Background
A decade of violence by Boko Haram, Al Shabab, and other extremist groups have triggered a humanitarian crisis in the least developed parts of the African countries like Lake Chad Basin, displacing more than 2.5 million people, hindering economic activities, and restricting access to basic services. To bring stability to the region, there has been a significant support to humanitarian and development actors in recent years, as well as to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Between 2014 and 2017, international partners have invested over EUR 700 million. Despite these interventions, and even in secured areas, progress is still scarce; the lack of coordination of stabilization activities leads to gaps between political intentions and realities on the ground, on which accurate information is lacking. The role of young people is key to stabilization, as recognized by the UNSCR 2250 which calls for the effective participation of young people in peacebuilding efforts in fragile areas. The role of youth is further highlighted in the Stabilization Strategy adopted by Member States of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in August 2018 and endorsed by the African Union Peace & Security Council in December 2018. The Stabilization Strategy offers a renewed impetus for a "new way of working" focusing on bridging the gap between political will, financing and reality of progress on the ground.
Our objectives on Peace & Security:
To strengthen stabilization efforts in the violence hotspots through (a). enhanced coordination and accountability (enabling the mapping of key basic services and causal factors for peace) and (b). stronger involvement of local youth as monitors.
An objective, simplified overview of all efforts unfolding on the ground through the mapping of stabilization activities in the conflict affected regions.
The capacity and role of local youth is strengthened through their involvement in the mapping and monitoring processes.
Data analysis, transparency, positive digital media use, inter-faith and inter-generational dialogues, accountability and integrity are strengthened.
Improved coordination between stakeholders leading to better-targeted resource allocation.
Our activities and aspirations on Peace & Security
In specific strategic locations of affected regions, identify key focus sectors (e.g. education, health, local governance, youth employment, countering violent extremism, prioritized in the The Youth Café Stabilization Strategy) on which a mapping and youth monitoring approach will be piloted;
Developing, maintaining and updating a user-friendly map-based platform, to map the stabilization of infrastructures in the target locations and sectors. This should build on existing data collection and analysis tools if available;
Designing a local monitoring method which ensures local buy-in, notably through the involvement of youth;
Selecting, training and supporting local youth to collect data, using locally adapted digital tools and compensating their services;
Disseminating information locally and internationally on the platform and the "new way of working";
Coordinating closely with key institutions (notably AU, UN and other partners), local stakeholders, relevant key public actors and international organizations, to encourage their use of the data and tools, and for scale-up and sustainability.