Burkina Faso Regional Program BI-WEEKLY REPORT August 1-14, 2020

The program focuses on intergenerational dialogue and community development initiatives to address the root causes of conflict. Intergenerational Dialogue on Conflict Prevention is a key component of the BFRP. The program aims to bridge the gap between youth and elders in communities affected by violence and insecurity. In the Est region, repeated attacks have led to increased intergenerational tensions, with elders accusing youth of joining Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) and youth responding by pointing out mismanagement of local resources by elders. To address this issue, BFRP partnered with a provincial community organization to bring together representatives from different civil society organizations and local authorities for a two-day meeting. Participants agreed that the lack of transparency and inequitable sharing, as well as the exclusion of youth from decision-making, contribute to misunderstanding and frustration that can be exploited by VEOs to sow division within the community. The meeting resulted in the development of strategies to address these issues, including the establishment of fair and inclusive management practices for water sources. Beneficiaries shared what they learned during the workshop, including how to avoid conflict around the use of water sources. A village chief noted that stakeholders discussed without taboos and highlighted the real difficulties around the management of water points, leading to a greater understanding of the issues and a commitment to finding solutions. In the Nord region, attacks by VEOs and inter-community violence led to the displacement of many people, putting pressure on the dwindling water resources in the community. Frustrations and tensions related to a reduced water supply could be exploited by VEOs to divide the community. To address this issue, BFRP collaborated with local authorities to organize meetings with leaders from different communities to identify and rehabilitate broken water distribution systems. Eight key systems were identified and rehabilitated, in addition to the four that were already rehabilitated by BFRP earlier in the year. Management committees were set up to ensure proper management and maintenance of each water source, and local users were trained on their roles and responsibilities, financial management, and the operation of water distribution equipment. Training sessions also included how to foster peace and mitigate potential conflicts between host populations and displaced persons. The goal of these initiatives is to reduce tensions and promote social unity, mutual acceptance, and forgiveness within the communities.