Support for accessible and quality information in the Sahel

This project aims to consolidate social cohesion in Burkina Faso Mali and Niger by addressing conflict triggers including online information monitoring. It also aims to promote credible factual and constructive information. The project focuses on a regional approach by supporting national early warning systems that allow a collaborative risk management approach. This regional approach adopts greater flexibility to redeploy activities to other areas when required. Project activities include: (1) creating a digital threat monitoring training program for civil society actors; (2) producing and disseminating positive and inclusive message on social medias in response to violent digital threats and disinformation; and (3) organizing local national and regional forums to facilitate the coordinated positive and inclusive management of digital threats with civil society local authorities law enforcement and security forces. More than 1400 government and civil society leaders will participate in the platforms to share information and best practices linked to identifying digital threats and related responses. The beneficiaries will come from local national and regional levels and various ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) strengthened skills of civil society including women's and youth groups to recognize detect and limit the dissemination of false and disruptive messages within targeted communities in Burkina Faso Mali and Niger; (2) strengthened skills of civil society in the production and dissemination of objective verified and gender- and conflict-sensitive information that promotes social cohesion in Burkina Faso Mali and Niger; and (3) concerted management between Burkina Faso Mali and Niger of the risks of social unrest related to false and disruptive information circulating in the region.