Youth: Game Changers in Fragile Contexts

» POSITION PAPER JANUARY 2015

YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS

CORDAID’S APPROACH AND TRACK RECORD foreword YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS

FOREWORD

“ Today’s youth are our leaders of the future. Because they are potential game changers, embracing and investing in young people in fragile contexts is more urgent than ever.”

Today, the world is home to 1.8 billion young people, the largest youth population in human history. Looking at the poorest countries in the world we see that their populations predominantly consist of young people. These young people, with all their potential, can go in two directions: either they become game changers and productive members of their society, or they see no prospects for themselves and their families. And a huge number of young people with no serious prospects in life brings a lot of risks.

During my visits to countries like the Central African Republic (CAR), Afghanistan and Lebanon, I have seen hundreds of people in desperate situations. But, time and again, I could only be amazed and humbled by their tremendous resilience. In particular, I was struck by the drive of many young people to improve their lives and build a positive future, even while being forced to survive in very challenging circumstances.

Take the young men who help to distribute seeds to the most remote and dangerous areas of the CAR so that yet another planting season will not be lost. Or the young Afghan women who participate in midwife training and go back to their villages because they strongly believe in improving maternal and child care in their communities. Or the Syrian children in the refugee camps, eager to keep on learning in makeshift schools.

Both vulnerable and potentially powerful, young people are an indispensable part of the solution to the difficulties in their societies. Time is of the essence: if we do not invest in the millions of young people who live in fragile contexts, we basically divest in future generations at a crucial moment in the history of humankind.

The cases in this paper illustrate how Cordaid works with and for young people so they can be the game changers in their communities. This means working in an integrated manner on issues related to security and justice, governance and services and economic opportunities. In the words of Pamphile Nyandi in Burundi “Youth are the country’s future leaders. They need to participate in society and feel supported by the state and its institutions.”

Simone Filippini CEO Cordaid

JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID 1 YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS CONTENTS

CONTENTS

executive summary...... 3 the way forward...... 4 youth in fragility: vulnerable but powerful...... 5 1. Focus on fragility...... 5 2. Why invest in youth in fragile contexts?...... 5 Powerful in number but vulnerable by position ...... 5 Employment and economic opportunities ...... 6 Political participation and peace...... 7 3. Cordaid’s approach...... 8 case 1 - burundi: cautious steps for youth in an uphill struggle...... 10 1. Healthcare for youth...... 11 SRH Next Generation program...... 11 Peer education...... 13 Speaking up on taboos...... 13 2. Education...... 14 RBF in education...... 14 3. Engaging youth in security and justice...... 15 Restoring trust...... 15 Safer communities through RBF...... 16 4. Youth entrepreneurship...... 17 Promising initiatives...... 17 Including youth in agriculture for food security ...... 17 case 2 – el salvador: mejicanos city park: a safe space for youth...... 19 ‘It takes trust’...... 19 Young people creating their own soccer field...... 20 Goodbye Tattoos...... 21 case 3 – the central african republic: improving services and engaging youth ...... 22 1. Healthcare for youth...... 24 RBF for Universal Health Care...... 24 2. Education...... 24 RBF in education...... 25 Promoting tolerance...... 26 3. Engaging youth in security and justice...... 27 Healing trauma...... 27 Peace advocacy and dialogue...... 27 case 4 –the middle east and north africa: young leadership in fragile contexts ...... 28

notes ...... 30

2 JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID EXECUTIVE SUMMARY YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

By 2015, two-thirds of all poor people will be living in fragile Intervention strategies and conflict affected states (FCS). Currently, over 600 million Cordaid positions to include youth not just as beneficiaries, but youth worldwide live in these fragile and challenging contexts. as partners and leaders in the process of building peace and They are the future generation, the potential game changers development. Young people who become active members of for their countries. However, fragility hinders young people’s their societies will contribute to restoring the social contract sustainable development into the independence of adulthood. that has been eroded by conflict and insecurity. Cordaid’s In the midst of violence and uncertainty, a key period in their support for youth in fragile contexts is based on three transition to engaging with society and the world of work is principles: being blocked. ▪▪ community-based: emphasizing the need for social change UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon believes young people that is embedded within local communities where young around the world are the ‘torch bearers’ of the post-2015 people live, go to school, work and plan for their futures. sustainable development agenda.1 To capitalize on the huge ▪▪ multi-stakeholder: cooperating with a variety of local, potential of young people, it is now more crucial than ever to national and international stakeholders to address youth devote attention to their unique position. Especially in situa- issues. tions where progress and change are most needed to achieve ▪▪ integrated: ensuring that efforts are focused on all three stability, productivity and equity. cornerstones that concern youth in fragile contexts: governance & services, economic opportunities, and security Youth are both vulnerable… & justice. A major factor contributing to young people’s vulnerability is unemployment. In the absence of thriving businesses and Cornerstones decent jobs, young men and women are forced to work for ▪▪ Examples of Cordaid’s focus on youth and governance & poverty wages. Vulnerable youth are more likely to be suscepti- services are the provision of sexual and productive ble to violence, and to recruitment for electoral disruption, healthcare (SRH) and preventing teenage pregnancies. city gangs or rebel groups. In fragile contexts, young people’s Cordaid’s partners on the ground help young people to frustration is often underpinned by perceptions that society establish a solid foundation for their lives by providing safe or the political system is unjust and corrupt. In such contexts, spaces and high-quality, relevant and affordable education. it is dangerous for them to organize themselves and speak up ▪▪ Efforts focused on youth andsecurity & justice aim to against issues like corruption. achieve equal possibilities for young women and men, include youth in social and political participation and ...and game changers efforts to improve the rule of law, and restore trust in As young people are our future leaders, their contribution and post-conflict situations. leadership in preventing and resolving conflict and violence are ▪▪ To improve economic opportunities for young people, essential to building sustainable peace. With their creativity Cordaid invests in providing them with the practical and and energy, they have the potential to be strong drivers of marketable skills required to earn a decent living and move economic growth, development and innovation. Countries into adulthood. The new skills will also increase their access with large numbers of youth – which is the case in most fragile to credit and finance. contexts – can reap a ‘demographic dividend’ for national development. This refers to a potential boost in economic This position paper shows case-based evidence from Burundi, productivity that occurs when there are growing numbers of El Salvador, the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Middle people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents. East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The cases illustrate Cordaid’s multifaceted approach to investing in youth in fragile countries. Ultimately, however, optimiz- ing youth’s potential will be a joint effort of local, national and international actors. Each with their own areas of expertise, but always working towards the same goal: enabling young people to play their role as game changers.

JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID 3 YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS the WAY FORWARD

THE WAY FORWARD

The young are the future of a nation. This applies in developed to international public donors: a call to transformative action and underdeveloped countries alike. Especially in fragile states ▪▪ match the rhetoric at headquarters level and expressed and contexts (FCS), the sense of urgency to include young people during global political forums with consistent action on as game changers – actors in restoring a stable social fabric that the ground; has often been eroded by conflict and insecurity – is higher than ▪▪ engage youth constructively in shaping political, policy ever. It is 2015, a pivotal year for the global development agenda. and implementation conditions, based strongly on Youth is high on that agenda and rightfully so, as it is high time principles of inclusive development and inclusive politics, to reinforce the necessary preconditions for success of the thus mainstreaming youth requirements in all programs; forthcoming youth agenda. ▪▪ reduce risk aversion when working in FCS; ▪▪ advocate an enabling environment for civil society and What is the way forward? In general, as young people are communities so that they can fight for a stable potential game changers, sustained long term investments in socioeconomic future of their children. their preparedness and resilience on all fronts is vital for peaceful and secure societies. Furthermore, Cordaid recommends: to the private sector: shape, mold and invest ▪▪ engage and invest in FCS, as a fully recognized actor in the to national governments: embrace and invest, invest, invest development architecture; ▪▪ structurally enhance commitments to creating sustainable ▪▪ invest in social and financial structures, like internships opportunities for young people in your country, to prepare and vocational schools and start-up capital, to ensure that them to form a future stable nation; young people become active, productive and competent; ▪▪ secure the inclusion of youth by providing access to ▪▪ bridge the gap between the education programs at qualitative education, health services and economic vocational schools and the actual demand by the private opportunities and by creating jobs; sector and create more junior positions and growth-paths. ▪▪ encourage political participation and gender sensitivity, fundamental human rights and the needs to be met within As for Cordaid: we focus more sharply on young people as game changers a restored social contract between the state and its people (in this context, its young people). Cordaid’s mission – to contribute to the structural social change needed to build flourishing communities in fragile contexts – to civil society and communities: you can make them or break them commits us to pledge continuous and long term investments in ▪▪ involve young people and advocate the youth agenda during young people, as potential game changers and the future of their interactions with government and other stakeholders nations. so as to secure functional social structures, systems and institutions; We consistently mainstream youth and youth targets in our ▪▪ seek more inclusive means for young people to express programming, for example, in RBF in education, security & themselves and participate in awareness-raising among justice and healthcare. the wider population, also when it comes to addressing social norms and practices; We play our part as an international NGO by engaging ▪▪ create and strengthen youth networks and platforms, structurally with the donor community and other stakeholders at national and international level, to promote the to increase their contribution to enhanced socio-economic legitimization of youth and foster their representation in investments in youth in FCS. national and international policymaking processes. We engage with actors like the private sector to contribute to flourishing communities in fragility, and invest in these communities ourselves by providing technical assistance and start capital targeted at youth and business development.

In a world of global interdependencies, it becomes more imperative every day to continually invest in reducing inequality between countries and between people, as a constant precondition for peace and security.

4 JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID YOUTH IN FRAGILITY: VULNERABLE BUT POWERFUL YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS

YOUTH IN FRAGILITY: VULNERABLE BUT POWERFUL

1. Focus on fragility 2015 is a pivotal year for international development cooperation. Flourishing communities Although opinions are still divided on how to best incorporate Cordaid’s mission is to contribute to the structural social peace and security in the post-2015 global development agenda, change needed to build flourishing communities in there is a growing consensus on the importance of focusing fragile contexts. In flourishing communities, people are development efforts in fragile and conflict-affected situations. able to satisfy their fundamental human needs because According to the World Bank and the OECD, by 2015 a third of the social structures and institutions function inclusively world population and half of all people surviving on less than $1.25 and sustainably. They offer their citizens sufficient space a day, will live in societies affected by fragility and conflict.2 to live safely and in dignity, allow them the freedom to It is expected that by 2025, two-thirds of all poor people will speak out and ensure access to high quality and affordable live in fragile states and conflict countries. healthcare and other basic services. A flourishing community offers its members access to opportunities so that Fragility hinders sustainable development. Since the launch of they can realize their potential to participate in social, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000, absolute economic, cultural and spiritual life. There is peace and a poverty as a percentage of the world population has declined and social contract between citizens and the state. In fragile the lives of many poor people have improved. However, progress and conflict-affected areas, flourishing communities are on the MDGs has been very slow, if not stagnant, fragile, at risk or non-existent. In fragile contexts, the level of low-come countries. In fragile contexts, fundamental human citizens engagement and social accountability is below needs continue to go unsatisfied. Young women are unsafe and standard or even absent. In other words the social exploited, children are malnourished and not in school, and contract between citizens and the state is broken down. 4 communities are divided and insecure. Therefore, fragility needs to be tackled if we want to help millions of children and youth, women and men escape poverty and live decent lives in safety.3 2. Why invest in youth in fragile contexts? Fragility also needs to be addressed because, in a world of global interdependencies, unstable countries and regions and increasing Powerful in number but vulnerable by position inequalities between them undermine global peace and security. Today, the world is home to 1.8 billion adolescents and young people. This is the largest youth population in human history.9 Many countries in South Asia, the Middle East, and Sub- Youth: more than an age category Saharan and North Africa have predominantly young popu The United Nations defines youth as persons between the lations. In Africa, the number of young people between the 5 ages of 15 and 24 years old. The term youth, however, refers ages of 14 and 25 is set to double by 2045.10 More than 600 to more than an age category: it is best understood as a key million youth worldwide live in fragile regions.11 Given that the period of transition from the dependence of childhood to youth of today are the leaders of the future, and are therefore adulthood’s independence, a period when children learn to potential game changers, attention for the situation of young 6 engage with society and the world of work. Youth is a social people in fragile contexts is more urgent than ever. construct, the definition and meaning of which vary in different societies around the world. In many societies, It is increasingly emphasized that, compared to parts of the economic self-sufficiency is an important marker to be world where populations are ageing, countries with large recognized as an adult. The lack of opportunities for young numbers of youth can reap a ‘demographic dividend’ for people in fragile regions therefore effectively blocks or national development. A demographic dividend refers to a 7 prolongs their transition to adulthood. At the same time, boost in economic productivity that occurs when there are due to war and social upheaval, youth are often forced growing numbers of people in the workforce compared to the 8 prematurely into adult roles and responsibilities. number of dependents.12 In that light, youth can be strong Cordaid’s programs for youth (described in chapter 2) reflect drivers of economic growth, development and innovation. the reality that youth is a fluid category. Programs in the area of education mostly focus on young people up to the age of 18. Given that the youth of today are Health programs, especially on sexual and reproductive health, similarly focus on adolescents, but also include the leaders of the future - potential people in their twenties, both married and unmarried. game changers - attention for the Other programs that focus on promoting security and justice, entrepreneurship and women’s and youth leadership take a situation of young people in fragile wider definition of youth. This includes not only school leavers contexts is more urgent than ever. and university graduates but also those in their late twenties and early thirties, who due to a lack of employment opportu- This dividend, however, will not materialize automatically. nities have not yet achieved the independence that defines In fragile and conflict-affected contexts, youth have limited adulthood in their society. opportunities to contribute to the development of their

