The cross-border project "Youth and Peace," which spanned from 2019 to 2021 in Mali and Burkina Faso, has made significant strides in promoting peace and empowering young people in conflict prevention and management. Two regional action plans were formulated for the North and Sahel regions, focusing on enhancing the capacity of local structures and mechanisms to better integrate and engage young individuals. These action plans are crucial for fostering sustainable peace by equipping the youth with the tools and knowledge they need to contribute positively to their communities.

The following was implemented and significantly contributed to fostering peace and inclusivity in the regions:

• 4 advocacy workshops were conducted for community leaders (traditional and customary chiefs, griots, religious leaders) on the role of young people in the prevention and management of conflicts
• 2 intergenerational meetings on the importance of the inclusiveness of state and non-state mechanisms and structures for conflict prevention and management in Burkina and at cross-border level were organized in the regions. 612 young people participated.
• Sensitization workshops for 150 leaders of youth organizations on the integrated youth strategy of the G5 Sahel in the northern and Sahel regions were carried out.
• Dissemination United Nations Security Council resolutions 1325 and 2250 with 200 young people in the two regions.
• Rehabilitation and equipment of 2 multifunctional youth centers in the municipalities of Thiou and Gorom-Gorom

Furthermore, as part of the "Support for the promotion and protection of young peacebuilders and human rights defenders in the Sahel, North and East Regions" project implemented in 2021-2022, the following was accomplished: 

• 500 young people trained in protection and monitoring and reporting of human rights, management of gender-sensitive data and emergency plans, entrepreneurship, and management of micro-enterprises
• Organization of advocacy with customary, traditional, and religious leaders for the involvement and consideration of the specific needs of young people in conflict prevention and management mechanisms
• 500 young people were given start-up kits for income-generating activities to strengthen their empowerment.
• Community dialogues and round tables on the role of young people in the prevention and management of conflicts.
• 26 young people trained in mobile journalism (MoJo) and 12 MoJo kits were distributed for the production and dissemination of content that promotes their contribution to peace and social cohesion.
• Two rehabilitated, equipped multifunctional centers are operational in Diapaga and Ouahigouya.

ACTIONS IN PROCESS

Support to the Ministry of Youth (YouthConnekt Burkina) in drawing up an action plan for the implementation of Resolution 2250.

Cameroon has been facing complex security challenges for more than a decade, with a security crisis in the Far North region due to attacks by the Islamist group Boko Haram and inter-community conflicts and a socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions leading to attacks and massacres of civilian populations, kidnappings, attacks. Women, children, adolescents and young people, and people with disabilities remain the people most affected by these crises. Young people are both considered as victims but also actors as they are among the first victims of radicalization and conflict. Their participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts is therefore essential to the establishment of a lasting peace. It is in this sense that UNFPA has been contributing since 2018 to the preparation and implementation of specific projects aimed at preventing violent extremism and radicalization among young people on the one hand and strengthening the participation of young people in the peacebuilding process.

In terms of projects, two flagship projects were implemented between 2019 and 2021. These are:

Stabilization and recovery of communities affected by the security crisis in the Far North of Cameroon project

The joint project funded by the PBF and implemented by IOM, UNFPA and FAO has made it possible to strengthen the strategic pillars of local governance, economic recovery and social cohesion, in order to contribute to the improvement community interactions to support the peacebuilding efforts as well as the improvement of the quality of life of the targeted communities in the Far North region of Cameroon, specifically in the 06 communes most affected by the insecurity in the departments of Logone and Chari, Mayo Sava and Mayo-Tsanaga.

Youth and stabilization for peace and security in the Far North region of Cameroon project

This project funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP during the period from May 02, 2019, to April 30, 2021, in the departments of Logone and Chari, Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga, had the overall objective of contributing to stabilization for peace and security in the Far North region of Cameroon. The activities of the YSPS project focused on actions to prevent violent extremism among young people, through the promotion of tolerance to prevent radicalization among young people; the reintegration of ex-hostages and ex-associates; prevention of further recruitment of young people into Boko Haram groups; and increasing positive opinion on the impact of project activities in reducing the risk of radicalization.

In terms of results, these three projects have made it possible to strengthen the daily life skills of 40,000 young people to resist hate speech to prevent recruitment into armed gangs through community mechanisms carried out by trained young peace ambassadors. Above all, they have made it possible to provide holistic care for more than 5,000 particularly affected adolescents and young people, in particular victims of abuses, ex-hostages/associates, and host populations, in an approach of social cohesion and to take charge of nearly 300 women and girl survivors of gender-based violence.

