📋 Tender Overview
Switzerland supports pastoralist populations so they can access quality training and employment opportunities. These populations are marginalized by national and regional policies. The PAO2P-3 program aims to train and employ young (agro)pastoralists in the cross-border areas between Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali, Niger, and Togo. It strengthens their economic resilience and helps reduce their marginalization and conflicts.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
West Africa
Education
Inclusive economic Development
Conflict & fragility
Basic life skills
Vocational training
Employment creation
Conflict prevention
Education policy
01.05.2025 - 30.04.2029
CHF 6’850’000
The project in brief
Background The Central Sahel is facing a complex security crisis, compounding existing challenges: poverty, rapid population growth (2.4% in 2023), a lack of economic opportunities, and the effects of climate change. More than 3.1 million displaced people have less access to education, training, and means of production. Insecurity limits pastoral mobility, with cross-border restrictions in Benin, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire. Women and youth are particularly vulnerable to violence by armed groups. Furthermore, legal frameworks governing pastoral rights are poorly understood and poorly enforced. Finally, the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS complicates political relations with the Gulf of Guinea countries.
Objectives Contribute to the development of human capital and the social, political and economic integration of pastoral and agro-pastoral populations in cross-border areas, as well as to a reduction of crises and conflicts.
Target groups
Young (agro)pastoralists who have dropped out of school or are not in school, aged 15 and over, from the cross-border areas between Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Mali and Niger
Internally displaced populations (orphans, girls who are victims of terrorist acts, young people, repentant people, etc.)
Religious leaders, town hall officials, special delegations, and heads of (agro)pastoral organizations
Dropouts and those not in school aged 15 and over from host communities
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1 : 20,000 young agropastoralists aged 15 and over, 50% of whom are women, trained and integrated into agropastoralism Outcome 2 : Social cohesion activities are implemented by local authorities and youth and women's organizations Outcome 3 : The framework conditions for training and employment of young agropastoralists are improved at national and regional level
Results Expected results: Output 1 : The technical and professional skills of 20,000 agropastoralists (women: 50%) are developed in agropastoral value chains and related services Output 2 : 10,000 young agropastoralists supported and integrated into agro-forestry and pastoral professions and related services (women: 50%) Output 3 : 850 community leaders, religious leaders and internally displaced persons trained in social cohesion, psychosoc