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YOUTH IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS: POWERFUL BY NUMBER, VULNERABLE BY POSITION

1 World Bank – World Development Report 2011 3 UNDP Human Development Index 2014 2 UNFPA 2014

societies. First, young people living in conflict regions are more traumas of the loss of family members and friends, are likely to likely to be poor, malnourished, out of school, or in poor health disturb their personal development. Emotional distress during than in other countries.13 Second, the violence committed and after violent conflict is often exacerbated by displacement, against and perpetrated by young people and the personal the disruption of education and the loss of livelihoods. The collapse of the rule of law and the breakdown of social cohesion also leave youth extremely vulnerable.14 Torch bearers: youth in national and international policy Employment and economic opportunities Young people are an asset to society. Even in the hardest ▪▪ In 2010, the UN Secretary General appointed Ahmad circumstances, they are determined and creative in their fight Alhendawi to serve as the first UN Envoy on Youth. for a better future. Smart and generous investments in health, http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/ relevant education and employment opportunities are needed ▪▪ A coalition of NGOs, youth organizations and UN to support their efforts. Currently, up to 60% of young people in Working Groups contributed to the ‘Global Youth developing regions are not working or in school, or have only Call’ (June 2014), which calls on the international irregular, low quality and low-paid jobs.15 Underemployment is community to place youth priorities and targets a major issue: in the absence of social safety nets, young men at the center of the post-2015 development agenda. and women are forced to work for poverty wages, or perform http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/wp-content/ subsistence jobs on family farms just to survive.16 Not being uploads/2014/09/The-Global-Call-on-Youth_3- able to earn a decent living effectively blocks youth from June-2014.pdf. making the transition to adulthood. They remain economically ▪▪ The UN Secretary General also stresses that and socially marginalized, which affects their relationships “integrating their needs, rights to choice and their with the older generation. Youth in fragile contexts who have voices in the new agenda, will be a key factor for no opportunities at all are likely to be more susceptible success.” He calls young people the “torch bearers” of to violence, and to recruitment for electoral disruption, the sustainable development agenda.22 city gangs or rebel groups. ▪▪ Especially since the Arab Spring uprisings, jobs and opportunities for young people are at the top of the Job creation and entrepreneurship in both rural and urban development agendas for most African governments. areas are of vital importance in fragile and conflict-affected The 17th African Union Summit in Equatorial Guinea contexts. In its 2014 report ‘Ending Conflict and Building Peace and the 12th African Regional Meeting in South in Africa: A Call to Action’, the African Development Bank Africa, both in 2011, were dedicated to the issue. (AfDB) recommends investing in income generation activities ▪▪ In 2014, UNDP published its first organization-wide as an early priority, even in the midst of conflict, as a strategy strategy dedicated to young people: Youth Strategy for promoting peace.17 The World Development Report 2013 2014-2017: Empowered Youth, Sustainable Future. states that “Jobs can (…) have development payoffs for social http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/ cohesion by involving people in productive activities that Democratic%20Governance/Youth/UNDP_Youth- strengthen self-esteem and give them a sense of identity and Strategy-2014-17_Web.pdf status, by rebuilding networks and by giving people a sense that opportunities are fairly distributed.”18 All this is extremely relevant to young people in fragile contexts who may feel

6 JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID YOUTH IN FRAGILITY: VULNERABLE BUT POWERFUL YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS ). D emocracy (PCP Palestinian Centre Palestinian for Peace and D Photo

Sharing experiences during a youth leadership workshop for young people from MENA region

alienated from society. However, jobs alone are no panacea for dangerous for youth to organize themselves. Speaking up and drawing young people away from conflict.19 addressing sensitive issues such as corruption makes them vulnerable. And yet, as stated in the UNDP Youth Strategy, Political participation and peace “Crisis, conflicts and wars will remain unavoidable if we do not While large numbers of unemployed young people may cause a engage youth constructively in the shaping of the social threat to a society’s stability, research suggests that social and contract.” Internationally, it is increasingly being recognized political grievances can be even more central in motivating that young people’s contributions and leadership in preventing youth violence. In fragile contexts, youth frustration is often and resolving conflict and violence – from the community to based on perceptions that society or the political system is the national level – are essential to building sustainable peace. unjust and corrupt or that social norms prevent them from The United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) captures making a successful transition to adulthood. In many parts of the essence of what is at stake when it says “Ensuring the the world, young people are challenging traditional power active, systemic and meaningful participation of youth in structures and advocating for a new social contract between issues of peace and security is a demographic and democratic state and society.20 In fragile regions, however, it is often imperative.”21

Results Based Financing In 2001, Cordaid was one of the first organizations worldwide performance delivered. They are autonomous in the way they to introduce results based financing (RBF) for the healthcare spend it in order to achieve their respective aims (e.g. better sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since then, Cordaid has also equipment or better salaries and training for their staff). A applied this innovative method in the education sector and detailed monitoring and evaluation system is set up to track more recently in security and justice interventions. RBF and award performance. RBF stimulates transparency and essentially consists of a transformative payment and accountability: communities, represented by the end-users of incentive structure, linking funding directly to performance. services, are actively engaged in satisfaction and verification Contrary to the traditional input-funding mechanism, local processes. The outcomes determine the RBF payments. governments, hospitals, schools or the judiciary, receive By involving all relevant actors within the system (from their payment on the basis of agreed indicators and verified national and subnational line ministries, public institutions, output. RBF is more than just a change in the way institutions NGOs and communities), the RBF approach generates are paid: it is a systemic approach for improving performance long-term, sustainable systems. In countries with a large while strengthening the social contract between state youth population, such as Burundi and the Central African institutions and citizens. Police officers, doctors and teachers Republic, these improvements in health, education and are motivated to deliver more services of higher quality. judicial systems directly benefit youth. Money is paid directly to the institutions for the actual

JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID 7

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3. Cordaid’s approachHealthcare Vocational & ▪▪ community-based,Empowerment which emphasizes the need for social professional training Cordaid believes that investing in youth in fragile and con- change that is embedded within local communities where jobs flict-affected contextsEducation is vital for achievingBuilding sustainable a business peace youthGender live, equality go to school, work and plan for their futures and development. Since youth are in a unique position, both ▪▪ integrated, which ensures that efforts are focused on all vulnerable and powerful,Safe spaces Cordaid believes theyAccess are to financepart of the threeRule of areas law that concern youth: governance & services, solution to the difficulties in their societies. Youth as game economic opportunities, and security & justice changers are a key to a less fragile, more peaceful and more ▪▪ multi-stakeholder, which brings youth together with a equitable future.23 Therefore, Cordaid chooses to include youth variety of local, national and international stakeholders not just as beneficiaries, but as partners and leaders in the process of building peace and development. Youth who Cordaid focuses on three cornerstones (see visual): become active members of their societies will contribute to restoring the social fabric that has been eroded by conflict Governance and services and insecurity. For Cordaid, this is a crucial step on the way to building flourishing communities. Health: In many fragile regions, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is a major concern. It strongly diminishes young The priorities and possibilities to include youth in development women’s chances of completing their education and finding and peace programs depend on local contexts and levels of employment.24 For young men, premature pregnancy imposes fragility. financial and social obligations they are not yet ready to handle. Cordaid implements the Next Generation program to Youth are not just beneficiaries, but increase young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health, which is vital to realization of their full potential. partners and leaders in the process Results based financing (RBF, see box on page 7) is used to of building peace and development. strengthen the entire healthcare chain.

In certain countries, health and education are the feasible entry Education: Helping young people establish foundations for their points. In other countries, including youth in security and lives starts by providing high-quality, relevant and affordable justice issues or active community leadership and entrepreneur- education. Cordaid introduced RBF to strengthen the ship are both possible and promising. Regardless of the context, educational sector, to ensure more equal access to education Cordaid’s vision and track record on how to support the poten for girls and boys, and to help equip young people with tial of youth in fragile contexts is based on three principles: the skills they need to create economic opportunities for

8 JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID YOUTH IN FRAGILITY: VULNERABLE BUT POWERFUL YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS

themselves and their societies. Cordaid also supports schools Economic opportunities in teaching mutual respect and peaceful conflict resolution from a young age. Vocational & professional training: Youth in fragile regions need practical and marketable skills to be able to earn a living and Safe spaces: Young people urgently need spaces where they can move into adulthood. In post-conflict countries electricians, come together in safety and interact with and learn from their carpenters, accountants, etc. are needed to rebuild the econo- peers. The daily insecurity that exists in conflict and fragile my. For those whose education was interrupted by conflict, areas impedes their development. Young people run the access to vocational training is especially important. Given highest risk of becoming victims of sexual violence and that the majority of youth live in rural areas, Cordaid also attracting HIV, or being recruited into fighting forces or gangs. supports them with skills and techniques to improve agricul- Cordaid actively involves youth in creating safe spaces that tural productivity and start small processing activities.26 benefit communities as a whole. Access to finance: Youth who have the capacity to start a business Security and justice need access to credit and financial services. They need capital to invest in equipment, supplies and services. In many fragile Gender equality: In many fragile regions, girls and young women contexts the banking sector is underdeveloped. Access to are deprived of equal opportunities for healthcare, education finance is vital for those who do not meet commercial bank and employment and are more vulnerable to human rights requirements on collateralization, formal registration, violations. For boys, gender norms around being ‘real men’ can financial track record, etc. Cordaid’s Stability Impact Fund has lead to destructive behavior.25 Cordaid focuses on relevant a target of 30% youth beneficiaries.27 responses to the issues faced by young women and men to help achieve equal opportunities for both. Building a business: Entrepreneurship can help to draw young people away from conflict and give them opportunities for the Empowerment: Young people in fragile contexts are often future. Young entrepreneurs not only create their own work excluded from social and political participation. This affects and possibly employ others, but also gain experience, marketa- relationships between generations and between young people ble skills, responsibility and self-esteem while contributing to and state authorities. At the same time, rapid changes in social overall social cohesion.28 Cordaid develops business develop- norms in post-conflict contexts may open up opportunities for ment services to support youth who are at a disadvantage youth to reassert themselves. Cordaid develops leadership because they lack work experience, relevant know-how and programs for youth, with special attention for young women, networks. Youth in rural areas benefit from access to relevant to support their participation in decisions that affect them and market information about costs, markets and quality and their societies. By drawing upon their perception, knowledge availability of inputs. and ideas, young people build competences and gain a sense of belonging.

Rule of law: Youth are disproportionally affected by violent conflict and at the same time face more challenges than adults in gaining access to justice. Cordaid develops programs that encourage youth to participate in efforts to improve the rule of law, e.g. through community security committees or youth platforms. When young people feel protected by community and state institutions, this will help to build trust among generations and within society as a whole.

