Quarterly Report April – June 2017

IRTOUN “Rise Again”

Funded by USAID / Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)

Photo 1: Irtoun activities (Photo: Mercy Corps)

HEADQUARTERS COUNTRY CONTACT CONTACT PROJECT SUMMARY Award AID-OFDA-G-14-00025 Start Date: 1 July 2016 End Date: 30 September 2017 Report Date: 31 July 2017 Total Award: USD $2,200,000

Quarterly Report Irtoun – Rise Again April – June 2017

1. Executive Summary

Since February 2014, Mercy Corps has implemented the IRTOUN (“Rise Again”) program, with a goal to enhance food security and economic resilience of communities recovering from the effects of conflict in northern Mali. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Food for Peace (FFP) and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), during the first 2 years, the program offered an integrated package of assistance to farmers and pastoralists to facilitate the recovery of their productive livelihoods and improve their ability to withstand shocks and stresses. Following a cost modification by USAID/OFDA in September of 2016, IRTOUN II extends these interventions to new geographic areas while implementing additional interventions to address the root causes of conflict and the needs of conflict-affected households, with a particular focus on the needs of youth.

In June 2017, Mercy Corps obtained a new No Cost Extension (NCE) covering the period from July to September 2017 pending the signature of the new IRTOUN III program.

During the reporting period, the program achieved the following:

Agriculture and Food Security ● Identification of 24 sites and 1,800 beneficiaries participating in Cash for Work activities in Ansongo, Gourma Rharous and Timbuktu circles; ● Identification of sites and establishment of 34 permagardens; ● Training of surveillance committees; ● Distribution of tools for Cash for Work activities; ● Monitoring the implementation of Cash for Work activities; ● Distribution and redemption of fodder vouchers; ● Training of 41 CAHW; ● Selection of the eight associations of young bourgou cultivators; and ● Training of the members of the surveillance committees on the maintenance and management of irrigation infrastructures and community grazing areas.

Economic Recovery and Market Systems • Labor market analysis study completed; • Monitoring, mentoring and refresher training of 148 first wave internships and apprenticeships; • Selection of 159 trainees/apprentices for second wave on transferable skills and job searching; • Training of 300 micro entrepreneurs in micro-enterprise management; • Training of village agents on income generation activities; and • Village association training on micro-enterprise management and financial inclusion assessment.

Table: Award-Level Beneficiaries

Total beneficiaries targeted 49 200 beneficiaries (7 029 households) Total beneficiaries reached this quarter 51 800 beneficiaries¹ (7 400 households) Total cumulative number of beneficiaries 105 406 beneficiaries¹ (15 058 households) reached for life of program

Sector #1 Objective 1: Vulnerable households in Northern Mali recover productive Agriculture & Food Security agricultural livelihoods Beneficiaries Targeted for Irtoun II Cost 39 600 beneficiaries (6 600 households) Modification

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Beneficiaries Reached this quarter 51 660 beneficiaries (7 380 households) Cumulative number of Beneficiaries 51 660 beneficiaries (7 380 households) Reached (for cost modification) Sector #2 Objective 2: Vulnerable households increase incomes by engaging in local Economic Recovery & Market Systems markets Beneficiaries Targeted for Irtoun II Cost 15 600 individuals (2 600 households) Modification 140 beneficiaries (20 households) [Total Beneficiaries Reached this quarter VSLA participant numbers not yet available] Cumulative number of Beneficiaries 140 beneficiaries (20 households) [Total Reached VSLA participant numbers not yet available] Please note: Total beneficiary numbers are a count of direct and indirect beneficiaries (household members) that also benefit from activities undertaken by direct beneficiaries. 1Indirect beneficiaries are estimated based on average figures for household size, and beneficiary counting discount has been applied to total number of beneficiaries as mid-term evaluation found that 13% of beneficiaries participate in two program components and 3% of beneficiaries participate in three program components.

2. Program Overview Building on the success of Irtoun I, the Irtoun II cost modification seeks to scale up successful interventions carried out in Ansongo circle of Timbuktu and Gourma Rharous circles of the Timbuktu region of northern Mali. The program is designed to enhance food security, reduce the risk of conflict and build the resilience of conflict-affected households. Specifically, Irtoun II is working in the 20 communities covered by Irtoun I, continuing to support agricultural and VSLA groups, and is expanding to 45 additional multi-ethnic, marginalized communities across the three target circles to strengthen local agricultural and livestock production capacity and restore livelihoods. The program’s two interconnected objectives are:

1) Vulnerable households in northern Mali recover productive agricultural livelihoods. Immediate household needs are addressed through cash-for-work (CfW) activities, as well as animal feed vouchers enabling pastoralists to acquire fodder during the pastoral lean season to reduce animal losses. Irtoun II also facilitates the recovery of gardening activities to enable farmers – particularly women – to expand their production and enhance links to local markets. The program addresses the needs of pastoralists for improved fodder and healthcare services for their livestock, while promoting behavior change around fodder conservation and planning. CfW projects will support rehabilitation of community irrigation infrastructure and pasturelands, and training and support to infrastructure and pastureland management committees will enhance natural resource management practices and promote sustainable and equitable use.