This holistic care included psychosocial support, vocational training, citizenship education and support for socio-economic integration through youth guidance centres.

These projects which ended in 2021, served as a lever for the submission of a new PBF project which will contribute to consolidating the achievements and strengthening the role of young people in peacebuilding processes.

Support for the implementation of the agenda on youth, peace and security in Cameroon

As part of the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 2250, 2419 and 2535 in Cameroon, the Government of Cameroon set up in February 2023, with the support of its partners including UNFPA, a Commission National Youth Peace and Security composed of government actors, civil society, and youth organizations. To make this commission operational, we provided support for capacity building of its members and youth organizations on the process of developing the National Action Plan for Youth, Peace, and Security. This process will be supported during the implementation of the future project funded by PBF.

In the last two years, UNFPA Guinea Bissau Country Office has been contributing to the YPS agenda advancement by supporting youth initiatives that are intrinsically linked to the Peace architecture in the country. 

This support escalated to youth-targeted initiatives aiming to increase their participation and unleash their full potential in their contribution to a peaceful society. Support included but not limited to capacity building for youth movements to advocate for their rights including access and participation in decision-making spheres. 

For supporting the development of the youth sector, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports through the National Youth Institute in partnership with UNFPA conducted a study to assess the capacities of youth organizations throughout the country in 2022 including their statutes, intervention areas. The assessment of the capacities of youth organizations followed the cartography of youth associations in Guinea-Bissau carried out by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports through the National Youth Institute and was finalized and presented in the first quarter of 2022. 

In total, 497 youth organizations were identified at national level, of which a total of 398 were active at the time of the mapping. This report brought recommendations for strengthening the capacity of youth organizations and Youth Institute and served as one of the baseline to a recently approved PBF funded project, “Inclusive policies and institutions for a peaceful society: strengthening the social fabric and fostering youth meaningful participation in decision making in Guinea-Bissau”,  which aims at supporting both youth public institutions and youth platform and organizations for youth greater participation in the development process.  In a bid to increasingly support youth, UNFPA understands that to successfully reach the three transformative objectives, (a) ending unmet need for family planning; (b) ending preventable maternal deaths; (c) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.  Both the Government institution responsible for youth and the very youth platform and organizations need to improve their organizational capacity.

Under the PBF Political Stabilization project I & II, the committee has commissioned a national survey on the Youth Political parties to be launched in May 2023 comprising a road map on how to mainstream the national Youth Political Agenda and ignite a widespread lobby and advocacy at national level.

Hence, in 2022, following extensive consultation with the National Youth Institute, youth platforms, organizations and networks, and was successfully awarded, under the PBF YPI, a 2 years’ project to support youth capacity building in Guinea Bissau. The initiative comprises institutional support to the Youth Institute as well as that of the youth Networks. Youth leadership with a particular focus in young girl’s leadership capacity building are the main focus of the current project. 

From 2019 to 2021, UNFPA, UN Women (UNW), and Search For Common Ground collaborated on a joint project titled "Communication and Awareness-Raising for Social Cohesion in CAR" in the Central African Republic (CAR). The project aimed to contribute to achieving lasting peace in CAR and creating an environment conducive to sustainable development. The primary focus was on involving women and young people extensively while promoting various initiatives related to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and national reconciliation. This effort aligned with the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (APPR), which was signed in Bangui on February 6, 2019. The project supported the CAR Government's endeavors to popularize the APPR and directly aligned with the communication strategy developed by the Ministry of Communication and Media to promote the agreement.

UNFPA has achieved the following results:

1. 300 leaders of women's and youth organizations (girls/boys) were trained on the content of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation. The initial goal was to train 240 leaders and therefore recorded a 125% success rate.
2. 344 people (member of the government, deputies, economic advisors, FSI and APPR body) out of a target of 500 (68%), were reached by the advocacy meetings
3. A survey on participatory analysis of the needs and aspirations of adolescents and young people was conducted. The validated document is available
4. 89,850 people out of a target of 96,000 or 93.59% were reached by the institutional advocacy campaign for a fair and equitable representation of women and youth in the implementation bodies of the APPR and other peace processes in CAR and trained on citizen monitoring of public policies
5. 285 youth and women leaders out of 240, or 118.75%, participated successively in the Youth-Peace-Security and Women-Peace and Security symposium.
6. 622 women and young people (girls/boys) out of 360, or 172.78%, were trained on monitoring public policies.
7. 32,797 people out of a target of 30,000 or 109.32% participated in awareness-raising activities on APPR initiated by leaders of youth and women's organizations at the community level in the implementation areas.
8. 93 out of 90 members of local peace and reconciliation committees, or 103.33%, have benefited from capacity building, and have accomplished their missions by integrating the Do No Harm and the HRDDP Approach.
9. 335 out of 100 vulnerable beneficiaries, or 335%, have developed an income-generating activity
10. 9122 people (men/women/youth) out of 7500, or 121% took part in cultural and sports activities organized in the project localities