JANUARY 2015 © CORDAID 9 YOUTH: GAME CHANGERS IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS CASE 1: BURUNDI

CASE 1: BURUNDI CAUTIOUS STEPS FOR YOUTH IN AN UPHILL STRUGGLE

jobs INVESTING IN YOUTH IN BURUNDI, CORDAID’S FOOTPRINTBuilding a business

jobs Healthcare Building a business Kirundo Education Rwanda jobs jobs jobs Healthcare Building a business Building a businessBuilding a business Rule of Law Tanzania Muyinga Education CibitokeHealthcare Healthcare jobs Ngozi jobs Vocationaljobs & Building a business HealthcareBuilding a business EducationprofessionalBuilding training a business Education Rule of Law Kayanza jobs Healthcare Rule of Law Building a business Rule of Law EducationHealthcare Healthcare

Vocational & jobs jobs Bubanza Education jobs professional training Dem. Rep. Vocational & VocationalBuildingBuildingKaruzi & a business a Educationbusiness BuildingCankuzo a business professional trainingEducation professional training Rule of Lawjobs of the Congo Healthcare Building a business RuleMuramvya of Law Rule of Law jobs Rule of Law Healthcare Building a business Healthcare Healthcare BujumburaEducation Bujumbura Vocational &jobs VocationalVocational & & Healthcare jobs professional trainingBuilding a businessEducation professional training Vocationaljobs & professional training Mairie BuildingBuilding a business a business Education Education HealthcareprofessionalRule trainingMwaro of Law Ruyigi Education GitegaRule of Law Healthcare Education Rule of Law RuleRule of ofLaw Law Bujumbura Healthcare Vocational & Vocational & Rural Healthcare Education Rule of Law professional training professional training jobs Vocational & VocationalVocational & & Education Building a business professional training Rule of Law professional training professional training Vocationaljobs &Education professional trainingBuildingRule a business of Law Bururi Vocational & RutanaHealthcare professional training Rule of Law HealthcareVocational & Education professionaljobs training Building a business Education Rule of Law Vocational & Rule of Law Healthcare Tanzania professional training Vocational & Makamba professional training Education Vocational & professional training Rule of Law

Vocational & professional training

Burundi, a country with a stunning landscape of green years.29 With no land available to them and very few job rolling hills in Africa’s Great Lakes Region, has long been opportunities, the prospects for youth in Burundi are bleak. On plagued by social and political conflict. In 2008, the civil war the Youth Development Index, which measures performance that had started in 1993 came to an end and the country on fifteen indicators of education, health, employment, began its transition to democracy. The current peace, political and civic participation, Burundi ranks 160th out of 170 however, is fragile. Apart from political instability, the countries (2013).30 In 2008, the government formulated a country also suffers from poverty and land shortage. National Youth Policy and established a national youth council Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world, (CNJB).31 At the time, the main aim of the policy was to include ranking 180 of 187 countries on UNDP’s Human youth in the country’s process of reconciliation and national Development Index (2014). Nearly 90% of the population reconstruction, while emphasizing the importance of young lives in rural areas, the majority are subsistence farmers. people completing (vocational) training and entering productive employment. The urgency of the latter is evident, given Despite the country’s fertile soils and favorable climate, the that at least half of the youth is unemployed or high population density (2nd highest in Sub-Saharan Africa) underemployed.32 imposes considerable stress on land. Most families have less than one hectare of farmland, which is not enough to make a In Burundi, as is the case in many countries, the potential of living. Food insecurity and malnutrition are widespread. The youth for society is scarcely recognized. Their rights are not situation is worsening as former refugees are returning home guaranteed and they are often looked upon as a threat to the and claiming rights to arable land. status quo. The vulnerable position of many young people makes them easy victims of manipulation. In the run up to the Burundi’s population structure, a typical broad-based pyramid, country’s general elections in 2015, political parties are actively does not ease the situation. On average, women in Burundi give recruiting at secondary schools and universities, tempting birth to six children. 65% of the population is younger than 25 students with the promise of a job. The fact that young people

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BURUNDI’S POPULATION PYRAMID Attitude and Practices (KAP) baseline survey assessing the sexual health of young people aged 15 to 24, shows the frequent Male Burundi - 2014 Female occurrence of perceptions such as ‘condoms are only for 100+ immoral persons’ (32%) or ‘a woman shouldn’t insist that her 95 - 99 90 - 94 partner uses a condom, as he could think that she doesn’t trust 85 - 89 him’ (50%).34 Youth often face significant barriers to accessing 80 - 84 75 - 79 sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and are greatly 70 - 74 65 - 69 dependent on the support they receive from their social 60 - 64 networks, such as parents and other adults in the community.35 55 - 59 50 - 54 45 - 49 40 - 44 The shared vision is a democratic 35 - 39 30 - 34 25 - 29 state that guarantees the security 20 - 24 15 - 19 of the people and ensures access to 10 - 14 5 - 9 0 - 4 agricultural land, basic healthcare, 960 768 576 384 192 0 0 192 384 576 768 960 education and employment Population (in thousands) Age Group Population (in thousands) opportunities for all young people.

are playing a part in the mounting political tensions may prove Early marriages and a high incidence of sexual and gender- harmful to the delicate trust that exists between generations. based violence also affect the wellbeing of youth, especially The 2015 elections will be a litmus test for Burundi’s democra- that of girls and young women. The widespread occurrence of tic process and stability. Cordaid is following developments sexual violence is a problem that is entrenched in communi- closely from its country office in Bujumbura, which was opened ties: a quarter of the female respondents of a baseline study in 1998. Together with its local partners, Cordaid contributes to reported having been a victim of sexual violence and most of the strengthening of Burundi’s judicial system and govern- those abuses were committed by a person known to them ment institutions. The shared vision is a democratic state that (friend, colleague, neighbor, family member or partner).36 guarantees the security of the people and ensures access to This problem therefore needs to be tackled through the same agricultural land, basic healthcare, education and employment communities. opportunities for all young people. SRH Next Generation program 1. Healthcare for youth In a country where overpopulation, scarcity of land and poverty Young people across Burundi are severely affected by the lack of have been sources of tension and conflict for decades, adequate access to sexual and reproductive health services. Only 2% of access to reproductive health services for youth can contribute sexually active adolescents (15-19 years) use modern contracep- to socio-economic development and stability in the long term. tives.33 Adolescent pregnancy rates are high, which may explain Together with its partners, Cordaid is implementing a program the high rate of school dropout among girls. A Knowledge in six provinces37 in Burundi called the SRH Next Generation

YOUTH IN BURUNDI

1 UNDP Human Development Index 2014 3 Commonwealth Youth Development Index 2 4 See note 33 on page 31 CIA World Factbook

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Adolescent pregnancy rates are high in fragile regions

program.38 The program aims to prevent unwanted teenage integration of quality SRH services in all six provinces. “We pregnancies by making sure that young people are better consciously chose to work through the national RBF system informed about sexual and reproductive health, have better access instead of creating a parallel financing system for selected to contraceptives and other family planning commodities and the clinics,” says Queffelec. “In this way we make sure that the provision of youth friendly health services by public and private improvements in SRH services cover all clinics in the six health facilities. The program uses many different means and provinces and thus benefit their entire population.” Cordaid channels to reach out to young people in rural and urban areas. pays the Ministry based on the quality and output criteria for Clinics and health centers are participating in the program, but SRH that have been incorporated into the national RBF system. also secondary schools and youth centers. Innovative entrepre- Output criteria for SRH include, for instance, the number of neurial approaches to improve access to SRH services have also clients given contraceptives, the number of prenatal and been adopted. postnatal consultations, and the number of women giving birth under the supervision of skilled health staff.

“ At the end of the civil war, healthcare services in Secondly, Cordaid selected one health center in each province and helped them dedicate a physical space and develop an SRH the country were basically destroyed. Results based program for youth. The health providers in these centers were financing has been key in rebuilding them. Between trained on how to deliver youth-friendly services. Young people 2006 and 2010, Cordaid piloted this approach in that visit these centers receive sexual education, with special attention for gender-based violence, and are offered voluntary three provinces. It was so successful that it was HIV testing and contraceptives in a safe environment. “The scaled up nationally and adopted by the government program taught us how to receive and approach young people as the health financing reform method.” in a way that they don’t get bored or scared,” says the head nurse of a clinic in Butare. “We have now dedicated a separate René Queffelec, Cordaid Country Manager, Burundi room to serve as a youth centre. This allows us to help them much better and the young people in turn feel free to tell us what their needs are. Thanks to this, our clinic has become a The first step was to integrate quality SRH services within true meeting place for youth from the area.” Burundi’s healthcare system. Cordaid has long been involved in improving healthcare services on a structural basis. Today, It was not easy to get the health centers to embrace this Cordaid works with the Ministry of Health to support the program. “The majority of the health providers at first refused

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to speak to unmarried youth about contraception and were Cordaid, “is that the palette of interventions at different levels even less willing to distribute condoms,” says Queffelec. all work together towards the same goal: making sure that “Government policy explicitly allows the distribution of quality SRH services are available and that women, girls and condoms, but in practice the majority of health providers think boys are empowered to make decisions on their sexual and that the only appropriate advice to youth is abstinence.” The reproductive health based on full and objective information.” fact that the youth-friendly health centers are now actually giving out condoms to youth is a major achievement. However, Cordaid wants to take it a step further. “We train girls on how Healthy entrepreneurs to say no to unwanted sex,” says Queffelec. “We also teach them Healthy Entrepreneurs is a Dutch social enterprise with to negotiate the use of condoms, but in the end it is the boy offices in Burundi, Rwanda, the DRC and Haiti. The who decides. Therefore we want the health centers to start ‘healthy entrepreneurs’ project in Burundi is organized providing other contraceptives too, especially injectables and as a social franchise at community level. Carefully pills. Girls need to have control over their sexuality, and this selected young men and women invest $100 and in will only happen if they have access to female contraceptives.” return receive $400 value of commodities (contraceptives and a small range of hygiene products). They also receive Peer education a tablet to use for peer educational purposes and a bicycle A third aspect of the Next Generation program is training to get around, both on lease. They must be able to read young people as peer educators, so far more than 2,000 in the and write in French, have a good reputation in their six provinces. They act as role models for their peers and neighborhood, social skills to talk to peers, and some encourage them to speak out and ask uncomfortable but very entrepreneurial or marketing experience. necessary questions about sexuality. Some peer educators are linked to the youth-friendly health centers, while others are After they have completed the training on SRH, entre- based at secondary schools, where they speak with their peers preneurship and the use of tablets, they are ready to start in school clubs. Cordaid has also trained peer educators who work. With their suitcase of merchandise, they approach work in existing youth centers in the communities in order to other young people in market places, youth centers or address the biggest challenge: reaching youth that do not go to schools. “This work is not easy,” says Jacob, one of the school. Together they form a network of peer educators, who initial 25 young entrepreneurs trained by the program. are trained and brought together regularly to exchange “Many young people are ashamed to listen to sexual experiences. education in public. So I motivate them by making some jokes, showing them the videos and meanwhile making sure they get the message. I teach them how they can protect themselves against HIV and show them the quality products that we sell. It is not easy but I’m proud to do this work because I am helping to improve the health of my generation.” Jacob and his fellow entrepreneurs gain a modest income, new skills and a boost to their self-confidence. The data from all the tablets is registered in a central location, so that the educational efforts of the entrepreneurs can be followed. Meanwhile this innovative social venture ensures better supply chain management and accessibility of SRH commodities for youth in underserved, rural areas.

Cordaid Speaking up on taboos Cordaid’s Next Generation program approaches youth as Photo change agents that should be able to make better informed Healthy entrepreneurs: SRH education through peers decisions and can play an active part in solutions. Young people, however, are confronted with socio-cultural barriers that prevent them from deciding on sexual and reproductive Other channels that the program uses to reach youth, inclu- health, and many have internalized accepted cultural norms ding those who are not at school, are community theatre, radio on sexuality promoted by the church. A large-scale survey programs and social media. Even in remote areas, conventional shows that while 85% of young people, both male and female, media and the internet are important sources of information report that contraceptive methods are both useful to avoid for youth and therefore serve as significant platforms for the pregnancies and promote safe sex, more than a third of the dissemination of knowledge about sexual and reproductive respondents (42% of females, 32% of males) at the same time health. A new approach that started in 2014 is a social franchise report that the use of contraceptives is a sin.39 To be able to implemented together with the Dutch social enterprise address cultural and religious norms, the Next Generation Healthy Entrepreneurs (see box). “The strength of the program,” program includes faith-based organizations in its activities, says Christina de Vries, Women’s Health Innovation advisor at trains male peer educators to talk to other men, and

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encourages traditional and religious leaders as well as health workers and traditional birth attendants to publicly discuss the importance of SRH services.

