Burkina Faso Regional Program BI-WEEKLY REPORT July 4-17, 2020

The program focuses on building capacity in addressing violent extremism through community-level initiatives. BFRP partners have developed community-level CVE training materials, but their quality and effectiveness vary. To address this, BFRP partnered with an expert consultant to create a community-level CVE training toolkit for local facilitators. The toolkit was designed to address the specific needs of local Burkinabe facilitators, including local leaders, women, and youth. BFRP organized CVE training sessions for grantees working with youth and women, focusing on discussing the social, economic, and political dynamics of violent extremism and suggesting ways to foster stability in their communities. During the training, participants highlighted the role of Burkinabe women in supporting violent extremist organizations. Women participants emphasized the need for awareness-raising activities, including among women’s groups, to communicate the dangers of joining violent extremist organizations. The training also highlighted the importance of promoting awareness and understanding of the dangers of violent extremism. In the Nord region, BFRP is working with local partners to provide vocational training to economically vulnerable groups. The program identifies and pilots new economic opportunities in areas hit hard by violent extremist attacks. BFRP collaborated with a local NGO to build the capacity of 25 displaced young craftspersons to produce shoes, bags, and key rings using locally sourced materials. Participants acquired new leatherwork techniques and discussed the negative impact of violent extremism on community dynamics. The program also provided on-the-job coaching opportunities to enhance the participants' skills and knowledge. In the Sahel region, community members have shown solidarity in the face of adversity. In 2020, a spontaneous show of solidarity emerged among people of different ethnic backgrounds after heavy rains destroyed many homes. This positive interaction was facilitated by BFRP's efforts to promote community cohesion through training local leaders on techniques to diffuse tensions. BFRP also recorded messages of peace and broadcast them through local radio stations, promoting a better understanding of living harmoniously together and building a stronger community.