Context
The border areas between Senegal, Mali and Guinea are characterised by cross-border populations, commercial networks as well as numerous common challenges. These challenges include local conflicts concerning distribution of goods, poverty, unequal opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, weak public services and limited capacities of local authorities. Against this background, border areas with a great lack of prospects, especially for young people, can be the origin of spill-over effects and regional instability.
Objective
The socio-economic resilience of local populations in cross-border areas, especially youth, between Senegal, Mali and Guinea, has been strengthened.
Approach
The project's approach is based on the assumption that better social and economic prospects in border areas will help to make these areas more stable and safer. The aim of the project is therefore to strengthen socio-economic resilience in selected border areas. To achieve this goal, for example, employment opportunities are to be created, basic social services (e.g. access to water or health services) are to be strengthened and local authorities are to be supported in cross-border cooperation. The project comprises three fields of action with a substantial co-funding from the European Union (EU): (i) strengthening access to basic economic services (e.g. vocational training and micro, small and medium enterprise support); (ii) strengthening access to basic social services (e.g. access to water and energy); and (iii) strengthening cross-border cooperation (e.g. support to municipalities and development of cross-border development plans).