Burkina Faso Regional Program Bi-Weekly Report

The program has 64 cleared activities, totaling $2,309,209, and 23 activities pending, totaling $1,595,741. Debating Social Cohesion Over Tea is a key initiative within the BFRP. This program utilizes informal social platforms, such as the Tea Grin, to encourage youth to openly discuss issues of stigmatization, exclusion, and xenophobia in the Sahel Region. The Tea Grin is a long-standing cultural practice in West Africa where friends gather for tea to discuss the issues of the day. BFRP, in coordination with a local community organization, provided coaching on open dialogue and facilitation techniques to one member from a local Tea Grin and one community leader. These participants then facilitated hours-long discussions in their respective Grins on selected topics, sharing concerns with representatives from the mayor's office and community leaders to engage on how best to confront the issues brought up. A facilitator stated, "We are very happy to be together and to debate and share our opinion on the issue of Violent Extremism. We took advantage of this opportunity to propose solutions, especially to emphasize social cohesion." Economic Solutions for Insecure Region is another key initiative within the BFRP. The continued threat of violent extremism in the Sahel region has had a significant effect on the local economy and people's livelihoods. Targeted killings and kidnappings of local merchants and traders have caused an economic stranglehold on the region. To address this problem set, BFRP worked with a local community organization that is active in advocating for youth employment to provide a three-day training to 50 young people, including 15 women. The beneficiaries were trained on how to draft a business plan, conduct a market assessment, identify the best funding, and adapt their microprojects to the current security context. A government-sponsored micro-finance agency recently held a call for applications for funding from December 2 to 20, and beneficiaries are actively working to apply for this opportunity. A female participant stated, "I used to think that people's applications were selected because they have well-placed relatives who defend their proposals. With this training I realized that if your business idea is clear and your documents are well-drafted, you have a chance. Now I know what to do to improve my applications." The BFRP team has planned a meeting with key local stakeholders in order to implement activities in the Est region and advocate for local leaders to stand up against violent extremist organizations (VEOs). This meeting aims to strengthen community resilience and promote local leadership in countering violent extremism. The BFRP's CVE programming in the Sahel region is focused on addressing the root causes of violent extremism, including economic and social factors, and promoting community-led initiatives to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies. The BFRP's CVE programming in the Sahel region is a critical component of the USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives' efforts to counter violent extremism in West Africa. The program's focus on community-led initiatives and economic empowerment is designed to address the root causes of violent extremism and promote community resilience. By providing training and support to local community organizations and youth, the BFRP aims to create a more stable and secure environment in the Sahel region.