Mauritania

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SAHEL REGION

MAURITANIA

Mauritania became a GCERF partner country in 2023. GCERF has invested USD 3 million supporting 13 civil society organisations to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. 

  • locationCreated with Sketch Beta.
  • Assaba
  • Guidimakha
  • Hodh ech Chargui
  • Hodh el Gharbi
Background and Context
Country Snapshot
Key Results
Investment Strategy
Background & Context

Understanding Violent
 Extremism in Mauritania

Mauritania is often regarded as an island of relative stability in a volatile region, having largely contained violent extremist activity within its borders since 2012 through a combination of robust security measures and innovative prevention approaches, including dialogue and de-radicalisation initiatives. However, this stability masks underlying structural vulnerabilities. Deep-rooted social inequalities, exclusion, and limited access to opportunities continue to generate grievances that can be exploited by violent extremist groups. The growing presence of groups such as ama’at Nasr al‑Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) along the country’s borders, coupled with porous frontiers, regional conflict spillovers, and increasing pressures from refugee inflows, heightens the risk of infiltration and radicalisation.

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 Mauritania is working with the government, through the CSM, and bilateral and multilateral donors to ensure a coordinated approach to prevention. CSM provides strategic direction for the programmes, ensure results, and progressively inherit ownership of funding community-level efforts to prevent violent extremism.

Download Country Snapshot
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
Socio-economic pressure and limited economic opportunities

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. 

Refugees pressure and resource constraints

Mauritania hosts a significant number of Malian refugees, mainly in already economically vulnerable border regions. These areas often have limited infrastructure and constrained access to basic public services. This situation may contribute to heightened demand on local services and increased sensitivity around resource allocation. 

Regional instability and cross-border dynamics

Regional instability is a key driver of vulnerability to violent extremism in Mauritania. The country is surrounded by areas affected by conflict, particularly in Mali, where groups such as JNIM and ISGS operate. These groups benefit from porous borders and the ease of movement across the Sahel. This allows armed and extremist actors to circulate, build networks, and access support systems.

Results at a Glance

Key Results

Total amount invested (USD)
$ 0 M
Grants
0
Civil society organisations
0
community members trained in conflict management and resolution to address grievances before VE groups can exploit them
0 +
women, and youth at risk of violent extremism, farmers, pastoralists equipped with vocational skills and alternative livelihoods to reduce their vulnerability to recruitment into violent extremism
0 +
community members, government auhorities engaged through campaigns to increase their understanding of PVE and strengthen community resilience against violent extremism
0 +
community members participated in dialogues and townhalls to reduce differences, strengthen cohesion and peaceful coexistence
0 +

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

Our Approach

Investment Strategy
 in Mauritania

Community trust icon
Promote preventive approaches to radicalisation and violent extremism
Design sans titre
Create enabling environments for de-radicalisation
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Support the incubation of coordinated local PVE communities championing the Mauritanian model
Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Active Grants in Mauritania

Current Grants 3 Active
01 Appui au Développement Intégré des Communautés Rurales
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Grant Overview
Amount
USD 900,000
Duration
Jan 2024 – Jun 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Appui au Développement Intégré des Communautés Rurales (ADICOR)
Sub-Recipients
Union pour le développement
Centre Tafa
Programme Objectives
1
Improve economic resources for subsistence.
2
Strengthen the community resilience mechanism.
3
Improve the socio-political inclusion of young people.
Areas of Implementation
Hodh ech Chargui Hodh el Gharbi
02 Eco-Développement
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Grant Overview
Amount
USD 990,000
Duration
Nov 2023 – Apr 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Eco-Développement (ECODEV)
Sub-Recipients
CellRAD
SOS Exclus
Programme Objectives
1
Promote the national PVE system.
2
Provide training and financial support to Mahadra graduates.
3
Provide economical support to women and agropastoralists.
4
Support CSOs and consultation bodies.
Areas of Implementation
Hodh ech Chargui
03 Bienfaisance sans frontières
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Grant Overview
Amount
USD 503,000
Duration
Dec 2024 – Jul 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Bienfaisance sans frontières (BSF)
Sub-Recipients
LCPSCV
AFVD
Programme Objectives
1
Set up community-driven alert systems on PVE; financial support & economical training for vulnerable groups; framework for exchange and discussion between CSOs.
2
Engage religious leaders to promote peace and sionsion; the population to ease intra and inter-community tensions.
Areas of Implementation
Touil ville Tachott 1, 2 and 3 Tenaha Hamoud Aioun
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