Strengthening West African capacity to counter violent extremism

The Partnerships for Peace project is a capacity-building and networking effort that supports West African regional institutions, national governments, and civil society organizations to more effectively counter violent extremism in the Sahel region. The project approach is rooted in empowering West African institutions and organizations to lead sustainable, long-term peacebuilding efforts.

At the regional level, the project supports the efforts of regional bodies, such as the G5 Sahel Permanent Secretariat, to assist member states in developing effective and sustainable programs to improve security, reduce conflict, and counter violent extremism. At the national level, Partnerships for Peace assists governments in developing national strategies for countering violent extremism (CVE) and programs to serve at-risk communities. Finally, the project supports networks of West African advocacy and practitioner groups to improve stakeholder coordination on CVE approaches among traditional and religious leaders, youth, and women’s groups.

The project works in Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Mauritania; however, Partnerships for Peace has the flexibility to modify its geographic targets and partnerships as the dynamics of violent extremism shift in the region. Furthermore, the project will modify its approach as the needs and capacities of organizations evolve, in response to technical learning in the CVE sector, and as opportunities arise.

Partnerships for Peace is an element of USAID’s support to the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. Together with other CVE programming and broader development efforts, the project contributes to the U.S. Government's goal of reducing vulnerability to violent extremism in West Africa.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Partnerships for Peace will improve West Africans’ capacity to counter violent extremism by achieving the following results:

• Greater understanding of violent extremism and knowledge of CVE approaches in West Africa
• Increased self-reliance and leadership of CVE efforts by West African governments and civil society organizations
• Improved regional coordination of CVE efforts

SELECT PROJECT ACTIVITIES

• Support governments of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad, civil society organizations (including in Mauritania) and regional bodies to advance West African understanding of the root causes of vulnerability to violent extremism and the most effective means of countering it.
• Developed, in coordination with G5 Sahel Permanent Secretariat, a regional CVE guiding framework for the G5 Sahel member states to assist governments with the development and implementation of effective CVE interventions.
• Support national governments to develop CVE strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders, such as local governments, civil society representatives, regional bodies and donors.
• Assist regional organizations in improving knowledge of CVE approaches in West Africa.
• Organize study tours for stakeholders and government officials to learn about CVE experiences and challenges in neighboring countries.
• Support regional organizations to create or enhance CVE networks comprising regional, national and sub-national civil society actors
• Provide grants to support West African organizations in implementation of CVE national and local initiatives and programs.
• Conducted an initial five-month assessment to identify the existing CVE efforts and capacity needs of the G5 Sahel Permanent Secretariat and the national governments of
  Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Mauritania.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

GOAL: Strengthen West African capacity to counter violent extremism

LIFE OF PROGRAM: September 2016 – September 2021

TOTAL USAID FUNDING: U.S. $13 million

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Mauritania, as well as the G5 Sahel Permanent Secretariat

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: Creative Associates International