Improving data The Next Generation program focuses its activities on three age cohorts: 10-14, 15-19 and 20-24 years. Experience shows that it is important to include girls and boys of 10 to 14 years old when preventing teenage pregnancies is a major goal. Thanks to advocacy by Cordaid and its partner in the program, Swiss TPH, the software used for the national Health Management Information System has Cordaid been expanded to allow the collection of statistical data Photo from all clinics in the country, disaggregated according to age and gender. This will yield invaluable evidence-based Children need to be taught by the best teachers available information about youth and their access to SHR services, which was not available before. The data will be used to lobby for adding specific indicators about youth to the RBF indicators were determined for different areas, including contracts. infrastructure and equipment (ranging from building new classrooms to availability of desks and books), school governance and financial management, security and hygiene, relation ships with the parents and community, and human resource 2. Education management. Since the end of the war in Burundi, the percentage of children enrolled in primary school has gone up exponentially, from 59% in 2005 to 95.6% in 2014.40 The government of Burundi has “ Our goal is to improve the overall quality of made primary education both free and compulsory. The achievements are impressive but the surge in school attendan- education. We want to bring the dropout and ce also has its drawbacks. There are not enough qualified repetition rates down, and at the same time we teachers, classrooms, desks and books. As a result, 45% of classes want students to complete school with the skills are on double shifts, which reduces the time children spend in school and affects the quality of both teaching and learning. they need to succeed in society and to contribute Other big problems are the number of children dropping out of to the development of our country. This will only primary school, 8.5% in 2014, and the number that have to happen if you take into account the full learning repeat the same class, which is as high as 24.5% in 2013/2014.41 Dropout rates at secondary school are similarly high.42 experience. Schools need to focus on more than Furthermore, what students learn in school is not compatible just the number of students or their test scores.” with what is needed to find a job afterwards. In response to this, the government of Burundi initiated a reform process for Dr. Rose Kamariza, Cordaid Education Program Manager, the educational sector in 2013. The system of six years primary Burundi and six years secondary education has been replaced with the école fondamentale, which aims to give children a robust set of life skills and knowledge in a timespan of nine years. Those who Indicators were also introduced for the recruitment of compe- have the opportunity can continue with another three years of tent staff. “We hope the financial incentives will help to make senior secondary school. the process more transparent and fair. Our concern is that children are taught by the best teachers available,” says RBF in education Kamariza. The commune directorates of education are now In support of the government’s reforms, Cordaid started an introducing a formal assessment procedure including exams RBF program in the northwestern province Bubanza in 2014 for new staff, while the inspection will be verifying the quality (for an explanation of the RBF approach, see the box on page 7). of teaching in the classrooms. Indicators are also introduced The RBF approach hinges on including as many stakeholders as for punctuality, which, according to Kamariza, has an immedi- possible in the change process, which in this case means the ate effect. “Teachers who often arrived late at school now make participation of directorates and inspectorates of education at sure they are on time because they know their attendance is provincial and commune43 level, and the management com- being monitored and that they can receive a small bonus on mittees at the different schools. The latter are composed of the top of their salary for punctuality and coming to class well school principal, parents, teachers and students. These diffe- prepared,” she says. rent stakeholders have been brought together to discuss priorities, and workshops have been organized for the school In September 2014, the first RBF contracts were signed with management to help them formulate a strategy plan for their 81 schools across Bubanza province, reaching 50,955 girls and school. Based on these discussions, sets of performance boys. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the teachers and

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management of the participating schools, as they realize that these parents in their role as representatives of the community. the future of their school is now more than ever in their own “It is important that parents are engaged with what happens at hands: the better they perform on the agreed indicators, the their children’s schools. The new RBF system is an encourage- more resources they will have to invest in their school, their ment to do so,” says Kamariza. Because the performance data staff and their students. “The RBF system makes financing will be made public, parents will have a much better insight more transparent and less bureaucratic,” says Kamariza. into the problems and the achievements of the schools in their “It introduces a healthy dose of competitiveness among schools, community. “This really empowers the parents. They can use and among teachers as well, which will surely help to improve this knowledge constructively to support the school’s efforts the quality of our children’s education.” The program also and make sure their children receive the quality education addresses the problem of early drop out, which is often related they deserve.” to unwanted teenage pregnancies and early marriages. The RBF contracts that are negotiated with the schools include indicators for providing sex education, as part of the curricu- “ Youth are the country’s future leaders. But if lum or as an extracurricular activity, and for every girl that attends school and completes her education, the schools are they are not allowed to participate in society paid a higher subsidy than that is paid for boys. and do not really feel supported by the state and its institutions, they can also be a cause of more Respect education instability.” In January 2015, Cordaid will start a project in five of the Pamphile Nyandwi, Cordaid Security & Justice Program schools that participate in the RBF program, supported Manager, Burundi by the Dutch Respect Education Foundation. The project builds on the positive experiences with a similar project in Mindanao in the Philippines.44 “The aim of the program is to improve the quality of education by creating a learning 3. Engaging youth in security and justice environment where every child feels safe, accepted and able Improving relationships and trust between state authorities to fully develop him or herself,” says Marjolein Albers, and the people is very important for sustainable peace in director of the foundation, who visited Burundi in 2014. Burundi. In Burundi, trust in institutions, which still fail “Teachers are trained to use techniques that make for a to deliver basic services despite the incremental process of more interesting learning environment where cooperative democratization, is low. The police are facing difficulties in learning as well as the development of social-emotional guaranteeing security and challenges within the justice skills are promoted.” Part of the pedagogy is to work much system make it hard for people to access legal services. more in groups and to let children discuss issues among Corruption is considered endemic: Burundi ranks 159th themselves instead of just listening to the teacher in silence out of 174 countries on the Corruption Perception Index and copying notes. “We are excited about this new project (2014, Transparency International). Young people in particular because it responds very well to the Burundian context,” are victims of this: they lack the contacts, networks and says Rose Kamariza. The conventional teaching methodolo- experience to navigate the system, and are disgruntled about gies at primary and secondary schools in the country do this situation, but have little voice or influence to demand not stimulate children to become independent thinkers. change. “I believe children can gain a lot of self-confidence if they are encouraged to really participate in the learning process. Restoring trust At the same time they will learn to value the different In 2014, Cordaid started the Renforcement de Sécurité Locale opinions and abilities of their peers.” According to (Strengthening Local Security) program in Burundi.45 Kamariza, this is very important in Burundi, where people It builds on experiences with a similar program in the South and communities have become divided by twenty years of Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aim is conflict. “Adults have been deeply marked by this history,” to restore people’s trust in state authorities by improving the she says. “But we have to be hopeful about the new generati- performance of government administration, the police and the on. If our children can learn to respect differences and judicial sector. Improved functioning will increase confidence resolve problems without violence, the future of Burundi will in the institutions, which in turn will reinforce the legitimacy look a lot brighter. This new conscience must be encouraged of the state. If access to justice is improved, people will be less in children from the very first day they start school.” inclined to take the law into their own hands, which may help to break the vicious cycle of conflicts in Burundi. The program works through the Comités Mixtes de Sécurité (CMS), a Cordaid’s local partner organization ADIS will conduct the framework of local security committees set up by the govern- first round of verifications at all schools under RBF contract ment. The CMS are made up of people from the communities in January 2015. The outcomes will be shared at a gathering and representatives of different local state institutions. with the provincial department of education, to which school The government stipulated that 40% of the members of committees will also be invited. Each school in Burundi is the CMS have to be young, but gave no age definition. obliged to have a school committee that consists of the princip- During CMS gatherings, representatives of local administrati- al, several teachers and students, a representative from civil ons, local tribunals, the police and civil society discuss and society and/or the church, and four parents. Cordaid is training prioritize urgent security issues. Together they agree on a

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Community Security Plan (CSP), with as much detail as possible “Through their participation in every step of the process,” on what needs to be done, who is responsible and when the says Pamphile Nyandwi, “they will play an important role in action needs to be taken. Cordaid’s partner VNG International assessing and consolidating peace at community level, and local partner ABELO facilitate this process. Despite the which is the indispensable stepping stone for a peaceful differences between them, all six communities where the future for our country.” process has thus far taken place prioritized land conflicts and family issues, especially inheritance issues and violence against women, as the most urgent security issues. The Peace and youth leadership participants also pointed at the failing response of the formal Cordaid’s local partner SOPRAD promotes sustainable institutions to these conflicts. As a result, most women that development at community level. For development efforts suffer from sexual and domestic violence do not report these to be successful, social cohesion and trust within and abuses to the police or courts. “Mistrust between the police and between communities need to be restored. In the past the people runs deep,” says Alexandra Kuin, Cordaid program ten years, SOPRAD has successfully initiated more than manager. “Most people consider the police poorly disciplined 60 Justice and Peace groups at secondary schools in the and trained and sometimes even abusive. However, the work diocese of Ruyigi in eastern Burundi. The students and of the committees showed that when local police officers and their teachers promote the values of human rights within community members are brought together to discuss problems their communities. In 2015, Cordaid’s support to SOPRAD that affect everyone, this helps them find common ground. will help to strengthen the groups through training People realize that in the end they all want the same thing: courses. The elections in 2015, a litmus test for the a peaceful society for themselves and their families.” country’s democratic process, will be a focus of their activities. Previous members of the groups who are now It is a complex process, but university students remain involved and share their views and experiences with students at secondary including all the relevant schools. stakeholders is the key to In the run-up to the 2015 elections, Cordaid is supporting success and sustainability. another project to increase the participation of youth and women in the electoral process, both as voters and The role that youth representatives play in the CMS meetings candidates. In Burundi, the percentage of women in differs per community. “In some communities, we saw youth decision-making positions is high at national level (46% leaders fiercely representing their need to play an active and women in the Senate, more than 30% women in the productive role in society,” says Rob Sijstermans, Security and government and National Assembly), but very low (less Justice advisor at Cordaid. “They engaged with the local than 5%) at local (colline) level where the decisions are administration and the police on sensitive topics like taken that impact their lives the most. Four local organi- corruption and the use of government funds. Other partici- zations are training young women and men in twenty pants felt uneasy about their outspokenness, but the youth communities in the provinces of Bururi, Makamba and leaders stood their ground. In other communities, however, Mwaro. Potential electoral candidates are given training young people were clearly silenced by more powerful actors. on democratic principles, communication, negotiation There, fear governed the relationships.” and advocacy techniques, and the formulation and presentation of a political program. Representatives from Safer communities through RBF the Ministries of the Interior and Gender and the The second phase of the Strengthening Local Security program, governors of the provinces attended the launch of the conducted in collaboration with local partner ADIS, is to sign program. “It is important that programs like this receive results-based contracts with institutions from the justice support from the country’s administration,” says sector, local administration and the police. These contracts will Triphonie Habonimana, advisor for Women’s Leadership include a list of indicators, such as the number of surveillance at the local Cordaid office. “Burundi is a patriarchal rounds conducted by police posts in high-tension areas, the country, where young women have little opportunity to number of sexual violence cases treated by police women, the express their thoughts and ideas. The fact that the number of cases registered and handled by the tribunals, or the institutions welcome our program is a significant number of land cases resolved by the local administration. encouragement for them and for us too.” She is convinced Results achieved on all the different indicators are verified and of the importance of involving young people in all social form the basis for payments to the different institutions (see and political processes. “They are the foundation of our box on RBF on page 7). The program is introducing RBF to country,” she says. “And a country is like a house; the strengthen the local security and justice sector, while at foundation must be solid enough to withstand all sorts national level it seeks to cooperate with the Ministries of of stormy weather. The capacities that we are building Justice, Interior, Security and Local Development, as well as through this program help young women in particular with the first Vice Presidency. It is a complex process, but not to shy away from sharing their opinions and deve- including all the relevant stakeholders is a key measure for loping their talents as leaders.” success and sustainability. In February 2015, the first performance contracts will be signed. The local security committees will be involved in the implementation process of the project.

