Improve Conflict Prevention and Security Governance in Burkina Faso

This project seeks to improve stability and security at the community level in the East Centre Nord and Boucle de Mouhoun regions of Burkina Faso in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project reinforces the key role of security governance mechanisms particularly the role of traditional and community structures as well as the role of women and youths in strengthening social cohesion and resilience in the face of security and health crises. Project activities include: (1) conducting a participative action-research process to better understand the dynamics between the various security mechanisms and the communities the obstacles and the opportunities to improve conflict management and prevention and to better protect the population of Burkina Faso; (2) engaging the relevant local stakeholders from communities authorities and security mechanisms (state customary informal) in the chosen regions to build their capacity to manage and prevent conflicts and protect the population; (3) encouraging decision makers to adopt a “conflict sensitivity” approach integrate gender and youth considerations and take into account the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on security dynamics; and (4) using awareness and training activities to facilitate the inclusion of women and gender perspectives when developing and implementing conflict prevention security management and population protection activities.

The expected outcomes for this project include : (1) peacebuilding approaches gender and youth considerations and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on local security dynamics are integrated into the strategies programs and policies of key peace and security stakeholders; (2) security management is improved in the targeted regions in a way that incorporates gender and youth considerations peacebuilding approaches and needs that are specific to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) security management practices and approaches are adapted to meet the specific needs of women and youths.