Support community-based protection mechanisms to strengthen the protection of civilians

The goal of the project is to strengthen the protection of civilians in the border region between Benin Togo and Burkina Faso where insecurity is growing because of the expansion of non-state armed groups. The project addresses the critical needs of vulnerable border communities through the following actions: implementing inclusive community protection groups; strengthening forums for dialogue between communities civil authorities and defence and security forces (DSF); training DSF to protect civilians; and carrying out strategic advocacy with national and local (communes departments) authorities.

The expected outcomes for this project include the following: (1) strengthened gender- and conflict-sensitive self-protection practices in communities in the border areas of Benin and Togo; and (2) strengthened civilian protection practices with particular attention paid to conflict and gender sensitivity among governments defence and security forces and local representatives in these countries. The project’s ultimate outcome is for civilians including women men youth and children to suffer less harm in the border areas of Benin Togo and Burkina Faso.