Lieu
Benin & Togo
Borgou and Donga departments
Bénéficiaires
1,800 +
women and girls
Période
2022 - 2024
24 months
Objectifs spécifiques :
- Strengthening the organizational, institutional and operational capacities of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) involved in the socio-economic empowerment of young people and women. Supporting drawing up and implementing capacity-building plans. Facilitating dialogues between local authorities and CSOs to foster better coordination of interventions and stronger local leadership;
- Supporting innovative approaches developed by CSOs for the socio-professional integration of young women and men at risk. Supporting the specific needs of the beneficiaries and their socio-economic initiatives thanks to a socio-professional analysis. As a result, the young people were given access to short-term vocational training and supported in their economic integration. Basic professional skills, such as soft skills, were also developed to enhance their employability;
- Supporting economic empowerment initiatives for women and girls at risk from violent extremism. Supporting the establishment and development of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) based on the FaFa Wa approach to enable participants to develop their economic activities, thanks to coaching and mentoring. Carrying out activities to boost the self-esteem and confidence of vulnerable women, thereby strengthening their resilience;
- Providing a sustainable response to the challenges posed by radicalization and violent extremism in northern Benin using participatory and inclusive approaches. Building sustainable economic and social resiliencey by supporting CSO initiatives and strengthening the skills of target populations.
Contexte :
Northern Benin has seen a worrying rise in violent extremism since 2019, exacerbated by the deteriorating security situation in Eastern Burkina Faso and porous borders. These regional dynamics, combined with local religious, socio-economic and political factors, are fuelling a sense of abandonment and exclusion.
Poverty affects 53.3% of the population in Borgou and 43.3% in Donga, well above the national average of 38.5% in 2019. The vulnerability of young people and women, exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis and global inflation, reinforces the risk of radicalization.
Historically, this region has suffered from a lack of structuring investment and a weak state presence, leaving a vacuum exploited by extremist groups. Borgou and Donga, located in a strategic zone, are also among the departments with the lowest levels of human security. These conditions have heightened social and economic tensions, posing major challenges to regional stability.
The urgency of a Prevention of Violent Extremism through Economic Resilience Initiatives project lies in the need to address the root causes of this instability, by supporting initiatives that economically empower young people and women.
Thématiques :
Autonomisation économique
Égalité des genres
Insertion socio-professionnelle
Description du projet :
This project aims to reduce poverty, strengthen the social fabric and prevent radicalization. The current context, marked by intensifying security threats, makes this intervention crucial to curbing the spread of extremism and building lasting resilience in northern Benin.