In Chad UNFPA is currently working within the framework of the Peace Building Fund on 3 projects.

Inclusive and peaceful institutional and political transition in Chad (Ends: May 11, 2023): UNFPA collaborates with UNDP and OHCHR in a project focused on promoting a peaceful institutional and political transition in Chad. The goal is to enhance social cohesion and inclusion by engaging young people, women, people with disabilities, and local actors in the National Dialogue. The aim is to foster their representation and advocacy for their interests.

Gender Equality Observatory (Ends: May 16, 2024): UNFPA leads a project in partnership with FAO and OHCHR to establish the Observatory for the Promotion of Gender Equality and Equity (OPEG). This body collects, analyzes, and produces both quantitative and qualitative data on gender equality. The data aims to strengthen social cohesion and contribute to the socio-economic empowerment of women. The project seeks to foster gender equality and equity.

Youth Participation and Dialogue (Ongoing since December 2022): UNFPA, along with UNICEF, leads a project that started in December 2022. This project focuses on strengthening intergenerational and inter-party relations to facilitate the civic and political involvement of young people in a secure and peaceful environment. The project aims to enhance the institutional environment for youth participation in decision-making mechanisms, promote inclusive governance, and foster dialogue between youth and public institutions.

UNFPA The Gambia through the Peace Building Fund (PBF) funded Project titled “Young Women and Men as Stakeholders in Ensuring Peaceful Democratic Processes and Advocates in the Prevention of Violence and Hate Speech” has made significant contributions towards political awareness, participation, and inclusion of young individuals in peaceful democratic processes, specifically by strengthening their capacity to advocate against hate speech within their communities in the Gambia.

Since the inception of the PBF project, 2,128 young men and women in the seven administrative regions were engaged and trained through intergenerational dialogue sessions and other innovative initiatives between young people and security forces, civil society organizations, and political actors. This has fostered mutual understanding, respect for the rule of law, and maintenance of peace and stability, thereby increasing the participation of young people in traditional community conflict mitigation and as agents of peace and social cohesion. As a result, young individuals within the target communities are now actively participating in peace initiatives, political engagement, and conflict resolution.

Furthermore, the project has played a significant role in combating fake news and hate speech, particularly within the media and political arena. Throughout the country, media professionals and youth leaders have shown a keen interest in the information ecosystem, having been made aware of the role of media in triggering conflict. To this end, the project has trained 80 journalists and 120 youth leaders on fact-checking, conflict-sensitive reporting, and media and information literacy.

Key Highlights of the Project:

She Champions Peace: The She Champions Peace initiative leverages on the influential power of women to advance sustainable peace and development at the grassroots level through capacity building and step-down trainings. Through this initiative, training programs were launched in seven regions bringing together influential women, including persons with disability. The training sessions equipped the selected women with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in peacebuilding, particularly in the areas of Youth Peace and Security and Women Peace and Security. Additionally, the program focused on how these women could effectively apply landmark resolutions to promote the involvement of young women in peacebuilding and decision-making processes.

Bading Bung: The 'Bading Bung' is a community peacebuilding mechanism that places communities at the heart of peace processes. It uses traditional approach of resolving disputes in our communities by leveraging on existing community structures to address issues among community members without resulting to violence. This approach has offered a solution for achieving long-lasting peace within communities.

See video highlight: https://youtu.be/y7OEC7OSYtA

Intergeneration Dialogues: A series of intergenerational and intersectoral dialogues were held to promote peacebuilding. Participants included youth and adults, political parties, security forces, and traditional leaders. The discussions focused on a range of topics, such as conflict management, civic rights and responsibilities, community policing, and the roles of security forces, youth, and politicians in maintaining peace before, during, and after elections. The dialogues played a crucial role in promoting peace during the 2022 parliamentary elections. Prior to the dialogues, there was a lack of tolerance between the security forces and young people. However, after the dialogues, there was a significant increase in awareness of the benefits of political tolerance, adherence to the rule of law, and recognition of civic rights. 