Another inspiring organization that Cordaid has partnered with is Kaz’O’zah Art, a social enterprise started by Ange- Noëlle Muyubira, a native Burundian who lived in England for 10 years before returning to Burundi to start her own company. Her organization supports Burundian artisans to become better at their trade and make higher quality products for both tourist and international markets. The skills and traditional craftsmanship techniques of the artisans are used for making jewelry, garments, home goods, etc. that have a modern flair and stand out in quality and beauty. More than 200 artists are involved in the project, 28 of whom are employed full-time. Cordaid Muyubira: “We do not merely create jobs,” says Muyubira. “We help our members to open bank accounts, build their Photo credit credibility, and obtain home loans, and are now starting Production of honey is an attractive business, especially to young people to offer literacy and life skills classes. We help the artists to build a business and become self-sufficient.” Cordaid supports a training program in 2015 called the Art Innovation Incubator. 4. Youth entrepreneurship Selected artists will receive vocational training (e.g. woodwork, Widespread unemployment and underemployment of youth is weaving, jewelry making, tailoring or leatherwork) and one of the most pressing social problems facing fragile regions. training on vital entrepreneurial skills. “We will teach them This is no different in Burundi. Investing in income-generating basics such as how to keep accounts, how to approach potential activities, job creation and entrepreneurship are therefore not customers, how to form business partnerships or small only vital strategies for development but also for sustainable cooperatives, and the importance of savings, investment, and peace. long term business planning,” says Muyubira. “There is much talent among young budding artists, but many of them have Promising initiatives little hope for the future. This program will help them to In Burundi, entrepreneurship among young people is still in overcome poverty and will nourish an entrepreneurial spirit its infancy. School leavers and university graduates want civil that is invaluable for their future.” service jobs, but for most of them this ambition will remain unfulfilled. This is why Cordaid was so impressed with Le Parc Including youth in agriculture for food security des Jeunes Entrepreneurs (PARJE). PARJE is run by young people Burundi is a rural country. Around 90% of the population who have come together to support each other with ideas and works in (subsistence) agriculture. Civil war and poverty have advice on how to run a small enterprise. They have set up a undermined the country’s food security. Only a third of the rotating fund among themselves to help each other make population is food-secure and nearly two-thirds are chronically periodic small investments in their budding enterprises. malnourished. Even during the harvest season households “Their initiative and entrepreneurial spirit are quite unique,” spend up to two-thirds of their income on food. The country’s says country manager René Queffelec. “They have developed land shortage affects youth disproportionally. Only when from what I’d call a self-help group into a small organization young men get married do they inherit a small piece of land that now supports other young people who want to start a from their father, but due to economic hardship many are business.” PARJE rents office space from where they organize forced to delay marriage. It is possible, for both men and workshops, invite university lecturers and people from the women, to buy land but very few young people have the private sector to teach them business skills, and visit other means to do so. Cordaid therefore supports agricultural businesses to learn and be inspired. PARJE reaches out to activities for youth that do not depend on land ownership. likeminded youth through their website, Facebook and other In 2014, through its partner organization COPED (Burundian social media.46 Cordaid will support the work of PARJE in 2015. Organization for Education and Development), Cordaid started to support 600 honey producers, most of them young, in the provinces of Bururi and Makamba. “The production of honey is “ The world is changing quickly and young people an attractive business, especially to young people,” says Ron Delnoije, Food Security program manager, “because it brings a in our country are at risk of being left behind. quick return. One modern beehive can harvest up to 40 kg of We support young people with solid plans, who honey a year, which can be sold for US$2.50 per kilo. With some are committed to building a business, by providing participants keeping five beehives, this means potential earnings of US$500, a considerable income for rural youth.” leadership training, mentoring and coaching, and Beekeeping is widespread in Burundi, but traditional practices building their networks. Like the organizations give only a low yield. Beehives hung in trees can only be used and people we work with, I’m convinced that once. COPED trains the participants in new production techniques to improve both the quantity and quality of the encouraging entrepreneurship is the best way yield. They also receive training in marketing skills and are to create sustainable and decent jobs.” encouraged to organize themselves in cooperatives. COPED provides the beehives as a loan to be paid back. This helps to Emile Uwezowamungu, director of PARJE ensure the sustainability of the activities, and the results from

2014 show that they are profitable enough for the participants Associations des Caféiculteurs du Burundi (CNAC)) to increase to continue independently after the first startup loan. youth and women’s involvement in the coffee sector. Coffee growers are organized into cooperatives. These cooperatives Coffee is Burundi’s most important export product and the have set up savings and credit groups that will benefit youth quality it produces is one of the best in the world. Half of all and women, who are invited to propose an income-generating farmers grow coffee. However, producing cash crops like coffee activity to be financed through these groups. Each household is considered a male activity. Even though women and youth can nominate one proposal. The activities include processing play an important part in the work on the plantations, due to a agricultural produce, cattle breeding and honey production. lack of resources and socio-cultural barriers including land Through their income from these activities, the participants ownership rules, it is very difficult for them to produce coffee not only contribute to household income, but can also build on their own. Because coffee is a perennial crop that does their own assets, which may allow them to enter the coffee not generate revenue immediately, it is also less attractive to market. The project will include young people and women young people. Cordaid has started a project together with the from 750 households in five provinces. national coffee cooperation (La Confédération Nationale des

CASE 2: EL SALVADOR MEJICANOS CITY PARK: A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUTH

San Salvador, the capital of the Central American country of El Salvador, is not exactly a safe city. The slums on its outskirts in particular are plagued by violence. The barrio, or neighborhood, of Mejicanos, in the northwest of San Salvador, is one of these areas. Street gangs, maras in local slang, compete for territory, leaving death in their wake. High unemployment and a lack of basic services make life a daily struggle for most families.

For the youth of Mejicanos, who grow up with violence, the gangs have a strong appeal. Gang life can earn them the respect they are deprived of in ‘normal’ society. “There are some 30,000 gang members in San Salvador,” says Rosa Vargas, Urban Matters program expert at Cordaid. “Most of them come from broken families. A substantial percentage of the population are migrant workers in the United States. The children who are left behind grow up without parents, drop out of school, have no money and no work. For them, gang life serves as a surrogate family.” However, the maras have a destructive effect on the social fabric of Mejicanos and their violence locks the community in a vicious circle of poverty and marginalization. For young generations, opportunities for a better future are few and far between.

“ A park will offer children a safe place to play, Cordaid and provides young people and adolescents with a place to hang out and engage in sports, Photo without the pressures of gang life.” To have a safe place where they can go means a lot to young people

Gloria Lopez, volunteer community leader the parents who constantly worry about their children.” Felicita Ramos, another inhabitant of Mejicanos, lost two of her In an attempt to break this pattern, Cordaid supports and sons to gang violence. She salutes the new city park as a place coordinates a consortium comprising the municipality, of refuge for her daughter. Felicita is looking forward to residents, local NGOs and businesses that is constructing a participating in the communal urban farming project, which brand new city park. Located in the middle of the Mejicanos will secure food on her table and, she hopes, earn her some slum, this area for sports, recreation and urban agriculture is much-needed extra income. “This project will offer me an the first of its kind in the metropolis of San Salvador. It has opportunity to work and give the children the chance of a become the community’s focus for change. The inhabitants of healthier and safer upbringing.” Mejicanos, who are frustrated by the lack of services and the insecurity in their neighborhood, came up with the idea of a ‘It takes trust’ city park. Gloria Lopez, one of the volunteer community The Mejicanos city park is a multi-stakeholder project. Cordaid leaders, stresses its importance. 21-year-old Jorge Isaac Olano secured some of the initial funding and continues to act as a wished a place like that had existed when he was younger. process facilitator, but most of the time, energy and money Jorge spent most of his youth on the crime-infested streets of spent on the project comes from other, local actors. Cordaid’s his neighborhood. His father had left the family when Jorge involvement in the city park exemplifies a new approach. was only seven years old, forcing his mother to work long hours “Development agencies like Cordaid are used to playing the outside the home. Jorge managed to stay out of the clutches of part of problem-solvers,” says Rosa Vargas. “They are keen to the Mara Salvatrucha, the gang controlling his part of the take ownership of a situation, providing problem analysis, neighborhood, by keeping a low profile – a small miracle. “To solutions and funding. Other parties are considered mere have a safe place to go to will mean so much for the young additional factors in this process. The multi-stakeholder people growing up in Mejicanos,” Jorge says. “To meet other process, on the other hand, is based on the recognition that a children, to be able to play without fear, is invaluable, also for problem can only be solved in a sustainable way if different

actors engage, take their responsibility and decide to be part of Young people creating their own soccer field the solution. Cordaid encourages communities, governments, In October 2014, the construction of the park started with NGOs and companies to take on that role. That takes a change the rehabilitation of the soccer field. The work – digging, in attitude and most of all, it takes trust.” It also means cement-making, bricklaying and operating the machinery – is goodbye to quick results, Vargas admits, saying “We have to be partly done by young people from the community. “This gives more patient. Because all challenges are interconnected, social them the chance to improve and work on their own soccer field, change will only happen if it is targeted at all aspects of life. but it also helps to incorporate them into the labor market,” Change comes slowly.” But important steps have been taken as says Mauricio Escobar, Cordaid Urban Matters program the consortium has managed to involve and obtain funding manager in El Salvador. Gang members are not discriminated from local organizations and businesses. The local cement against in the hiring process: as long as they pull their weight factory Holcim, for example, will provide the heavy equipment and show responsibility they are welcome. In fact, several gang to level the terrain. “And the company has indicated a broader members have already expressed their interest in contributing interest in the project,” Vargas explains. “Holcim will provide to the realization of the park. expertise in construction and is dedicated to train local youth to become professional construction workers. We hope this After it is completed – in four years, according to current company will be involved for the long term.” International planning – the city park will provide a safe playground as well engagement has been secured too, for instance from the Dutch as an area for vocational training for 5,000 youngsters and a consulting company AT Osborne, which is providing a business recreational park for 172,000 people, and 3,000 families will plan for the maintenance of the park. enhance their food security through the urban agriculture project. The park project does not stand on its own: Cordaid and partner organizations are improving the prospects of young The multi-stakeholder process is people in Mejicanos in other ways too. Because the problem of based on the recognition that a urban violence is multi-faceted, an integrated approach that involves all relevant actors is vital. Local organization Servicio problem can only be solved in a Social Pasionista (SSPAS) offers vocational training to young sustainable way if different actors people in the Mejicanos slum who run the risk of being lured into gang life. A special team of street-corner workers, who engage, take their responsibility closely cooperate with community leaders, are present on a and decide to be part of the solution. daily basis to talk to people and identify adolescents at risk who are eligible for SSPAS programs. In centers in the Cordaid Photo

The construction of the soccer field is partly done by young people

hire anyone with such statements decorating their bodies. Wearing gang-related tattoos is also dangerous: there is not only the risk of being assaulted or even murdered by rival gangs, but former friends also pose a risk as, in gang-custo- mary law, desertion is an offence punishable by death. The SSPAS program Adios Tatuajes (Goodbye Tattoos) arranges the surgical removal of tattoos – a painful and slow process, but infinitely better than the drastic measures sometimes taken by former gang members who, for lack of better methods, damage their skin with battery acid or even irons. Another organization, affiliated with the city park consortium, working to change Cordaid life in Mejicanos is Homies Unidos, set up by former gang members to facilitate their peers’ re-entry into ‘normal’ Photo society. Homies Unidos offers young people with a violent past No employer will hire someone with a gang related tattoo training in self-esteem, leadership skills, goal-setting skills, and gang violence awareness. “Their engagement is important because Homies provides a way out for gang members, a bridge neighborhood, both boys and girls are given the opportunity to back to society,” says Rosa Vargas. learn a trade, for example, repairing computers, doing handicrafts, hairdressing, car mechanics, etc. Since 2011, several In neighborhood centers, both boys hundred young people have learned a trade through the programs. Because learning a trade without the possibility of and girls are given the opportunity finding work is frustrating, SSPAS has also set up a job media- to learn a trade, for example, tion service to help unemployed youth to get into contact with local businesses for job openings. The job mediation center has repairing computers, doing successfully helped hundreds of young people from poor handicrafts, hairdressing, families to get a job interview and nearly 400 of them have secured a regular job through SSPAS mediation. car mechanics. For others, SSPAS helps them start up micro-enterprises, Security is one of the ultimate goals of the city park project, but teaching them basic business administration skills and is also one of the main threats. “We know that if the gangs take providing them with seed capital. Jorge Isaac Olano is one of control of the park, all is lost,” says Jorge. “So far, fortunately, the young people who benefited from the project. “A friend of they have left the project in peace. This is also because the local mine got me into contact with SSPAS,” he explains. “I took a church is involved. The gangs have respect for the church, for course in car mechanics and after that SSPAS mediation helped religious organizations and for the local priest.” Cooperation me find a job.” Jorge delivers Chinese meals on a moped. “One with neighborhood leaders is also crucial as they are often day I hope to work as a mechanic,” he says, “but with this job respected by the gang leaders. “Take Don Victor, a worker who my future already looks so much brighter.” An estimated 90% of was elected to be a neighborhood leader,” adds Vargas. “Don the local youth are without a job, and Jorge therefore counts his Victor can encourage people to participate in discussions about blessings. the park and can also enter into discussions with the gang leaders. During every on-site meeting that we have about this Goodbye Tattoos project, gang members keep a sharp eye on us. But people like Former gang members with a wish to return to ‘normal’ life Don Victor can talk to them. Actually, it’s the gang leaders face a specific problem. Their bodies and faces are often themselves who sometimes admit to people like Don Victor disfigured by tattoos. Large tattoos of MS (Mara Salvatrucha) or how enthusiastic they are about this project. After all, many ‘18’ (Mara 18) on arms, shoulders or forehead indicate affiliation gang members were born and raised in the barrios and still feel with the two main rival gangs in Mejicanos. No employer will connected.”

