Burkina Faso Regional Program BI-WEEKLY REPORT February 15-28, 2020

Training on leatherwork adaptations in the Nord region aims to address socio-economic challenges that drive individual and community-level feelings of exclusion, marginalization, and neglect. These feelings make individuals susceptible to alternative opportunities offered by violent extremists and/or criminal enterprises. To address this, BFRP works with local partners to provide vocational training to economically vulnerable groups. In the Nord region, BFRP collaborated with a local non-governmental organization (NGO) to enhance the capacity of 25 displaced young people to produce various products, including shoes, bags, and key rings, using locally sourced materials such as leather. Participants acquired new leatherwork techniques and engaged in discussions about violent extremist organizations (VEOs) and their negative impact on community dynamics. They also learned ways to bolster community resilience in the face of extremist group incentives to join their ranks. Participants plan to revitalize the local leather market by providing quality handmade products to support themselves and their families. In the Sahel region, BFRP engaged a private local company to build the capacity of 300 local volunteer interpreters. These interpreters provide translation for community members engaged in judicial and civil service matters and serve as interlocutors between community members and security forces. However, they lack formal training. The training program includes a five-day intensive course with practical and role-playing exercises focused on word choice, interpretation ethics, and conflict-mitigation measures. A glossary of key terms in local languages pertaining to key community matters is also being developed. The training of volunteer interpreters aims to improve communication and conflict management in the Sahel region. Many appointed government officials do not speak the local languages, and the misuse of a word could inadvertently increase tensions. The training program has already trained 125 volunteers, and all 300 will be trained by the end of May 2020. Participants have expressed appreciation for the training, citing the importance of faithful message transmission while avoiding insults or rude words. The BFRP's CVE programming in Burkina Faso focuses on addressing socio-economic challenges and improving communication and conflict management. The program's activities aim to build community resilience and prevent individuals from being drawn to violent extremist organizations. By providing vocational training and improving communication, the BFRP seeks to create a more stable and secure environment in the Nord, Sahel, and Est regions.