Tannounyan: A joint workshop for the official launch of two major initiatives, the Resilience and Social Cohesion Program for the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PRECOPEV) and the Community Project to Combat Violent Extremism (PROCOLEV), was organized in Banfora on Thursday by the NGO SOS Sahel International Burkina Faso and the Center for Research and Intervention in Gender and Development (CRIGED). Chaired by the Governor of the Tannounyan region, Patrice Yeye, this meeting marks an important step in the implementation of actions aimed at strengthening community resilience, promoting social cohesion, and preventing violent extremism in the region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the projects are implemented by consortia of organizations including SOS Sahel International Burkina Faso and the Center for Research and Intervention in Gender and Development (CRIGED), in collaboration with partner associations. These initiatives benefit from the technical and financial support of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF). Their objective is to mobilize all institutional, community, and associative actors around a participatory and inclusive approach to consolidate peace and social cohesion within communities.
Running for two years from January 2026 to December 2027, the PRECOPEV and PROCOLEV initiatives aim to address the root causes of radicalization while strengthening community resilience. They focus on strengthening inclusive local governance, the socio-economic empowerment of youth and women, consolidating social cohesion, and providing psychosocial support to populations affected by conflict and violence.
During the meeting, participants learned about the objectives and areas of intervention of the two projects. Discussions focused on the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, coordination and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and the expectations and recommendations of local actors to ensure the effective and collaborative implementation of the initiatives.
The Governor of the Tannounyan region welcomed these initiatives as part of the national dynamic of preventing radicalization and fighting violent extremism. This aligns with the vision of the highest authorities of Burkina Faso aimed at building a resilient, united country committed to promoting living together. Mr. Yeye expressed his appreciation and gratitude to SOS Sahel and CRIGED for choosing the Tannounyan region for the implementation of these projects. He also called on all stakeholders to mobilize and fully commit to their success in the region.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of SOS Sahel, Salifou Ouedraogo, explained the choice of the Tannounyan region for these projects. He noted that this border region faces several challenges, including problems related to natural resource management and intercommunal tensions, which can create fertile ground for violent extremism. The implementation of these initiatives will help prevent such situations through actions aimed at strengthening community resilience, including drilling wells, developing areas for market gardening, and raising awareness and building community capacity.
For his part, Youssouf Ouattara, National Advisor for the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), welcomed the implementation of these initiatives. He expressed his institution's full commitment to supporting actions in favor of peace, social cohesion, and living together, emphasizing that all initiatives contributing to the well-being and happiness of populations deserve support.
This meeting brought together administrative, customary, and religious authorities, defense and security forces, civil society organizations, as well as technical and financial partners, all committed to consolidating peace and social cohesion in the Tannounyan region.