2) Vulnerable households increase incomes by engaging in local markets. Additionally, Irtoun assists micro-entrepreneurs affected by insecurity to resume their small businesses through entrepreneurship training and business support cash transfers, and supports youth to build employability skills and strengthen relationships with employers through apprenticeships. All of Irtoun II beneficiaries are encouraged to join community based village savings and loan associations (VSLA), which act as a form of safety net to strengthen recovery efforts, allowing participants to benefit from improved financial management, enhanced savings practices and opportunities to access credit to support economic growth and livelihood diversification.

Cross-cutting social cohesion and conflict resolution activities will support activities under the two objectives, enhancing the shared management of natural resources and reducing local conflict, particularly between farmers and herders. In each community targeted by the program, community management and surveillance committees will be established to promote peaceful co-existence and equitable management of community natural resources. Mercy Corps will also use cash-for-work to bring together community members from across ethnic lines to build linkages, manage community resources and support peaceful coexistence by all groups.

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3. Contextual Update Agriculture The harvest of vegetable crops in the Irtoun intervention areas are the main agricultural focus at this time of year. With the abundance of vegetable crops, conversely, there is a significant decline in production of cereals, especially riverine rice. Some dry cereals, namely sorghum and imported rice, have experienced considerable increases (350 to 400 CFA francs for imported rice and 175 to 250 CFA francs for sorghum). Local markets are characterized by an abundance of potatoes and onions produced at dry season gardening sites. Millet prices increased dramatically in the quarter, reaching 250 CFA per kilo, because of growing demand in border countries such as Niger and Burkina Faso. In addition, there was a surge in the cost of staples, during the month of Ramadan, mainly, sugar, oil and pasta imported from Algeria.

Pastoral Activities The health status of livestock is good and the livestock markets are stable. The distribution of the livestock feed during the month of May 2017 has provided considerable support to pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the program area. Mercy Corps provided vouchers for livestock feed to 1,800 beneficiaries in the target areas, which will enable them to meet the feeding needs of their animals for the season. The main fodder available currently is bourgou; the harvest of bourgou from riverbanks has begun.

Socio-Political Situation At the local level, the political situation during the quarter was marked by: • The cessation of Ouatagouna (Ansongo circle) town hall activities following the terrorist attack that targeted the mayor of the town on May 15, 2017 – the mayor has since left and relocated to Gao. • The arrival of consistent electricity 24 hours a day through Mali Energy in Ansongo town, which replaced Tilgaz or AMADER with prepaid meters.

At the national level, the political situation has been very turbulent and is marked by: • The change of government with the arrival of a new Prime Minister and the increase in the number of ministerial portfolios synonymous with increased state spending during this period. In addition, the further weak representation of women in the government is in violation of the law that grants 30% of nominative posts to women. The opposition challenged the appointment of these ministers to the appropriate judicial bodies. • The government’s publication of a new electoral calendar announcing that the constitutional revision referendum vote is now scheduled for the month of July 2017 and the regional elections for the month of October 2017. • There has been significant mobilization of opposition political parties and civil society against the referendum, which proposes the revision of the 25 February 1992 constitution – the population is using marches, meetings and debates to counter the proposal.

Security Robberies and attacks have been rife this quarter in all the northern regions of Mali. In the program's intervention zone, despite the presence of threats, activities continue to be implemented based on an approach that takes into account the most recent security information and strives to prevent harm to Mercy Corps staff and beneficiaries and reach as many vulnerable people as possible. As the security situation worsens, there is more widespread fear at the community level. In certain locations such as Gourma Rharous, Tessit and Tin Hama, the armed forces and NGOs are the targets, making our work more difficult and dangerous. In Ansongo, there have been several security incidents linked to armed groups/individuals killing and stealing goods – an example is the recent death of the Monzongo youth president who was a beneficiary of Irtoun’s Cash for Work activities in Monzonga who was killed by armed bandits who stole his cattle.