CASE 3: THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC IMPROVING SERVICES AND ENGAGING YOUTH

INVESTING IN YOUTH IN THE CAR, CORDAID’S FOOTPRINT Sudan (Darfur)

Vakaga Chad

jobs

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jobs Building a business Healthcarejobs Building a business Education Building a business HealthcareEducation Haute-kotto

jobs Building a businessEducation Nana-Rule of Law jobs Ouham-pendeEducation Rule ofOuhamHealthcare Law Grebizi Haut-mbomou Healthcare BuildingHealthcare a business Bozoum Rule of Law Ouaka Vocational & Education jobs Kemo Rule of LawHealthcare professional training Vocational & EducationBuilding a business Education jobs Building a business professional training Healthcare Rule of LawVocational & professional training jobs Vocational Education& Nana-mambere Rule of Law BuildingMbomou a business Rule of Law professional training EducationHealthcare Healthcare Vocational & Ombella-mpokojobs jobs Rule ofprofessional Law training Basse-kotto BuildingBuildingVocational a business & Rule of LawEducation Healthcare Vocational & Education professional training Bangui professional training Mambere-kadei Vocational & Healthcare Education Rule of Law professional trainingHealthcareVocationalRule & of Law Lobaye professional training Education Rule of Law Vocational & Education Vocational & professionalSangha- training professional training mbaere Rule of Law Vocational & Rule of Law Dem. Rep. of the Congoprofessional training Cameroon Congo Vocational & Vocationalprofessional & training professional training

The Central African Republic (CAR) is blessed with an and economic ties severely disrupted. Coming of age in this abundance of natural resources, including minerals, water conflict-torn environment is difficult for young people. The reserves and forests. However, poverty in the country is crisis is estimated to have impacted the life of as many as 2.4 widespread and persistent. According to the World Bank, million young people under the age of 25.48 The majority are 62% of the population earn less than US$1.25per day.47 Over uprooted, out-of-school and jobless. Frederick Lamy, Cordaid the last decades, successive political and military crises Security and Justice Advisor in Bangui, points at the link have contributed to a situation of permanent insecurity and between alienated youth and their participation in armed the weakening of state institutions. As in many fragile violence. “Youth are both victims and actors in the conflict,” regions, control over mineral resources has partly fuelled he says. “Disenfranchised young men represent a pool of ready the conflict. recruits for militias. Young people can be easily manipulated to join extremist groups based on ethnic solidarity in a context The latest crisis started in December 2012, leading to the Séléka alliance of mostly Muslim rebels from the north of the country overthrowing the government in March 2013. In response to Aid orphan the violence by Séléka, Christian and animist militias known In spite of the persistent poverty, the CAR has never as anti-Balaka groups were formed. In the ensuing conflict, received much international aid. It is a typical aid orphan.55 mass civilian casualties and the destruction of many homes Because it is an extremely difficult place to work, most and public buildings occurred. In January 2014, former mayor donor organizations shy away from entering the country. of Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, was elected as interim Cordaid is one of the few international organizations in the president of the CAR. Parliamentary and presidential elections CAR to have continuously supported projects through its are planned for 2015 and are considered a crucial step in the local partners since the 1990s and to have also implemented country’s return to peace and development. Meanwhile, the activities directly since the opening of our country office in social fabric in the CAR has been significantly damaged. in Bangui in 2009. Since then sub-offices have been opened Communities are divided along political and religious fault in Bouar, Bangasso and Bossangoa. Of the approximately 78 lines. Deep-seated insecurity in the country, large-scale persons employed by Cordaid in CAR, only 5 are expatriates. atrocities and human rights abuses have traumatized a The dedication of local people has helped to keep the large part of the population. The authority of chiefdom and Cordaid country program operational. traditional support networks have been eroded, and trade

THE CAR’S POPULATION PYRAMID Young moto taxi drivers delivering food Male Central African Republic- 2014 Female According to the UNHCR, the latest crisis in the Central 100+ African Republic has caused nearly a million people to flee 95 - 99 90 - 94 their homes. Half of them have crossed into neighboring 85 - 89 countries. The UN humanitarian affairs agency OCHA 80 - 84 75 - 79 estimates that 2.5 million of the CAR’s 4.7 million inhabi- 70 - 74 56 65 - 69 tants need emergency aid. In July 2014, Cordaid distribu- 60 - 64 ted 1,000 tons of food and 200 tons of seeds in 146 villages 55 - 59 50 - 54 surrounding Bozoum, the severely hit capital of the 45 - 49 40 - 44 prefecture of Ouham-Pendé in the west of the CAR. Trucks, 35 - 39 heavily loaded with rice, peanuts, grain, lentils and oil, 30 - 34 25 - 29 rolled through the streets of the town. But the food and 20 - 24 seeds were not meant for Bozoum alone, needs were also 15 - 19 10 - 14 high in the surrounding rural areas. The trucks, however, 5 - 9 0 - 4 could not reach the isolated villages because the roads were in bad shape, or sometimes completely destroyed. This 405 324 243 162 81 0 0 81 162 243 324 405 problem was solved by using the local motorcycle taxi Population (in thousands) Age Group Population (in thousands) system. The young men driving these taxis managed to pile up to five 50-kilo bags with rice, lentils or grain onto their motorcycles for the long and arduous trip to the isolated polarized by conflict. Low education levels make adolescents communities. Involving the young people from the area in vulnerable to escalatory discourse, intolerance and religious distributing emergency aid strengthened their sense of sectarianism. Economic incentives also play an important role ownership and offered them some very welcome income.57 in young people joining armed groups as they seek to earn an income through theft and banditry. They lack positive role models. The predominance of armed groups in community life is leaving them with limited options for positive engagement and prevents them from developing feelings of belonging to a broader national society.”

The majority of the population of the CAR, around 61%, is under the age of 25, and 41% is younger than 15.49 Estimates from 2012 indicate that 65% of young people between 15 and 24 years old Cordaid cannot read or write (72% for boys, 59% for girls) and that only Photo 14% enroll in secondary education (18% of boys and 10% of girls).50 51 With many schools having closed their doors due to the Involving young people strengthens their sense of ownership violence, these numbers have probably gone down in the last two years. The current interim government, which is preparing for elections in 2015, has a Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and national spending on youth in general in the CAR, it is known Culture that is responsible for national youth policies. The that the government spent just over 12% of its budget on educati- National Youth Council, a platform of youth organizations,52 is on.53 This is comparable with expenditure on education in OECD charged with defending youth interests at national and interna- countries.54 On the 2013 Commonwealth Youth Development tional level. Although there is a lack of information on total Index, the CAR ranks 169 out of 170 countries.

YOUTH IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)

On the Human Highest teenage pregnancy On the Youth Development 61% population < 25 years. Development Index, the CAR rate in the world. Index, the CAR ranks 169 out ranks 185 out of 187. of 170 countries.

1 UNDP Human Development Index 2014 3 Commonwealth Youth Development Index 2 4 UNFPA 2014 UNESCO

1. Healthcare for youth RBF for Universal Health Care High teenage pregnancy rates are common for fragile and The CAR government’s healthcare budget is too low even to conflict areas. The teenage pregnancy rate for the Central meet people’s most basic health needs. Per capita health African Republic is the highest worldwide: 229 out of every expenditure was US$6 in 2010 – compared to an OECD average 1,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 years are or have been of nearly US$3,500.61 Outside the capital, sexual and reproduc- pregnant.58 Sexual violence and rape are widespread. Women tive healthcare (SRH) and ante- and postnatal care for women and girls, especially girls from ethnic minorities, run the risk are almost entirely lacking.62 In 2009, Cordaid implemented a of being molested or raped if they walk to the market or fetch pilot program to increase the supply of affordable good quality water on their own. “Girls from the Peul ethnic minority healthcare using results based financing (RBF) (for an explana- Muslim community in the refugee camps know that they tion of RBF, see the box on page 7).63 This was done first in should not wander off alone,” says Annie Lefèvre, country region 2 around Bouar (Nana Mambéré) and then the program manager based at Cordaid’s office in Bangui. In circumstances was extended to regions 1 (Ombella Mpoko and Lobaye) and 6 where sexual violence against women and girls is rife, HIV and (around Bangassou). Over 140 small clinics and 11 hospitals AIDS are serious threats. In the capital of Bangui, 7.8% of the participated in the program. The experiences with the RBF population aged between 15 and 49 is infected with HIV, system are positive. There have been notable improvements in compared to 4.6% in the country as a whole.59 This is the highest the quality and quantity of service. RBF clinics had a more rate in Francophone Africa. Women, especially girls, are more stable access to medicines and medical supplies. Attendance by than twice as vulnerable as men. A 2012 article in medical personnel also increased. The service improved the journal The Lancet called the HIV/Aids epidemic in the accordingly, leading to intensified use of the health facilities. CAR ‘out of control’.60 Since November 2013, Cordaid has been Between 2010 and 2013, the number of newborn babies vaccina- implementing a pilot RBF project in Bangui to improve the ted against polio and TB increased tenfold in RBF clinics and quality of treatment for people living with HIV and Aids and to the number of women giving birth under medical supervision reduce mother to child transmission. increased from 15% to 50%. In early 2013, 40% of the 1,2 million people living in the western and central regions had access to One of the problems is that local support systems have been basic healthcare. This number was up from 5% in 2010. shattered due to the violence. The community, or even the family, can no longer provide a safe haven for girls. But even when violence is not the main concern, Lefèvre says that there “ The certainty that some income was guaranteed if is a major problem in that adolescents generally have little knowledge about sexual and reproductive health. Social and the services remained operational was important cultural attitudes also play a part. A community health agent for the health workers. Some security of income in puts it plainly, saying “Adolescent girls avoid attending emergencies is vital, so health workers were highly reproductive health services because they are afraid of being accused of having an active sex life.” motivated to keep the hospital running.” Dr. Manzadou, Cordaid staff member, CAR

“ Low education levels play a major role. School The recent violence in the CAR heavily affected the already dropout rates are closely linked to teenage minimal health facilities throughout the country. In Bangassou, pregnancies, making it a vicious circle.” 30% of health facilities were partially or wholly destroyed, while in Bossangoa, it was as high as 40%. Interestingly, an evaluation Annie Lefèvre, Cordaid Country Manager, CAR in May 2014 indicated that the RBF system kept health facilities participating in the program running during the 2013/2014 crisis.64 The main hospital in Bouar, for example, shut its doors only for a few days when the fighting was most intense. After that, services resumed. Other health facilities, not operating under RBF, closed their doors for much longer. An operational hospital, he emphasizes, in turn enhances local security. Also there is less likelihood of looting in a hospital that is functioning than when the premises are abandoned.

2. Education Public education in the CAR is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14 years. In reality, however, for many children attending school remains a distant dream. Sometimes there is no school within walking distance, going to school is too dangerous, or the teachers are absent because their salaries

Cordaid have not been paid. Many children simply cannot attend school because they must work to contribute to the family livelihood. Photo “Sometimes parents feel discouraged to send their children to The teenage pregnancy rate in the CAR is the highest in the world school,” a teacher from the CAR explains. “They feel that their

Good primary education will promote respect and self-esteem

investments in their children’s education are wasted as a RBF in education school or college certificate by no means guarantees that they After the positive experiences with results based financing in will find a job.” Three in every ten primary school aged children the healthcare sector, Cordaid decided to introduce RBF in do not go to school. Children who do are confronted with a lack education. The entire education ‘chain’ is involved in the of classrooms, books and other educational materials, and program: from the minister herself to her staff at the ministry, qualified teachers. As a result, only two thirds of CAR youth from the regional education councils to individual schools. (15-24 years old) is literate. “And yet, we see such motivation In the RBF methodology, schools are requested to define their with our students,” the teacher continues. “They aspire to own education goals. Funding is linked to agreed targets: there become teachers, doctors and nurses and to serve their country is a basic subsidy to get started, while additional bonuses are so that there will be no more war.” linked to performance. The school management can choose what they spend their budget on: for example, extra teachers, The recent violence did not help the situation. “The violence more school materials or the maintenance of buildings. pushed the country’s formal education system deeper into This encourages a more entrepreneurial attitude among the crisis,” says Annie Lefèvre. A teacher from one of the local school management. schools adds “Some schools were temporarily transformed into a military camp and schoolyards were turned into cemeteries. Benches and tables were used as firewood for cooking. This “ Schools and communities are at the heart caused a great deal of psychological trauma among the of the new approach. The impact of the RBF students. The destruction of archives, textbooks and other documents also destroyed the school’s image as a place of system on the 141 schools that participate learning. This is sadly ironic, as the rebels who destroyed these in the program is considerable: they change schools one day in the past themselves dreamed of accessing their way of thinking. Instead of only focusing education – a dream that wasn’t fulfilled due to the extreme poverty of their families.” In response to the violence, 65% of all on complying with instructions from the rated schools were closed in February 2014. When the violence ministry, they learn to make their own subsided most opened their doors again. In August 2014, decisions based on local circumstances Cordaid provided transport back home for 1,500 teachers who had fled their homes. Eighteen large open trucks crossed the and needs.” country, dropping off teachers in their villages. They resumed Paul Vermeulen, education expert teaching, but the full rehabilitation of the educational sector will be a slow process.

