Avenir Brillant: Free and informed migration in Mali

Partner

Plan International Italia (Coordinator), ActionAid Senegal, Bureau National Catholique de l’Enfance – BNCE Mali , Cooperativa Sociale QUID, EnGreen Srl, Environnement et Développement du Mali - Enda Mali, Plan International Mali

Donor

Italian Ministry of the Interior, Waldensian Church’s 8×1000

Stakeholders

Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry for Energy and Water, Ministry for the Advancement of Women, Children and Families, Ministry of Malians Abroad and of African Integration, Ministry for Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction

Objective of the project

We want to promote free migration decisions decreasing migratory pressure on communities in the Kayes and Bamako areas.

Abstract of the project

The project aims to promote free and informed migratory choices in the regions of origin and transit in Mali and decrease migratory pressure on communities in the Kayes and Bamako regions, through (1) the creation of employment and training opportunities for Malian youth in the sectors of agro-ecology, handicrafts, fashion and renewable energy, and (2) the development of protection mechanisms in reception centres for adolescents and minors in a vulnerable condition.

Context analysis

In 2012, a coup d’état marked Mali’s most recent history, with harsh consequences that still weigh on the country today. The event resulted in 90% of public services being suspended, and this vacuum, coupled with the severe instability caused by the conflict between the government and armed groups operating mainly in the north of the country, triggered large internal and external mobility flows, resulting in at least 480,000 internally displaced persons and refugees (IOM). In addition, continuing climate shocks lead to food insecurity and chronic malnutrition that are responsible for one third of child deaths. Women, children and the elderly in rural areas, due to their marginalised status, are doubly affected by instability and violence, and particularly vulnerable to extreme poverty.

Kaye, Mali

The project is implemented in the Regions of Kayes and Bamako (Mali).

Implementation Period

01/11/2020 - 30/04/2023

Beneficiaries

Direct

850 young people, including at least 350 girls, take part in vocational training courses and receive accompaniment to the world of work
102 unaccompanied minors included in an integrated care path in reception centres in Kayes and Bamako
40 staff members of public protection services benefit from ad hoc training to improve their capacities and strengthen service delivery
2 members of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings involved in exchange visits to CEDAO countries to improve the protection response for separated and unaccompanied minors
130 people trained to carry out advocacy work on trafficking risks and migrants’ rights
3,140 people raised awareness about the risks of trafficking and migrants’ rights
250,000 people reached through messages broadcast in 3 languages on 6 local radio stations and social media of project partners

Indirect

Local communities in the areas of Kayes and Bamako

Project Strategy

Activities

Component I:

Analysis of the local market and reasons for migration, with a focus on young people
Vocational training on agro-ecology, horticulture, fashion and handicrafts, renewable energy and basic electricity concepts, and financial literacy; provision of both starter kits and transfer of start-up funds; support and monitoring of young people and linkage with the private sector for access to employment
Creation of links with the Italian private sector through the specialised training on entrepreneurship of 20 young people selected from the fashion and handicraft training and provision of an internship in Verona for two of them
Creation of a database accessible via mobile phone in remote areas to promote the exchange between training and the labour market to be managed by the Ministry of Employment.
Provision of psychological counselling for at least 400 vulnerable young people taking part in training activities

Component II:

Capacity building of public child protection staff
Enhancement of the integrated care approach of 2 child protection centres on migration routes, through: provision of materials, furniture and equipment; holistic care of at least 102 vulnerable children/adolescents; referral to specialised services for cases needing medical, legal or psychological support; support for family return/reintegration and choice of vocational training in line with one’s life project
Regular quality monitoring of child protection case management
Exchange visits with regional staff from 2 CEDAO countries to share good practices and reflections on migration management, trafficking and smuggling

Component III:

Community awareness-raising campaigns including 3 debates on migration and 20 Community General Assemblies with the active participation of return migrants and local authorities to share community response plans to the challenges posed by the migration/development nexus adn the production of a play and a short documentary with the direct testimonies of return migrants and youth.
Training of 40 journalists on migration risks to produce messages on migration and broadcast them on 6 local radio stations and social networks
Advocacy activities on migration through the training of 130 people based on the issues identified in the debates and assemblies

Outputs

Multiple vocational training programs implemented
1 database created
2 child protection centres supported
Community awareness raising activities implemented
Media communication activities implemented

Outcomes

Creation of employment and self-employment opportunities for 850 young people from rural, urban (and peri-urban) communities
Improved access to and quality of protection services for vulnerable minors, especially unaccompanied minors
Increased knowledge of the reality of migration for members of target communities and 250,000 media users

Links

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