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4. Performance Summary Sector #1 Vulnerable households in Northern Mali recover productive agricultural Agriculture & Food livelihoods Security Irtoun II: 39 600 Irtoun II: Beneficiaries Targeted beneficiaries (6 600 Budget: $1 628 380 households) Reporting period: 51 660 Cumulative for cost extension: 51 660 Beneficiaries Reached beneficiaries (7 380 beneficiaries (7 380 households) households) Gao Region of Northern Mali, Ansongo Circle; Ansongo, Bourra, Tin Hama, Tessit, Outtagouna communes Timbuktu Region of Northern Mali, Timbuktu Circle; Bourem Inaly, Alafia Geographic Area(s) and Lafia communes; Timbuktu Region of Northern Mali: Gourma Rharous Circle; Serere, Banikane, and Rharous Communes Sub-Sector 1.1: Livestock REPORTING CUMULATIVE INDICATORS BASELINE TARGET PERIOD VALUE REACHED REACHED Indicator 1.1.1: Number of animals benefiting 0 40 000 13 980 78 227 from or affected by livestock activities Indicator 1.1.2: Number Male: 0 1 400 1 709 2 582 of people benefiting from livestock activities, Female: 0 1 600 432 1 024 disaggregated by sex Indicator 1.1.3: Number of veterinary interventions (e.g. 0 Irtoun II: 40 000 4 980 69 229 treatments, vaccinations) Indicator 1.1.4: Number 0 Irtoun II: 40 000 4 980 69 229 of animals treated Indicator 1.1.5 Number of hectares of pastureland rehabilitated 0 Irtoun II: 200 ha 335 335 through cash-for-work interventions Sub-Sector 1.2 : Improving Agricultural Production REPORTING CUMULATIVE INDICATORS BASELINE TARGET PERIOD VALUE REACHED REACHED Indicator 1.2.1: Projected increase in number of months of food self-sufficiency N/A 10 months 3 12 due to distributed seed systems/agricultural inputs for beneficiary households2 Indicator 1.2.2. Number Male: 0 720 1 210 1 210

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of people benefiting from seed Female: 0 2 880 4 447 4 447 systems/agricultural input activities, by sex # of hectares under improved technologies Will be reported or management 0 Irtoun II: TBD N/A on in a future practices as a result of quarter USG assistance # of farmers and others Male: 0 Irtoun II: 720 1 210 1 210 who have applied improved technologies or management Female: 0 Irtoun II: 2 880 4 447 4 447 practices as a result of USG assistance # of individuals who have received project Male: 0 Irtoun II: 720 1 210 1 210 supported short-term agricultural sector productivity or food security training (including through Female: 0 Irtoun II: 2 880 4 447 4 447 agricultural extension services) Sector #2 Objective 2: Vulnerable households increase incomes by engaging in local Economic Recovery & markets Market Systems Irtoun II: 15 600 Irtoun II: Beneficiaries Targeted beneficiaries Budget: $ 571 621 (2 600 households) Cumulative for cost extension: 601 Reporting period: 461 beneficiaries (86 households) Beneficiaries Reached beneficiaries (66 households) [Total VSLA participant numbers not yet available] Gao Region of Northern Mali, Ansongo Circle; Ansongo, Bourra, Tin Hama, Tessit, Outtagouna communes Timbuktu Region of Northern Mali, Timbuktu Circle; Bourem Inaly, Alafia Geographic Area(s) and Lafia communes; Timbuktu Region of Northern Mali: Gourma Rharous Circle; Serere, Banikane, and Rharous Communes Sub-Sector 2.1: Livelihoods Restoration REPORTING CUMULATIVE INDICATORS BASELINE TARGET PERIOD PERIOD REACHED REACHED Indicator 2.1.1: Number of people assisted Male: 0 Irtoun II: 120 112 112 through livelihoods restoration activities, Female: 0 Irtoun II: 180 190 190 disaggregated by sex Indicator 2.1.2: Percent of beneficiaries reporting their Will be reported livelihoods restored N/A 80% N/A on in a future within three to six quarter months after receiving support

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Indicator 2.1.3: Total USD amount channeled Will be reported into the program area $0 Irtoun II: $75 000 N/A on in a future through sub-sector quarter activities Sub-Sector 2.2: New Livelihoods Development REPORTING CUMULATIVE INDICATORS BASELINE TARGET PERIOD PERIOD REACHED REACHED Indicator 2.2.1: Number Male: 0 Irtoun II: 120 110 200 of people assisted through new livelihoods activities, disaggregated Female: 0 Irtoun II: 180 49 108 by sex Will be reported Indicator 2.2.2: Number 0 Irtoun II: 75 N/A on in a future of new MSEs started quarter Indicator 2.2.3: Percent Male: N/A Irtoun II: 60 % 50% 50% of people, by sex, continuing in their new livelihoods by program Female: N/A Irtoun II: 60 % 70% 70% completion Indicator 2.1.3: Total USD amount channeled into the program area $0 Irtoun II: $54 000 $ 23 950 $ 38 558 through sub-sector activities Sub-Sector 2.2 : Microfinance REPORTING CUMULATIVE INDICATORS BASELINE TARGET PERIOD PERIOD REACHED REACHED Indicator 2.3.1: Number Will be reported of people, disaggregated Male: 0 Irtoun II: 600 N/A on in a future by sex, or MSEs newly quarter receiving financial services or continuing to receive financial services due to Will be reported USAID/OFDA support Female: 0 Irtoun II: 1 400 N/A on in a future systems/agricultural quarter inputs for beneficiary households Indicator 2.3.2: Percentage of financial services Will be reported accounts/groups N/A Irtoun II: 95% N/A on in a future supported by quarter USAID/OFDA that are functioning properly Please note: Total beneficiary numbers are a count of direct and indirect beneficiaries (household members) that also benefit from activities undertaken by direct beneficiaries. ¹ Indirect beneficiaries are estimated due to unknown figures for household sizes. 2 The Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP) measurement tool has been used for this indicator.

