mechanism (CSM).

GCERF in Burkina Faso is working with the government  led by Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility​, through the country support mechanism, and bilateral and multilateral donors to ensure a coordinated approach to prevention. GCERF works with the Burkinabe government to support the implementation of its national action plan (2026-2030) and invests in local organisations that design and run programmes contributing to stability and resilience.

Download Country Snapshot
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
High levels of youth employment

High levels of youth unemployment remain a significant driver of violent extremism (VE) across the Central Sahel. Limited access to stable employment and livelihood opportunities leaves many young people economically vulnerable and socially marginalised, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. 

Recurrent farmer-herder conflicts

Competition over increasingly scarce natural resources—particularly land, water, and grazing areas—has intensified due to population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. In the absence of effective conflict-resolution mechanisms and adequate state presence, It can quickly escalate into violent confrontations. Extremist groups often exploit these tensions.

Longstanding governance-related grievances

For decades, many communities have experienced a deep sense of marginalisation, fuelled by weak state presence, limited access to basic public services, corruption, and low levels of trust in national and local institutions. This has undermined the social contract between citizens and the state. Extremist groups frequently exploit these grievances.

Results at a Glance

Key Results

Total amount invested (USD)
$ 0 M+
Grants
0
Civil society organisations
0
Vulnerable individuals provided with psychosocial support services to strengthen wellbeing, resilience, coping mechanisms and social reintegration within their communities
0 +
Vulnerable individuals supported with livelihood and economic assistance to enhance resilience and recovery
0 +
Community members engaged in interfaith, intercommunity and intergenerational dialogues to strengthen trust, tolerance and peaceful conflict management
0 +
Individuals equipped with skills on PVE, conflict sensitivity, critical thinking and conflict resolution
0 +

Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025

Our Approach

Investment Strategy
 in Burkina Faso

Community trust icon
Contribute to improvements in the social ecology to create conditions conducive to prevention and resilience-building
Facilitate community-led rehabilitation, disengagement, and (re)integration, including people disengaging fromcriminal, non-state armed, and violent extremist groups
Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Active Grants in Burkina Faso

Current Grants 4 Active
01 Conseil régional des Unions du Sahel
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 921,000
Duration
Jan 2026 – Dec 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Conseil régional des Unions du Sahel (CRUS)
Sub-Recipients
Fédération Nationale des Groupements Naam (FNGN)
Faso-Action pour le Développement Communautaire (FDC/BF)
Association Femmes pour la Dignité du Sahel (AFDS)
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities affected by insecurity and displacement by enhancing economic capacities and inclusive community governance.
2
Reduce marginalisation and the influence of extremist narratives by promoting social cohesion and inclusive religious education within Quranic Schools.
Areas of Implementation
Yagha Liptako Soum regions
02 Centre de Recherche et d’Intervention en Genre et Développement
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 713,000
Duration
Jan 2026 – Dec 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Centre de Recherche et d’Intervention en Genre et Développement(CRIGED)
Sub-Recipients
Action Solidaire et Développement (ASD)
Association Munyu des Femmes (AMF)
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen community resilience and social cohesion to prevent violent extremism by addressing trauma, conflict drivers, and psychosocial vulnerabilities.
2
Rebuild trust and promote sustainable peace by enhancing inclusive local governance, community dialogue, and socio-economic reintegration in conflict-affected areas.
Areas of Implementation
Djoro Tannounyan regions
03 SOS Sahel International Burkina Faso
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 725,000
Duration
Jan 2026 – Dec 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
SOS Sahel International Burkina Faso (SOSSIBF)
Sub-Recipients
Association MUNYU des femmes de Banfora dans les Cascades
Association TINTIÈTA au Sud-Ouest
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen community resilience and prevent violent extremism by improving inclusive governance, conflict-prevention mechanisms, and climate-sensitive management of natural resources.
2
Reduce structural drivers of radicalisation by promoting sustainable agrosylvopastoral livelihoods, social cohesion, and trust-building between communities and authorities.
Areas of Implementation
Djoro Tannounyan regions
04 Union Fraternelle des Croyants de Dori
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 1,219,000
Duration
Jan 2026 – Dec 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Union Fraternelle des Croyants de Dori (UFC-Dori)
Sub-Recipients
Coalition Jam
Association pour l'unité de la jeunesse et le développement en Afrique (UNIJED/Afrique)
Programme Objectives
1
Reduce the vulnerability of youth, survivors of violent extremism, and detainees by improving access to economic opportunities and integrated psychological, spiritual, and clinical support.
2
Prevent violent extremism by strengthening capacities to critically deconstruct radical ideologies and reduce exposure to extremist narratives among at-risk populations.
Areas of Implementation
Yagha Liptako Soum Goulmou and Central Plateau regions
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