Youth Peace and Security Situation Room: A youth situation room and crisis centre was established as robust early warning tools to provide inputs into national early warning mechanisms around governance and legislative reform processes, social cohesion, and peace consolidation. These tools have been used to support advocacy for a rapid, inclusive, and balanced response to rising risks of violence in the country.

The UNFPA, FAO, and UNDP are collaborating on a project in Sierra Leone aimed at empowering youth at risk to contribute to sustained peace, community resilience, and social cohesion. This initiative, funded by the United Nations Peace-Building Fund (PBF), focuses on the Tonkolili and Kenema districts. 

Working in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, and with funding from the United Nations Peace-Building Fund (PBF), FAO, UNDP and UNFPA are implementing an integrated project aimed at empowering youths at risk to become resources for sustained peace, community resilience and social cohesion in the targeted districts. The project works to empower and reintegrate youth at risk, by providing increased possibilities for youth to participate in decision-making spaces and for securing their sustainable livelihoods, while increasing access to prevention and protection services.

The project works with non-governmental and civil society organisations, local institutions, state entities and line Ministries with the lead ministry being the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Working with the Fambul Initiative Network for Equality Sierra Leone (FINE-SL) to engage men and boys as agents of change in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) and awareness of the negative societal impacts of violence and other harmful practices against women and girls.

KEY PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Over 80 key stakeholders from implementation districts were engaged in consultative dialogue sessions and agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding that reflected mutually on supportive roles to be used as comportments to reduce or end drug abuse, GBV, youth and gang related violence, teenage pregnancy and child marriage and reporting of perpetuators.
2. 18 husbands’ schools have been formed to train both male and female counterparts on GBV prevention, SRHR including FP and maternal newborn health. After graduation, they become ‘lead fathers’, ‘lead mothers’ and mentors in their respective communities reinforcing the upbringing, caregiving, prevention of GBV, child marriage and zero tolerance to FGM.
3. 90 Male Advocacy Peer Educators (MAPES) from 18 target communities were carefully selected to serve as role models to young boys who champion non-violence and the protection of women and girls from GBV. They promote SRH and related issues, lead the establishment and operation of ‘husbands’ and ‘boys’ clubs and track progress made in their communities for SGBV reduction.
4. 362 youth at risk (men and boys aged 15-24) were organized into twenty-six (26) youth clubs, appointed as leads and trained to sensitize their peers and other community members on SRH and GBV prevention and response.
5. Two Crisis Drop-In Centers were established (one in each implementation district) for the coordination of MAPE activities at chiefdom levels, data collection and referrals of GBV and related issues.

SUMARRY ON THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT TO BENIFICIARIES

The project has had a very positive impact on local peace-building and social cohesion in the target areas. The level of crime and violence associated with youth at risk and cliques/gangs has drastically reduced as reported by communities and local security providers. Behavioural change on the part of the beneficiaries is evident, with a significant reduction in anti-social and risky behaviours such as theft, fighting, aggression, and substance abuse, a result of the wide range of training and counselling activities ranging from civic education, youth leadership, conflict resolution and gender, as well as of their preoccupation with project activities.

UNFPA in Guinea is a dedicated player in peacebuilding initiatives, especially in the "youth, peace, and security" domain. It has led and coordinated innovative projects in collaboration with other organizations, focusing on promoting peace and social cohesion. Over the past 6 years, several projects have been undertaken:

Prevention of Radicalization Project (2017-2019): This project, led by UNFPA in partnership with UNESCO and IOM, aimed to reduce the risks of religious radicalization and violent extremism in 13 at-risk prefectures. Measures included strengthening state capacities, supporting Franco-Arab schools, Koranic centers, and establishing early warning mechanisms. Project Budget. 1,531,063 USD including 655,326 USD for UNFPA. 

• https://mptf.undp.org/project/00108357

Youth Participation in Local Governance Project (2019-2020): UNFPA, UNICEF, and UNESCO collaborated on this project, establishing Local Youth Councils (CLJs) in 20 conflict-prone municipalities. CLJs acted as advisory bodies to promote youth participation in local governance, conflict prevention, and social cohesion. Project Budget:1,442,360 USD including 679,343 USD for UNFPA. 