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Sector Summary: Sector #1: Agriculture & Food Security: 1.1 Livestock 1.1.1 Animal fodder vouchers for 1,800 vulnerable households. During the quarter, 1,800 households received vouchers worth 30,000 CFA francs each (approximately 52 USD) for the purchase of livestock feed in the circles of Ansongo, Timbuktu and Gourma Rharous. This support is to ensure that vulnerable breeders in the IRTOUN II intervention area who are struggling to feed their dairy cows or goats during the lean season are able to continue to feed and care for them. Prior to each distribution, the Mercy Corps teams validated the lists of beneficiaries with the various community selection committees and engaged the local authorities, ensuring the transparency of beneficiary selection and allowing for better coordination and trust among Photo 2: Distribution of livestock vouchers in Ansongo the community members and the Irtoun project.

One beneficiary commented:

"The distribution of vouchers for the purchase of food for our livestock during this period comes at a time when pastoralists are struggling to cope with the animal feed crisis. Thanks to this assistance of 30,000 CFA francs per household, we each could purchase four bags of feed, which will enable us to maintain two large ruminants (cattle) or five to seven small ruminants for two months (sheep, goats, etc.)."

Support for livestock feed covered a total of 44 villages/sites in the Irtoun II intervention area. The households identified are composed on average of 10 members, of which two to five of the members are children from 0 to 5 years, which has been verified by an analysis of the lists of beneficiaries. The number of heads of livestock available to beneficiaries varies between 2 to 10 for small ruminants and one to two for large ruminants.

Repurchase of vouchers takes place with local traders selected based on a tendering process for the supply of livestock feed to agro-pastoralists. In general, the exchange of vouchers at the level of the suppliers took place without incident. Some suppliers have moved to villages and sites in search of beneficiaries for the exchange of vouchers. This process has reduced the burden on beneficiaries to pay for transportation and has not had a financial impact on the price of livestock feed.

1.1.2 Capacity building of herders to improve livestock management and fodder harvesting practices This quarter, Mercy Corps’ teams met with bourgou producers in the Irtoun II intervention area to identify those with the requisite experience and contextual knowledge to participate in program activities. This activity led to consultations with eight individual producers and three economic interest groups (GIEs), which are very active in supplying quality cuttings.

On a competitive basis, eight associations made up of about 300 young people practicing the cultivation of bourgou in flooded areas were identified through a participatory process. For their selection, with the support of the various village committees, the emphasis was mainly on the experience of young people in the field of activity but also on the motivation of the members of the associations. Several exchange meetings were held, with the participation of the local technical services to prepare the various associations chosen for the proper implementation of the program's activities. Subsequently, the livestock technical services visited the sites as part of their mandate to monitor and mentor bourgou-producing groups and associations in order to strengthen their capacity

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in the management of fodder for livestock. The eight associations will process 64 hectares of bourgou along the banks of the Niger River. Each association received from Mercy Corps a kit of small equipment consisting of shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows, but also the amount of bourgou cuttings needed, fuel and oil for the motor pump that will be used for irrigation during the intervention.

1.1.3 Training and refresher training for 83 Selection criteria for Community Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) Animal Health Workers During this quarter, 41 community animal health workers 1. Literate in French or a local (CAHWs) (including 12 women) from the circles of language. Ansongo (11), Timbuktu (15) and Gourma Rharous (15) 2. Have more than one year of received training on animal health. Irtoun has trained 83 experience in animal health. CAHWs during this year through Irtoun II, including 20 3. Must be from the area. former Irtoun I recipients who received a retraining 4. Pastoralist or agro-pastoralist. session. 5. Hasn’t attended a previous NGO- led animal health training.

The themes taught during the course include: • Infectious diseases most commonly encountered in the project area and their treatments (bacterial, Pasteurellosis, Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (PCB), small ruminants plague (PPR), foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox, etc.); • The most frequent parasitic diseases in the project area (distomatosis, scabies); • Immediate measures to be taken in the event of an outbreak; • Medication (explanation of package leaflet); • The types of treatment and outreach (curative and preventive, awareness, alert, management); • Handling of the syringe; • Maintaining management tools: workbook, revenue / expenditure booklet, follow-up report); and • The conservation of straw fodder.

CAHWs, closer to the communities, will work with peer-to-peer veterinary technical services to facilitate treatment, follow-up of animals and alerts. The evaluation of the training showed that of the 41-trained CAHWs, 25 have a good level of understanding and the other 16 have an average level of understanding of the subjects taught. Overall, the competency of CAHWs is acceptable. Most have a primary level education and have a good understanding of the basic concepts to do their jobs.