Indicators for RBF education Schools under RBF contract commit to performance on agreed indicators that are relevant to the local contexts. The generic indicator categories are: 1. Access and retention 2. School management 3. Supervision 4. Materials and infrastructure 5. Teacher team performance 6. Quality of program 7, Community-school relationships Cordaid 8. School as a learning organization Photo

Practical skills are important to change the culture of violence Primary education should be more funding. Cordaid provided building materials, and offered a than just teaching children to read, bonus if the school included the community in the construc write and calculate. It is also about tion activities. The result was that construction was done much faster – and cost much less. Engaging parents and the commu- creating responsible citizens. nity is important in the RBF concept: ideally schools act as a “The educational system in the CAR is traditionally a top-down social hub within the community, with education being a structure,” says Vermeulen. “The ministry has the role of trigger for community development. “A good example of this controller and service provider and schools basically follow was that schools played an important part in organizing the instructions. In an RBF setting the roles change: the ministry WFP food distribution in 2013 and 2014,” says Vermeulen. becomes a regulator. It sets the boundaries but steps away “On a more structural level, we encourage schools to have from interfering in the day-to-day business of the schools.” gardens to support the rehabilitation of local food production.” To prepare ministry staff for this new role, an ‘e-course’ was prepared. Thirty civil servants, including the Minister of Promoting tolerance Education, were trained on the technicalities and consequen- Besides formal primary and secondary education, vocational ces of RBF. They discussed indicators to verify progress, how to training is important in countries like the CAR. The Cordaid negotiate with schools, and what role education should play in team in Bangui is currently looking for solid plans, partners the development of the country. The notion has taken hold that and donors to develop projects on vocational training. Annie primary education should be more than just teaching children Lefèvre stresses that there is great need for practical training to read, write and calculate. It is also about creating responsi- of young people in the CAR, saying “The large majority of ble citizens. “Good primary education will promote respect and adolescents in this country are left with little hope for the self-esteem,” says Vermeulen. “It encourages a critical attitude, future. If these young people find no way to build a life of their teaching children to work together and to help one another.” own, or employment to provide for their future families, the Schools that include joint assignments in the curriculum, cycle of violence and insecurity will not be broken.” Teaching thereby encouraging cooperation between students, will adolescents practical as well as entrepreneurial skills can be an receive performance bonuses. important instrument to curtail the culture of violence that has kept the CAR in its grip for so long. These skills include The new financing system was also used in the reconstruction social and communication skills as well as conflict resolution. of school buildings after the coup d’état of March 2013. A school “Peace begins in the mind,” says one of the teachers, “In our north of the capital of Bangui, for example, decided to rebuild school we teach children values such as tolerance and reconci- the vandalized classrooms without waiting for government liation. We believe that children can set an example and encourage their parents and families to embrace these same values.” Teaching adolescents practical as well as entrepreneurial skills can be an important instrument to curtail the culture of violence that has kept the CAR in its grip for so long.

Cordaid These skills include social and

Photo communication skills as well as conflict resolution. Cordaid brought teachers back to their schools after the violence subsided

3. Engaging youth in security and justice Healing trauma In the fall of 2014, together with local partners, Cordaid started The Social Cohesion and Reconciliation program includes the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation program, which activities that are specifically aimed at supporting psycho responds to the urgent needs of rebuilding trust in interperso- social rehabilitation for people who have been traumatized by nal relationships both within and between communities. the violence. Some activities focus on the individual, while Frederick Lamy, Security and Justice Advisor in Bangui, others encourage community-wide responsibility to deal with stresses that “community-based peacebuilding remains a top people’s trauma and loss. ‘Listening centers’ are established priority to prevent further violence in the CAR.” Interventions where individuals can speak freely about their experiences. at grassroots level are most appropriate given the fragile “The first step in healing is being able to tell your story in a safe political transition and the fact that the formal justice system environment,” says Lamy. Forum theatre, also known as the in the country is not functioning. The program focuses on ‘theatre of the oppressed’, is used as a community-based psychosocial rehabilitation, peace advocacy, and interreligious approach to engage young people in critical self-reflection. dialogue. Implementation started in January 2015 in four The method gives participants the opportunity to re-enact locations: Bangui, Bozoum, Bossangoa and Kaga Bandoro. stressful situations and identify and talk about shared experiences. One young participant from Bangui said “If we want to bring peace to the country, we must not only achieve disarma- “ Young people need to be convinced that violence is ment through giving up our guns, but we must disarm the hearts of many people seeking revenge.” This theatre method, no solution, they have to understand that people which has a proven track record in post-conflict contexts, are different, and that tolerance and respect are including Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, is being piloted in critical to a peaceful society.” the CAR for the first time.

Frederick Lamy, Cordaid Security & Justice Advisor, CAR Peace advocacy and dialogue In 2015, Cordaid also started a campaign to promote grassroots peace advocacy in the four program locations. Different Young people are a main target group of all activities: youth channels and media are used to reach out to local communi- members of faith-based associations (both Christian and ties, including non-violence posters, focus group discussions Muslim), human rights activists, students and ex-militia and radio messages. In the CAR, and especially outside the members. Youth-based organizations are also involved in main city and towns, radio is a very effective method of mass designing the program. A teacher from the CAR explains why communication. Local partners are engaged in the project and this message is not always easily received, saying “Many young help to make sure that the campaign is relevant to the complex people witnessed their relatives being murdered and their conflict dynamics in the country. The ultimate aim is to villages looted. They joined the fighting out of feelings of empower youth groups to not just be recipients of the cam- hatred and revenge.” To promote peaceful coexistence in this paign, but to become actors of peace sensitization. To achieve sensitive context, the Cordaid program takes a two-step this, radio animation and journalism training courses for approach: it starts by building cohesion within community young people are being organized. groups, organizing collective sports and psychosocial activities to relieve emotional stress and increase contacts and trust. In close partnership with the youth-based Centre Catholique In the second phase, it focuses on responsible participation in Universitaire (CCU) and Jeunesse Islamique Centrafricaine community life, active rapprochement and dialogue between (JICA), Cordaid’s program also involves building the capacity groups. for interreligious dialogue among local organizations. This activity is in line with the work of the interreligious platform at national level65. Cordaid is strongly rooted in the Catholic network in the CAR. The program actively reaches out to the Muslim minority in the country and promotes advocacy for equality. As a young Muslim from Kaga Bandoro said, “The road to reconciliation and justice in our country starts with equality. We want to be regarded equal members of Central African society together with our Christian neighbors.”

CASE 4: THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: YOUNG LEADERSHIP IN FRAGILE CONTEXTS TA) F Shady Alassar (C Photo

Youth leaders from the MENA region share their experiences at a conference in Gaza

Young people in conflict areas have an important role to play who are active in the field of human rights, environmental in contributing to peace and positive social change. In 2013, issues, and minority and women rights. After their successful together with the Human Security Collective (HSC) and uprising against Gaddafi in 2011, the world had high hopes for Women Peacemakers Program (WPP), two foundations with the Libyan people and young Libyans, many of them students, head offices in The Hague, Cordaid started the Women and set out to build a new, just society. “Young people should be Youth against Violence program.66 The aim is to strengthen acknowledged as valuable allies to tackle security issues,” the impact young leaders can have on non-violent conflict said Marouane Bakit during a UN conference in June 2014. resolution in their communities in the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) region. “ It is a missed opportunity to perceive youth The program invests in 75 young community leaders, young women and men between the ages of 18 and 30. It teaches them only as victims and beneficiaries. Young people new skills to develop and implement alternative approaches to can be innovative and responsible. They can be improve daily safety within their communities by tackling agents of change.” issues such as domestic violence, drug abuse and early marriages. The young leaders from different communities come Rewa Barghouty, Palestinian Centre for Peace and Democracy together to compare notes and participate in workshops on non-violent conflict resolution. Exchange at regional level and lobby and advocacy at international level are part of the The young leaders in his organization sought and established program. connections with likeminded civil society organizations in Libya. They benefited from the youth leadership program, One of the Libyan peacemakers is the young student Marouane which taught them methods to develop common ground Bakit. His organization, Society Hope Makers for Human Rights among different stakeholders, improve leadership skills and (SHM), consists of young male and female community leaders engage with key (international) players on security issues.

Unfortunately, peace in Libya nowadays seems further away even abused, especially if they do not dress in a way conservative than ever, with rivalling factions violently contesting each men find appropriate. other’s legal control over the country. Many of the young people I cannot walk in a place like Hebron wearing a skirt; I would involved in the program had to flee their country. Marouane certainly be harassed.” One of the reasons why violence against Bakit is still involved in the program, but when the situation women is so persistent in Palestine is the culture of shame and becomes particularly tense in Libya, he sometimes has to take honor. “Families are afraid for their reputation. Girls are taught to temporary refuge in neighboring Morocco. keep their mouths shut if they are molested by men.”

The Women and Youth against Violence program covers Sharing experiences with other youth leaders is very impor- the MENA region, with special attention to the Occupied tant, says Barghouty. “This program has opened our windows,” Palestinian Territories, “because this is where Cordaid has a she says. She adds that one of the biggest challenges is to particularly strong local network”, says Sabina Atzei, Women’s develop methodologies that can help bring about a cultural Leadership program coordinator at Cordaid. Rewa Barghouty is shift in her community, saying “The program has provided us one of the young people from the Palestinian West Bank who with several important skills to work on awareness raising, participates in the program. Barghouty, who is 24 years old and including using social media.” The key to change, Barghouty describes herself as an activist, works with the Palestinian Centre realizes, is engaging the entire community. Involving religious for Peace and Democracy (PCPD) on issues concerning democracy, leaders and like-minded groups – and also not shying away peace and independence. She explains her own engagement, from a confrontation with those who resist change. “People are saying “It’s not just a job to me; it’s my contribution to building often inclined to say ‘we won’t engage with adversaries, it’s a my community. I feel privileged to get the chance to be part of waste of time’,” Sabina Atzei adds. “The message we try to give making a positive change in my community.” Violence against to young people is seek and continue the dialogue, also with young women is one of the topics that Barghouty feels passionate groups and individuals who do not agree, because change that about. “Young women on the streets in Palestine are often is supported by everyone has the best chance to last.” molested by men,” she says. “They are stalked, insulted, and

NOTES

1 United Nations (2014) The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, 16 AfDB, OECD, UNDP and UNECA (2012) African Economic Outlook 2012. Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet. Synthesis Report of the Accessible at http://www.youtheconomicopportunities.org/sites/default/files/ Secretary-General On the Post-2015 Agenda. New York, December 2014. uploads/resource/African%20Economic%20Outlook%202012.pdf; D. Filmer and Accessible at: http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/reports/SG_Synthesis_ L. Fox (2014) (see note 15); International Labour Organization (2013) Report_Road_to_Dignity_by_2030.pdf Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013. A Generation at Risk. Accessible at: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/-dcomm/documents/ 2 World Bank (2011) World Development Report 2011. Conflict, Security and publication/wcms_212423.pdf; UNDP (2014) (see note 11). Development. Washington. Accessible at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ INTWDRS/Resources/WDR2011_Full_Text.pdf 17 other authoritative institutions including the World Bank, the OECD and the European Commission similarly stress the significance of inclusive growth, 3 Cordaid (2013) Focus on Fragility. Position paper, The Hague, November 2013. including in fragile contexts, by promoting entrepreneurship and private sector Accessible at: https://www.cordaid.org/media/publications/FocusonFragility_ development in order to combat poverty and fragility. Also see Cordaid new_1.pdf (September 2014) Entrepreneurs, Fostering Economic Opportunities in Fragile Contexts, accessible at https://www.cordaid.org/en/publications/entrepreneurs/ 4 Frequently used definitions of fragility include the OECD’s definition: “A fragile region or state has weak capacity to carry out basic governance functions, and 18 world Bank (2012) World Development Report 2013: Jobs. Washington DC: lacks the ability to develop mutually constructive relations with society. Fragile World Bank, p. 196. Accessible at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ states are also more vulnerable to internal or external shocks such as economic EXTNWDR2013/Resources/8258024-1320950747192/ crises or natural disasters. More resilient states exhibit the capacity and 8260293-1322665883147/WDR_2013_Report.pdf legitimacy of governing a population and its territory. They can manage and adapt to changing social needs and expectations, shifts in elite and other 19 A report by International Alert on youth employment programming in Sierra political agreements, and growing institutional complexity. Fragility and Leone and Liberia argues this quite strongly. ‘’Policy-makers’ tendency to draw resilience should be seen as shifting points along a spectrum.” OECD (2012) a direct link between unemployment and instability obscures the important Fragile States 2013: Resource Flows and Trends in a Shifting World. transmission mechanisms that connect labour market experiences to chosen patterns of political engagement. Without engaging with how unemployment 5 Secretary General’s Report to the General Assembly, A/36/215, 1981. is linked to violence, there is a risk of depicting all of the unemployed as a potential threat.” Sara Batmanlich and Luisa Enria (2014) Real Jobs in Fragile 6 UNDP (2014) Human Development Report 2014. Sustaining Human Progress: Contexts: Reframing Youth Employment Programming in Liberia and Sierra Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience. p. 61. Accessible at: Leone. International Alert, p. 10. Accessible at: http://www.international-alert. http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr14-report-en-1.pdf org/sites/default/files/Institutions_WestAfricaYouthEmployment_EN_2014.pdf

7 Lyndsay McLean Hilker and Erika Fraser (2009) Youth Exclusion, Violence, 20 UNDP (2014) (see note 11). Conflict and Fragile States. Report for DFID’s Equity and Rights Team, London: Social Development Direct. Accessible at: http://www.gsdrc.org/docs/open/ 21 UNOY (2014) Agreed Language on Youth, Peace and Security: A Report by the CON66.pdf United Nations Network of Young Peacebuilders, p. 2.

