Réseau Afrique Jeunesse – African Youth Network

PeaceNexus' has supported Réseau Afrique Jeunesse (RAJ) in developing and operationalising its new strategic plan.

Réseau Afrique Jeunesse (RAJ) is among the leading NGOs in Burkina Faso, with expertise in the mining sector and a presence in all national mining sites. Its mission is to promote youth participation in Burkina Faso’s social, political and economic life. Since 2018, PeaceNexus’ support has focused on helping RAJ develop a strategic plan that strengthens its capacity as a convener, particularly in relation to conflicts arising in mining areas across Burkina Faso.

In 2021, RAJ presented its new strategic plan to its current and potential partners. This plan helped secure new funding and reposition the organisation as a leading youth NGO in a fast-changing socio-economic and security context. In addition, PeaceNexus accompanied RAJ in reflecting on and adapting its role in mining areas and helped establish a dialogue group, which successfully intervened and contributed to finding joint solutions in six crisis situations in 2021. For example, in one commune, where violent protests erupted after the dismissal of 40 mine workers, their intervention helped calm the situation and restore dialogue. The concluding phase of our partnership focused on increasing visibility and sharing their experience with the wider public.