One-hundred percent of the participants were satisfied with the methodology used by the trainers and found their explanations of the information covered to be clear and comprehensible, according to monthly monitoring. Each CAHW will receive a care kit after the refresher sessions scheduled for the next quarter.

The recommendations from the training included: • Organize refresher sessions every three months to raise the level of understanding/comprehension of the animal health auxiliaries; • Involve technical services in the monitoring of community animal health workers (CAHW) in the field; • The establishment of a warning system for technical services when epidemics are detected on sites; • Timely transmission of monthly data collection sheets; • Timely provision of care materials to auxiliaries within the required timeframe

During this quarter, the 83 CAHWs started their activities in the sites in collaboration with the local technical services and the government-contracted veterinary service providers. They assisted about 4,980 head of cattle in the three circles.

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1.1.4 Rehabilitation of pasturelands – Cash-for-Work Prior to starting the CFW activities, Mercy Corps organized a training for the 227 members of the community infrastructure and pastoral management committees on the following topics:

• Mapping of community actors and natural resources; • Development of a protection plan and a plan for use of community natural resources based on a common understanding of the importance Photo 3: Training of surveillance committees in Ansongo of natural resources to all target groups; • The synergy between community actors and local authorities in the governance process and their roles and responsibilities in the management of natural resources and community infrastructure; • Maintenance of community irrigation infrastructure; • The link between the monitoring committees and the municipal councils in order to support their involvement in the local governance process and to improve the sustainability of actions; • The basic principles of the regulation on the management of natural resources, as well as the use and maintenance of community infrastructure (reference to the pastoral charter: Law N ° O1-004 of February 27, 2001 and the law of Agricultural Guidance: Law N ° 06.045 of 5 September 2006); • Development of plans for use of and access to natural resources (including agreements on the definition of livestock passage corridors and the use of grazing and water resources); and • Conflict management related to the exploitation and management of natural resources.

Participatory training methodologies were used, and trainees took part in a series of lectures, debates, group work, and question and answer sessions. After the training, participants recommended that future trainings provide a per diem for those traveling to the training site, that similar trainings take place at the community level, and that technical services be involved in the monitoring of field work.

Pasture rehabilitation activities began in May Photo 4: Creation of the half moons in Ouatagouna 2017 and took place at the level of all Irtoun II intervention communes. This type of activity is new for the communities and is providing an opportunity to test out Mercy Corps/TOPS approaches to resilience.

The 1,200 vulnerable households participating in the program rehabilitated 335 ha of pasture in two months (result of 20 working days per month), and workers' days were tracked to ensure participation. Mercy Corps also witnessed strong community mobilization through volunteer activities in some villages, bolstering the impact of CfW interventions. In Ansongo, one challenge is the low frequency of monitoring in remote areas because of restrictions on travel between villages for security reasons.

1.2 Improving Agricultural Production 1.2.1 Vouchers for Agricultural inputs for 3,600 farmers

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130 groups supported for potatoes production and gardening activities in partnership with the local technical services of agriculture completed their harvests this quarter. The average yields obtained were 24.8 t / ha for the 80 Ansongo garden groups and 18 T / ha for the 50 Timbuktu groups. The yields obtained were average or above average for what is typical to the region. In Ansongo, 12% of the groups (consisting mainly of Irtoun I beneficiaries continuing their activities) had an average yield of 13.5T / ha or less, whereas the remaining groups had a satisfactory average yield of around 28T / ha. After analyzing the situation, it appears that the decline in yields observed in the old groupings is due to: • Flooding in a portion of the gardens; • Lack of adequate crop rotation in some plots – some group members have been reticent to rotate away from potato production as it is a main source of income; • Some of the women of more advanced age in the groups have been unable to complete all the labor or solicit assistance to complete the labor necessary to adequately care for the crops; and • Inadequate production of compost to ensure fertilization of the gardens – in several sites, growers increased the size of their gardens regardless of the amount of organic fertilizer they have in an attempt to increase the overall size of their harvest. For other crops, such as onion, tomato and cabbage, the yields were good and are higher than the average yields projected by the agricultural technical services this year. The strategies taught to beneficiaries by Irtoun staff helped them sell their potatoes, onions and other garden crops at a better price. These strategies included: • Waiting to sell certain crops (particularly potatoes) until the market prices had increased; • Staggered harvesting of crops in order to avoid saturating the market; • Value chain connections linking vegetable producers with sellers; • Sharing information with producers on commercial outlets in large urban centers (Timbuktu, Mopti, Gao, Ménaka, the Nigerian border and Kidal); and • Guidance/training and supervision of producers on the conservation and processing of vegetables.

In some groups, the members themselves bought the group’s production at a price slightly below market rate for their own consumption.