8 Andrew Wilson and Michi Ebata (eds)(2005) Youth and Violent Conflict: 22 United Nations (2014) The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Society and Development in Crisis. A Strategic Review with a Special Focus on Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet. Synthesis Report of the West Africa. New York: Bureau for Crisis Prevention, UNDP. Accessible at: Secretary-General On the Post-2015 Agenda. New York, December 2014. http://www.unicefinemergencies.com/downloads/eresource/docs/Adolescents/ Accessible at: http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/reports/SG_Synthesis_ Youth%20and%20Violent%20Conflict%20UNDP-BCPR_160.pdf Report_Road_to_Dignity_by_2030.pdf

9 UNFPA (2014) The Power of 1.8 Billion: Adolescents, Youth and the 23 The positive role of youth as leaders for peace is emphasized in several reports. Transformation of the Future. State of World Population 2014. Accessible at: See for example UNDP (2014) (see note 11). http://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/EN-SWOP14-Report_FINAL- web.pdf 24 UNDP (2014) UNDP Youth Strategy 2014-2017; Empowered Youth, Sustainable Future. Accessible at: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/ 10 AfDB, OECD, UNDP, and UNECA (2012) African Economic Outlook 2012: Democratic%20Governance/Youth/UNDP_Youth-Strategy-2014-17_Web.pdf Promoting Youth Employment. Paris and Tunis. Accessible at: http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/fileadmin/uploads/PAGES-%20 25 UNFPA (2014) (see note 9, pp. 2-3). Pocket%20Edition%20AEO2012-EN.pdf 26 Agriculture occupies more than 70% of the labor force in low-income countries 11 UNDP (2014) Youth Strategy 2014-2017. Empowered Youth, Sustainable Future. in Africa. See Filmer & Fox (2014) (see note 15). New York. Accessible at: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/ Democratic%20Governance/Youth/UNDP_Youth-Strategy-2014-17_Web.pdf 27 Cordaid (2014) Investing in Fragile Contexts: Maximizing Sustainable Social Impact. The Hague, September 2014. Accessible at: https://www.cordaid.org/ 12 e.g. UNFPA (2014) (see note 9, p. 3); UNDP (2013) Human Development Report. media/medialibrary/2014/09/Cordaid-9165-09-4_pager_BU_Investments-DEF- The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World. Accessible at LR.PDF http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/reports/14/hdr2013_en_complete.pdf ; John Page (2012) Youth, Jobs, and Structural Change: Confronting Africa’s 28 UNDP (2014) (see note 6). ‘’Employment Problem’’. Working Paper Series no. 155, African Development Bank, Tunis, Tunisia. Accessible at: http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/ 29 0-14= 45.7%, 15-24=19.3%. Source: CIA (2014) The World Factbook, Burundi. Documents/Publications/Working%20Papers%20Series%20155%20-%20 Accessible at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ Youth%20Jobs%20and%20Structural%20Change.pdf geos/by.html

13 Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and 30 http://www.youthdevelopmentindex.org/views/index.php#OVER Armed Conflict in collaboration with UNICEF (2009) Machel Study 10 year Strategic Review: Children and Conflict in a Changing World. pp. 18-21. 31 http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/burundi/ Accessible at: http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Machel_Study_10_Year_ The policy describes youth as between 15 and 26 years old. Strategic_Review_EN_030909.pdf 32 Accurate figures about youth unemployment are extremely difficult to obtain. 14 UNFPA (2014) (see note 9, p. 88); Office of the Special Representative of Not only is there no recent census available, but the issue of formal the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict with UNICEF (2009) unemployment cannot be understood without considering the problem of (see note 13). underemployment. Many young people may be working to provide for themselves, but their work in the informal sector often has very little economic 15 Although the current generation of Africans entering the labor force is the best gain and only serves to ensure their day-to-day survival. Therefore, statistics educated ever, their prospects for employment differ very little from those of such as those published at http://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Burundi/ their parents. See also UNFPA (2014) (see note 9); and D. Filmer and L. Fox Youth_unemployment/, quoting that 12.9% of youth in the age group of 15-24 is (2014) Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa Development Series. unemployed in 2012, do not reflect the real magnitude of the problem. Washington, D.C: World Bank. Accessible at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/ external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/04/04/000442464_20140 404115619/Rendered/PDF/840830v20REVIS0ll0Report0ER0English.pdf

33 Swiss TPH (2014) Baseline Survey Report: Evaluation of the Next Generation 52 See https://www.facebook.com/pages/CNJ-Centrafrique/130746536951054 Programme. Community-based and health facility surveys. BURUNDI Country Report, pp.12 (publication in progress). 53 http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/central-african-republic/

34 Swiss TPH (2014) (see note 33, p. 11). 54 Index Mundi, Public Spending on Education, total (% of government expenditure) CAR and OECD members. Accessible at: http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/ 35 Swiss TPH (2014) (see note 33, p. 30). indicators/SE.XPD.TOTL.GB.ZS/compare?country=cf#country=cf:oe

36 Swiss TPH (2014) (see note 33, p. 7). 55 Robert Utz (2010) Will Countries with Insufficient Aid Please Stand Up? CFP Working Paper Series No. 7. Accessible at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ 37 Namely Bururi, Cankuzo, Karusi, Makamba, Rutana, and Ruyigi. The population is CFPEXT/Resources/CFP_Working_Paper_07.pdf 2,812,267. The population aged 10 to 24 years is 937,912 (33%). 56 UNICEF (2015) (see note 48). 38 The SHR Next Generation Program is being carried out in Burundi, Rwanda and in South-Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The consortium 57 Cordaid (2014, October 17) Food Distribution in the CAR: 10 minutes of implementing the program consists of Cordaid (lead agency), Swiss Tropical and inspiration. (video file) Accessible at: http://www.youtube.com/ Public Health Institute (STPH), i+solutions, Health Development Performance watch?v=J22hsZzox0o (HDP) Rwanda as consortium members, and Healthy Entrepreneurs (HE) as sub-contracted agency. 58 UNFPA (2014) (see note 9).

39 Swiss TPH (2014) (see note 33, p. 44). 59 AVERT, (web-based source) Africa HIV and AIDS Statistics 2011. Accessible at: http://www.avert.org/africa-hiv-aids-statistics.htm 40 The Net Enrolment Rate is the ratio of the number of children of official primary school age who are enrolled in primary education to the total population of 60 Laurent Belec and Francois-Xavier Mbopi–Keou (2012, December 8) HIV children of official primary school age. Source:Service de planification et des Epidemic out of control in Central African Republic, The Lancet. Accessible at: statistiques, Ministère de l’Enseignement de Base et secondaire, de l’Enseignement http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140- des Métiers, de la Formation Professionnelle et de l’Alphabétisation, Burundi. 6736%2812%2962156-4/fulltext

41 Bureau de la Planification et des Statistiques, Novembee 2014, Situation du 61 dramatic slowdown in growth of US health expenditure over last decade closes secteur. Evolution des indicateurs, Burundi. gap between USA and other high-spending countries (2014, June 30) The Lancet. Accessible at: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/tl-tld062714.php 42 Source: UNESCO 62 Giving birth is extremely dangerous in the CAR: for every 100,000 births, 880 43 The provinces of Burundi are subdivided into 117 communes. The communes are women die (Sub-Saharan average is 510) and out of every 100,000 live births further subdivided into collines (hills). 1,000 infants do not reach the age of 5. Source: World Health Organization (2014) Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2013. Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, 44 See https://www.cordaid.org/en/projects/respect-education/108480/ UNFPA, The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division. Accessible and https://www.cordaid.org/en/projects/expansion-respect-education- at: http://data.unicef.org/corecode/uploads/document6/uploaded_pdfs/ in-mindanao/111066/ corecode/MMR2013_117.pdf

45 This project is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is being 63 The introduction of the RBF system was made possible by EU funding. implemented in cooperation with the International Co-operation Agency of the The restoration of health facilities after the crisis will also be funded by the EU. Association of the Netherlands Municipalities (VNG International) and the Centre The European Union multi-donor fund for the Central African Republic, the for International Legal Cooperation (CILC). Bêkou Trust Fund, has awarded Cordaid funding totaling more than 3.5 million euros. The Bêkou Trust Fund is meant to bridge the gap between emergency aid 46 See http://www.parje.org and https://www.facebook.com/Parje1.1 and structural development assistance.

47 world Bank (web-based source) Poverty headcount ratio at national 64 Cordaid, Sinahealth (2014) Évaluation du Financement basé sur la Performance poverty lines, CAR 2008. Accessible at: http://data.worldbank.org/country/ (FBP) dans la Préfecture de Nana Mambéré pendant la crise humanitaire central-african-republic 2013–2014. Accessible at: https://www.cordaid.org/en/publications/ pbf-nana-mambere 48 UNICEF (2015) Central African Republic Humanitarian Situation Report, December 2014. Accessible at: http://www.unicef.org/appeals/files/UNICEF_ 65 The interreligious platform brings together three religious leaders, Archevêque CAR_SitRep_Dec_2014.pdf Nzapalainga (Catholic), Révérend Guérékoyamé (Protestant), Imam Kobine (Muslim), representatives of the main faiths in CAR. It was set up in 2012 at the 49 CIA (2014) The World Factbook, CAR. Accessible at: start of the crisis in the CAR, at the own initiative of these leaders and received https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html international praise for its peacebuilding role throughout the crisis. The platform speaks on behalf of civil society and is no co-opted by the government in any 50 UNESCO Institute for Statistics (web-based source) Total Secondary Net way. Cordaid S&J will link-up its grassroots peacebuilding initiatives with the Enrolment Rate Central African Republic. peace vision and advocacy of the platform. Accessible at: http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=UNESCO&f=series%3ANER_23 66 This three year project (2013 to 2016) is funded by the Dutch government, as 51 It is important to note that these percentages are estimations and that accurate part of the ‘National Action Plan 1325’. 1325 is the number of the UN Security figures about youth development in the CAR are extremely difficult to obtain. Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security, adopted in 2000.

about cordaid more information contact

Cordaid is the Catholic Piet Vroeg Peter van Poortvliet P.O. Box 16440 Organisation for Relief and Director Child & Education Director Entrepreneurship 2500 BK The Hague Development Aid, with its [email protected] peter.van.poortvliet@ headquarters in the Hague cordaid.nl Lutherse Burgwal 10 and country offices in 11 Remco van der Veen 2512 CB The Hague countries. It has been Director Healthcare René Queffelec The Netherlands fighting poverty and exclusi- [email protected] Cordaid Country Director on in the world’s most fragile Burundi +31(0)70-31 36 300 societies and conflict-stric- Hetty Burgman [email protected] [email protected] ken area’s for a century. It Director Security & Justice www.cordaid.org delivers innovative solutions [email protected] Annie Lefèvre to complex problems by Cordaid Country Director emphasizing sustainability Wieger Apperloo CAR and performance in projects Director Urban Matters [email protected] that tackle security and [email protected] justice, health and economic opportunity. Cordaid is deeply Akinyi Walender rooted in Dutch society Director Women’s Leadership with more than 300,000 [email protected] private donors. Cordaid is a founding member of Caritas Internationalis and CIDSE.