UNS 2019-2021: Cross-border cooperation in Liptako-Gourma (phase 1)

Examples of results includes: - UNDP have provided ALG with support to reinforce institutional capacities by supplying the organization with material required for ALG to conduct essential functions in line with their mandate to improve cross-border cooperation in the Liptako-Gourma region. UN ECA have also conducted a study of the socio-economic profile of the region and created a database which constitutes key tools for evidence-based decision making for ALG. - With the purpose to improve the population's access to basic social services in border areas, HCDH and OCHA have worked to strengthen local civil-military coordination mechanisms in Mali and Niger, with better coordination between actors on the ground as a result. - HCDH and UNODC, in collaboration with administrative and judiciary authorities, have reinforced the local justice system in the Liptako-Gourma region, therewith allowing communities living in border areas increased access to a criminal justice system and legal information in accordance with national and international human rights legislation, with the purpose of facilitating access to means of remedy for victims of human rights violations who seek assistance. Results on the ground consist of an improved distribution of justice and increased access to judicial assistance, bridging the gap between the justice system and the communities, including the most vulnerable populations. - The Joint Program has contributed to the protection of women and to reinforce their role in conflict prevention and mediation. UNWOMEN have reinforced the capacity of 259 female peace mediators and constructed sevel peace "huts" in Mali and in Niger, serving as locations for mediation and conflict resolution between communities. 321 women and girls victims of GBV have benefitted from psychosocial support, and 27 information campaigns have been conducted with the purpose to raise awareness around GBV and protection of the righs of women and girls. Results include increased female leadership in peace mediation, decrease in cases of intercommunal conflict, and increased awareness of GBV in the targeted areas. - The program have produced a number of studies increasing the understanding of the socio-economical context and the dynamics of prolonged conflicts in the region. UNESCO conducted an analysis of causes of communal conflicts in the region, and the results were used for a training of journalists, community media on awareness and prevention of conflicts with the purpose to reinforce social cohesion. - Through the program support has been provided to develop professional competences and strengthen livelihoods of populations exposed to vulnerabilities, with the purpose to integrate these populations in the communities. ILO have strengthened the capacities of 300 internally displaced youth to enable them to generate income, by providing professional training and work tools. - UNICEF has supported the construction of learning spaces in Mali and Burkina Faso, allowing access to education for more than 2100 children living in conflict affected areas. In addition to this, 137 internally displaced women and youth in Mali have benefitted from micro-project financing, 4 000 beneficiaries have gained access to clean water in Mali, and in Niger more than 13 000 kids under the age of five have been treated for severe malnutrition.

As outlined in the program document, the objective of the proposed joint UN program is for the UN System (UNS) to come together to support the sub-regional organisation called the Integrated Authority for Liptako-Gourma (ALG) in implementing its strategy and annual plans and to strengthen its capacity to do so, with the purpose of effectively addressing the multiple challenges faced by the sub-region in the area of security, governance and resilience, as understood by the three corresponding pillars of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and its Support Plan (SP). In order to reach the above objectives, the Joint Program (JP) will intervene across four different areas, namely 1. early recovery & livelihoods, with a focus on the most vulnerable, 2. stabilization & social cohesion, 3. the fight against cross-border crimes and 4. the active participation of local actors, including authorities and civil society, all of which will be undertaken in the context of seeking to strengthen cross-border cooperation between the three member states, namely Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.  The program is structured around 4 substantive results and 6 outputs which in summary looks as follows: Result 1: improved cross-border cooperation based on continuous information sharing and coordination; with output 1 aiming at equipping ALG with the necessary capacity to fulfil its expanded mandate and output 2 to strengthen the capacity of national and local authorities for improved cross-border cooperation, including the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks. Result 2: the judicial and security systems in Liptako-Gourma promote and respect human rights; with output 3 aiming at ensuring access for cross-border populations to a functioning judicial system, including legal assistance. Result 3: improved resilience of the most vulnerable, in particular women and youth, to various types of shocks; with output 4 aiming at improving livelihoods, employment and access to basic social services and output 5 aiming at strengthening the capacities of the education sectors of the sub-region to respond to the crisis. Result 4: improved capacity of the populations of the region to resist and prevent violent extremism and radicalisation; with output 6 aiming at strengthening the capacities of local authorities and the communities for conflict resolution and prevention and for social cohesion. The joint program plans to focus its interventions on the ground to three cross-border areas between Burkina Faso & Niger, Mali & Niger and Burkina Faso & Mali. While precise locations have been identified together with ALG, more detailed studies will have to be carried out in the beginning of the program, which will also take into account the prevailing security situation.