1.2.2 Training and support to 126 agricultural/gardening groups The supervisory and training activities of market gardening groups focused on:

• Support for research to support commercialization of vegetable production; • Maintenance of off-season crops and stock management; • Sensitization on financial management of resources from the vegetable marketing campaign to enable purchase of seed for the next season; and • Support in identifying profitable IGAs for certain groups.

After participating in training in Niger on resilient agriculture and permaculture, the teams introduced the techniques studied at the Irtoun II intervention sites - sessions were first held on the permagarden concept at the group level, followed by the identification of volunteers for implementation. The teams identified 30 volunteers in the communes of Ouatagouna, Bourra and Ansongo and four others in the circle of Timbuktu to Photo 5: Permagarden in Ansongo implement these techniques.

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1.2.3. Rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure – Cash-for-Work The exchanges with the local agricultural technical services and with other community-level service providers made it possible to identify and prioritize the irrigation infrastructures that need to be rehabilitated in each circle. Infrastructure selection was also based on the Social, Economic and Cultural Development Plans (PDSEC) of each municipality.

At the end of the consultations, 24 sites were selected to house the activities of CFW. Among the infrastructure to be rehabilitated are water reservoirs, water systems in vaccination facilities, and protection of dykes for rice production.

Photo 6: CFW activities in Ansongo and Gourma Rharous

These projects helped to secure about 1,817 ha against flooding from the river, but also to encourage the capture and retention of water in reservoirs for an additional two to three months during the dry season. A total of 600 vulnerable households participated in the CFW activities in the circles of Ansongo, Timbuktu and Gourma Rharous. At the beginning of the CFW activities, Mercy Corps made available to the workers kits composed of hoes, picks, shovels, ropes, spades, and wheelbarrows.

Sector #2: Economic Recovery & Market Systems 2.1. New Livelihoods Development 2.1.1 Apprenticeships for 300 vulnerable youth  Youth labor market analysis

In order to improve the youth employment program, Mercy Corps conducted an assessment of the labor market and economic opportunities in Timbuktu, Gourma Rharous and Ansongo circles. This study, carried out by young people in the three target circles, had several objectives, but globally, it sought to understand the real needs of young people, their interests and capacities, and to analyze how these Photo 7: Market observation during the survey in Timbuktu interests may respond to the needs of the market. The primary components of the methodology followed included:

• Observation; • Survey of key informants; • Survey of entrepreneurs (private sector); and • Discussion groups with youth in neighborhoods.

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The study results have informed the development of youth livelihoods interventions to be undertaken by Irtoun. In particular, it has helped identify sectors with high potential for youth involvement, which include: sanitation, plastic waste recycling, urban transportation, and renewable energy. The youth additionally identified certain sectors of interest such as hair dressing, tailoring, metal work, wood working, and automotive mechanics.

The process of carrying out the study also helped Mercy Corps to expand its partner network, as some entrepreneurs have indicated their interest in Photo 8: Site visit, follow-up of trainees in Ansongo supporting Mercy Corps in the implementation of the program by welcoming trainees or apprentices into their organizations/companies. As a result, a directory of entrepreneurs by domain in the three circles was developed.

In addition, through their participation in the assessment process the young people were able to better understand management of a business, and they developed their confidence, established ties with entrepreneurs and finally identified ideas for their own work and activities. Mercy Corps collaborated with the National Employment Agency (ANPE) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in this endeavor.

 Monitoring the young trainees in host agencies Despite the precarious security situation prevailing in the northern regions of Mali, the team managed to monitor the work of the first wave of 148 young trainees in their respective locations/agencies. The youth have been placed with a range of entities, including in the private sector (local businesses), public administration, and community organizations. A majority of the trainees reported positive experiences, particularly those working with the health structures and with traders. Community representatives (members of the selection committees, administrative and political authorities) also reported positive outcomes from the placements, noting a decrease in the vulnerability of young people and a sense that they are less likely to enlist in armed groups or to be radicalized. The second group of trainees, 159 in all, began their internships or apprenticeships in June of 2017.

 Trainee workshops – first wave of youth trainees

In order to enable young people to be more productive in their professional activities, Mercy Corps organized several refresher courses for trainees on transferable skills, communication in the workplace, mentoring, employment.

At the end of the three-month internship, Mercy Corps teams organized a workshop with trainees Photo 9: First wave trainee workshop and hosts to discuss lessons learned and recommendations for improving the program. Attendees were in agreement on the positive aspects of the program, such as the learning opportunity it offered for youth, the way it demonstrated the value of youth to the host agencies, and the transferrable skills many youth gained. The youth came out of the experience with stronger job searching abilities and more connections as well. Recommendations for next time included more regular monitoring and communication between Mercy Corps and the youth, support for internships/apprenticeships lasting longer than three months, increased compensation and more material support for youth to start up new vocations, prioritization of youth

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participating in the program for employment with Mercy Corps, and extra incentives for host structure representatives.

