Regional project: Children and young people as peacemakers

Project title: Children and young people as peacemakers - transfer of proven approaches for peaceful intercultural coexistence in the north of Benin, Cameroon and Togo

Project areas: 2 large municipalities each in the north of Cameroon, Benin and Togo

Duration: 1^st Oct. 2022 – 31^st Dec. 2024

Local project partners: ALDEPA Cameroon, CIPCRE-Benin, CREUSET-Togo

The countries of the Sahel, in particular the project countries Cameroon, Benin and Togo, have repeatedly experienced socio-political tensions in recent years that threaten the stability of these countries. Conflicts over reforms, religion, governance and the decentralisation of power are the main triggers for violent clashes. This state of affairs feeds radicalism and violent extremism, which is already manifesting itself in terrorist attacks in some regions and endangers children and young people in various ways.

Based on the experiences of the partner ALDEPA, which has already received several (international) awards for this, the three project partners train children and youth groups as peace actors. They learn how to engage in non-violence, intercultural understanding and peaceful coexistence in their communities, schools and neighborhoods.

The aim of this regional project is to exchange and transfer proven approaches from the three partner organizations so that they can later be expanded in the countries of Benin, Cameroon and Togo.

Overall objective: Children and young people in Cameroon, Benin and Togo grow up in a peaceful intercultural society which they can actively shape and in which their children's rights are respected.

Project objective: In 2 large communities each in Cameroon, Benin and Togo, young girls and boys actively participate in shaping a society of peace, non-violence and respect for children's rights.

Sub-objectives:

1. the approaches of the 3 partner organizations from Benin, Cameroon and Togo to accompany children and young people for effective engagement in peacebuilding and responsible citizenship and to create spaces for their engagement are aligned, tested and accessible to other actors.
2. local youth structures in the project areas are strengthened for joint participation and civic engagement to promote peaceful coexistence.
3. participation and exchange opportunities exist for children and youth with community, religious and traditional leaders in the 6 target communities.

• Regional meetings for competence and knowledge transfer between the partners
• Support for the 6 project communities in setting up an ombudsman's office for child protection and participation in each case
• Support for the engagement of 25 members of local youth groups as peacemakers
• Training of 600 members and leaders of local youth structures
• Training 720 children and young people to participate in peace processes and development projects.
• Organisation of 12 interfaith mobilization campaigns on peace and non-violence
• Organisation of 36 community forums with youth organizations and other NGOs on social cohesion, inter-religious dialogue and culture of peace in different communities
• Training 120 religious and traditional leaders on peacebuilding, social cohesion and peaceful conflict resolution
• Advocacy work with political and social decision-makers to promote the participation of children and young people
• Organisation of one peace forum per country

Project costs: € 512,600

Funding partner:

• Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Kinderrechte Afrika e. V. and our local partners (donations)
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Cover picture: In the Far North of Cameroon, exchange forums were organized between various groups of children. Throughout the region, a sense of togetherness has emerged amoung the children that is stronger than religious and cultural differences. © ALDEPA