USAID Snapshot: Income Generating Activities for the Youth in Burkina Faso Regional Program

Hundreds of Burkinabe fled their villages, increasing the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), including youth with limited economic or educational backgrounds. To counter VEO recruitment, USAID/OTI's BFRP collaborated with a local Association to train 98 youth, including 40 women, in entrepreneurship. The training program consisted of workshops on various income-generating activities, such as animal husbandry, farming, hairstyling, and motorcycle repair. Each workshop included modules on business skills, such as sales, financial management, and transaction negotiation. The opportunity to learn these skills helped many youth to avoid turning to VEOs for financial support. A 28-year-old mother of three, who had struggled to earn a regular income, participated in the animal husbandry training program. She received two young rams and, using skills learned in the training, raised them to market weight. In six months, she was able to sell the rams for approximately $180, which enabled her to meet her family's basic needs without relying on others. She saved part of her earnings to purchase two more rams, planning to take advantage of the upcoming grass season to fatten the animals for market. The training program not only strengthened the business skills of participants but also contributed to their engagement as community members. Some participants donated part of their earnings to a local women's organization to implement income-generating activities for other vulnerable women. A participant explained that they gave about $94 to assist other young women because they knew that every small gesture can help change one life for the better. The BFRP's training program demonstrated its effectiveness in countering VEO recruitment and promoting economic stability among youth. By providing entrepreneurship training and income-generating activities, the program empowered youth to become self-sufficient and engaged community members. The program's success has the potential to be replicated in other regions, contributing to a more stable and prosperous Burkina Faso.