• https://mptf.undp.org/sites/default/files/documents/35000/pbf-irf-264-rapport_etude_de_base_papjgl.pdf
• https://guinea.unfpa.org/fr/video/le-conseil-local-des-jeunes-une-initiative-qui-promeut-la-participation-des-jeunes-au

Taxi-Biker Violence Reduction Project (2020-2021): UNFPA led this project with UNDP and OIM, targeting young taxi-bikers to transform them into agents of peace during electoral periods. Project Budget :1,250,295 USD including 540,885 USD for UNFPA. 

• https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/content/guinea-0

Strengthening Social Cohesion in Forest Guinea (2021-2022): UNFPA, IOM, and OHCHR established the AJELCOP initiative, breaking the cycle of violence in the Guinée Forestière region by creating 14 associations committed to economic activities, social cohesion, and peace consolidation. Project Budget :1,427,915 USD including 489,525 USD for UNFPA.

• https://mptf.undp.org/project/00125576

In the current phase (2023-2024), UNFPA is involved in projects to support young people's participation in a peaceful and inclusive transition, enhance women's engagement in Guinea's transition, and strengthen social cohesion and national reconciliation. Moreover, a future project aims to prevent conflicts among cross-border communities between Guinea and Mali.

Throughout these projects, UNFPA has taken a leading role in partnering with other agencies to promote peace, social cohesion, youth engagement, and gender inclusion in Guinea.

Current projects (2023-2024)

Support for the participation of young people (women and men) for a peaceful and inclusive transition. Led by UNFPA (lead agency), UNDP and UNESCO. Budget: 2,049,050 USD including 1,091,400 USD for UNFPA.

Support for women's participation for an inclusive and peaceful transition in the Republic of Guinea. Led by UNFPA (lead agency), UNDP and UNICEF. Budget: 2,151,770 USD including 1,002,590 USD for UNFPA.

Support to strengthen social cohesion and national reconciliation. Led by UN-Human Rights (lead agency), UNDP and UNFPA. Budget: 3,204,998 USD including 688,010 USD for UNFPA.

Project in perspective

Support for the prevention of conflicts between cross-border communities in Guinea – Mali. Led by UNDP (lead agency), UNFPA and UNODC. Budget: 4,226,050 USD including 700,850USD for UNFPA.

Nigeria’s population is largely youthful with 63% of its estimated 200 million population 24 years old or younger. Decades of underinvestment in the education and health of many Nigerians, in tandem with long running challenges with broad-based growth and job creation, have combined with other governance challenges to create an environment with significant security, governance, and political challenges.

Addressing the diverse forms of violence and conflict will require a comprehensive and sustainable approach that targets and responds to the structural causes of conflict and leverages on concentric partnerships at local, state and federal levels.

UNFPA is supporting the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) which is leading and responsible for guidance, coordination and technical advice on youth and sports in the country.

Support was given to the FMYSD to print and launch the National Action Plan on Youth Peace and security in response to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250. Nigeria is the second country in the world and the first in Africa to have adopted and implemented the UNSCR 2025.

To prevent competition and corporate accountability on the implementation of the action plan, the national coalition of networks on youth, peace and security made up of young people, youth led civil society organizations working on peace and security was formed. UNFPA is not involved in the national coalition meetings but provides funds and supports them appropriately.

UNFPA is working with the National Coalition to develop a governance and coordination system with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development responsible to implement the Action Plan.

The highest level in terms of the governance structure of the project is the National Steering Committee. The main task of the National Steering Committee is to provide overall strategic direction and political guidance to the initiative.

A Technical Working Group will support the Steering Committee and the coordinating, supervisory and implementing agency which is hosted in the UNFPA’s Office.

The Nigeria Coalition on YPS gives general operational and programming direction, and more specifically on the nature of engagement of the Civil Society and their role in implementing the Nigeria National Action plan on Youth Peace and Security.

UNFPA is working with the European Union to secure funding for the implementation of the National Action plan in 6 pilot states out of the 36 states and the FCT in Nigeria, while hoping to secure more funding for the other states.

UNFPA as a chair of UN Interagency Group on Youth is working with other UN agencies who are working on peace and security for youths and women particularly UNDP and UN Women to harmonize all activities and ensure there is no duplication of efforts.

UNFPA is also advocating for dedicated budget and funding for the implementation of the NAPYPS from the FMYSD and GCC contribution to UNFPA to aid implementation.