With an eye to facilitating the youth’s transition to further employment, Mercy Corps has discussed the potential for extending internships or apprenticeships or transitioning youth to full employment with the host structures. In Ansongo, many youth successfully won contracts with international organizations following the completion of their internships and others have likely opportunities with their host organizations. Many of these youth cited the importance of Mercy Corps’ training on resume writing and conducting a successful job interview in winning these opportunities. The following table gives some examples of success cases in the Ansongo circle:

Commune Name Host agency Department Position Level of Study Issa Ibrahim Toure ANPE P.U Driver Masters Halimatou Maiga Private School Barkhane Cleaner DEF Ansongo Fatoumata Coulibaly NGO Help NGO Help Logistics Assistant CAP Mobo Farouk Imma NGO Help NGO Help Animator Masters

Alkarafi Ag Hamat CSCOM P.U Support Agent Health Aid Alassane Ag Kamach CSCOM P.U Support Agent Health Aid Rokia Walet Ali CSCOM P.U Support Agent Health Aid Alassane Yehiya ECOM UJS Teacher DEF Tin Hama AbdouraZack Ag Ouma ECOM PACEN Teacher DEF Alassane Ag Almouct Medersa Medersa Teacher Masters Abdoulaye Ag Karim Medersa Medersa Teacher Masters Ahmed Ag Ibrahim Medersa Medersa Teacher BAC

Excepting the 12 trainees who found a job, and six other trainees who are unemployed, the other 31 trainees continue with their host agencies with a small support to sustain them financially. There is hope that all those working in the field of health will be recruited by NGOs such as MSF and Première Urgence in Ansongo. Two trainees with the NGO Help signed a one-year contract with their host organization.

 Selection of youth for the second wave of internships and apprenticeships For the second wave of internships and apprenticeships, based on the results of the labor market analysis, an emphasis has been placed on working with out of school youth. The strategy developed is oriented towards connecting these youth to master craftsmen. To select youth, community selection committees were engaged, who not only identified youth but also reached out deliberately to potential hosts to raise awareness of the opportunity.

The criteria for identifying and selecting youth for Photo 10: Meeting with artisans of Aglal, second wave apprenticeships and inderships include: Timbuktu • Both men and women aged 15 to 25 years • Previous experience in the field applied for • From the targeted regions and available for continued training • From a household with a need for extra income

The emphasis in the selection of hosts has been placed on the private sector for this wave, but there are a few local government and health center hosts in certain localities where these are the only functional host structures.

Characteristics of youth selected for second wave internships/apprenticeships Circle Interns Apprentices Young women Young men Ansongo 17 36 19 34 Tombouctou 32 28 25 35

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Rharous 10 36 5 41 Total 59 100 49 110

 Training of youth for second wave internships and apprenticeships and introduction to host structures Following the selection of youth for the second wave of internships and apprenticeships, Mercy Corps trained participants on transferrable skills and job search techniques. The main objective of the training was to familiarize youth with the professional world before introducing them into host structures, and to strengthen their communication and leadership skills. These trainings will set them up for success. All of the youth selected for participation in second waver internships and apprenticeships took part in this initial orientation.

2.2: Livelihoods Restoration 2.2.1 Livelihoods support to 300 people  Selection of entrepreneurs This quarter, Mercy Corps completed the identification of entrepreneurs to receive funding as a part of livelihoods restoration activities. The selection process was based on the relevance of the activity proposed, whether the individual had been engaged in the same activity prior to the crisis (a requirement for livelihoods restoration activities), the experience of the individual, and the cost of their project. In all of the target sites, awareness campaigns were carried Photo 11: Guided interview with a entrepreneur in out to inform entrepreneurs about the process that Bourem Inaly, Timbuktu will be followed, including training, the development of a business plan, payment of financial support, and support and mentoring to be offered by Mercy Corps staff. The Mercy Corps team also held individual interviews with each beneficiary to better understand their plans and needs for assistance and to offer some initial coaching on the business plan development.

The training modules included :  Training of entrepreneurs  Introduction to business and income After validation of promising projects, sensitizations, generating activities and individual interviews in support of the  Business partnerships ; development of business plans, Mercy Corps  Business and family ; organized a series of entrepreneurial training sessions  Procurement ; for beneficiaries focused on the basics of business  Management of stock ; management. In addition to covering a range of  Marketing ; relevant topics (see chart to the left) the training was  The business cycle ; an opportunity for participants to share experiences  Introduction to simplified planning ; and ideas with one another. The training further  Accounting and determining prices ; employed training techniques tailored to adult  Introduction to credit learners – brainstorming, role plays, case studies, debates and speeches, and open discussion.

