Burkina Faso Regional Program BI-WEEKLY Report February 1-14, 2020

BFRP's CVE programming focuses on addressing the root causes of extremism, including social cohesion, economic vulnerability, and community tensions. In the Nord region, BFRP trained 80 participants, mainly youth from various ethnic groups, on identifying the drivers of conflicts and promoting social cohesion. Following these trainings, a radio call-in partnership was established to openly discuss tensions between communities. A community-owned radio station provided space for a set of shows in which women, youth, and religious leaders discussed the stigmatization and marginalization exploited by extremists to sow division and fear. The group of women emphasized the need for all community members to prioritize and strengthen social cohesion. BFRP also implemented training for resilient youth and women in Nord, focusing on income-generating activities to tackle unemployment and increase financial independence. The program partnered with a local NGO to provide training on entrepreneurship and techniques for launching and managing income-generating activities for 200 vulnerable youth and women. These trainings included discussions on violent extremism and how to counter recruitment by violent extremist organizations. An additional 105 women and youths were trained during four weeks on specific jobs such as motorcycle repair, carpentry, hairdressing, and shoemaking. Community leaders in the Nord region have taken steps to mitigate tensions, seeking help from BFRP to train community leaders as "peace ambassadors." These local citizens are now playing a significant role in solving disputes and reducing tensions in a context where there is increased pressure on dwindling resources, especially water resources required for internally displaced persons and host populations. BFRP is also helping repair several water points throughout the commune and providing a much-needed resource to a community in need. The BFRP's CVE programming in Nord, Sahel, and Est regions aims to address the root causes of extremism and promote community resilience. By focusing on social cohesion, economic vulnerability, and community tensions, BFRP is working to create a more stable and secure environment in the region. The program's efforts to train community leaders, promote income-generating activities, and provide essential resources such as water are critical components of this effort.