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Photo 12: Traning Entrepreneur in Timbuktu and Ansongo

2.3: Micro-finance 2.3.1 Establish/Strengthen 100 Village Savings and Loan Associations

 Development and submission of business plans In order to motivate village agents working directly with Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), Mercy Corps supported each agent to carry out an income generating activity, providing 100,000 FCFA per agent. This infusion of cash was meant to enable them to attain a steady livelihood and continue working with the VSLA.

Prior to assisting the agents with this funding, Mercy Corps supported each village agent to develop a business plan for their chosen IGA. Of the village agents supported, 50 of them were supported to develop a pre-existing activity while 12 began new businesses. 55 of the activities supported involved purchase and sale of products such as tea, sugar, cookies, dates, cakes, bread, rice, fish, condiments, and clothing, among other items. Four of the IGAs involved agricultural processing and three involved agricultural production.

Following review of business plans and budgets, Photo 13: Training of Village Agents on Financial Inclusion in Ansongo Mercy Corps transferred the first of two tranches of funding to the village agents. The remaining funds will be transferred next quarter. Monitoring has found that the village agents are actively involved in the proper management of the funds.

 Training of Village Agents In each of the three Irtoun II intervention areas, the teams conducted training sessions on a range of themes for the village agents supporting VSLA activities. The topics covered this quarter included:

• VSLA methodology; • Training on simplified micro-enterprise management; • Planning, budgeting, cash flow; • Income-generating activities; • Inventory management; • Marketing; and • Training on financial inclusion.

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A total of 62 village agents took part in the various sessions.

Total Total Total credit Grand Amount Number solidarity Number of Circle beneficiaries funds total borrowed of VSLA fund (F loans (F CFA) (F CFA) (F CFA) H F CFA) Tombouctou 30 39 713 3 270 230 535 400 3 805 630 1 355 500 200

Gourma Rharous 50 168 1204 3 956 800 389 000 4 345 800 745 500 145

Ansongo 73 586 1277 5 189 100 904 000 6 093 100 1 721 000 104 Total 153 793 3194 12 416 130 1 828 400 14 244 530 3 822 000 449

With the support of the village agents, 152 VSLAs mobilized a total of 12,416,130 FCA in credit, 30% of which was granted as loans, 31% invested in a shared income-generation activity. The borrowing rate remains very low in the Gourma-Rharous circle, which is explained by the reluctance of members to contract loans for religious beliefs. Despite this, participation in VSLA overall has increased compared to the last quarter.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation activities during the quarter include: • Collecting data in terms of achievements and harvests through monitoring tools; • Monitoring of CFW work in the field and verification of record keeping by community mobilizers; • Updating the database for beneficiaries Irtoun II; • Follow-up of meetings and training of youth and mentors; • Monitoring of village agent training activities; and • Support and follow-up of distribution of livestock vouchers.

6. Coordination The main coordination activities carried out this quarter included:

• Coordination around security: In view of the increased security situation and the fact that humanitarian workers are increasingly being targeted by armed groups and other individuals, consultations have taken place between the various NGOs in order to analyze the situation and consider potential mitigation measures. The main measures include: respecting travel schedules, sharing security information on time, ensuring good communication and a working relationship with local authorities, and reducing large-scale group activities. • Early Recovery Cluster Meeting: In Timbuktu, Mercy Corps is the co-lead of the UNDP- led early recovery cluster. This quarter, Mercy Corps presented the terms of reference of the labor market assessment and the economic opportunities survey conducted by young people at the cluster meeting. UNDP and ANPE expressed their wish to participate in the study. • IMC: In Timbuktu, the NGO IMC sought Mercy Corps’ advice on entrepreneurship for women beneficiaries of knitting and soap preparation in their reception center.

The active participation of Mercy Corps in the various clusters has made it possible to improve the visibility of programs with other humanitarian actors. One sign of this increased and improved visibility is the interest of humanitarian actors in hosting interns in their organizations during the second wave of internships.

7. Conclusion

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The security situation in the IRTOUN intervention areas deteriorated significantly during the quarter. It has had short-term impacts on the implementation of activities on the ground following the prohibition of motorcycle traffic on the various roads in the Gao region.

Harvests of all agricultural activities supported through the program are completed and the average yields obtained are satisfactory on the level of the new groupings. For older groups, the application of crop rotation and rotation is necessary because a decline in production of the potato has been observed. Awareness-raising actions are under way with the groups concerned.

The work of CFW activities have been completed and the challenge is to continue to provide cash transfers to beneficiaries in a safe and transparent manner. Despite the security situation and the challenges of the hot season and Ramadan, the CFW work went well and participants willingly and industriously participated.

Permagarden activities have resumed following Ramadan and the planting and sowing took place with the participation of about 30 volunteers.

Finally, the youth labor market analysis and the initial training of second waver interns and apprentices enabled the Youth Livelihoods team to better guide the program by taking into account out-of-school youth who are at higher risk, potentially reducing the risk of their participation in armed groups. As Irtoun II activities wind down, Mercy Corps will analyze its results to inform implementation of Irtoun III.

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