Young people are the fulcrum on which these societies will progress or devolve.
By training youth leaders in areas such as leadership and civic engagement, and in the use of tools such as mobile cinema, participatory theater, social media, and film production, PDev II empowered young men and women to be positive examples in their communities and to inspire their peers. At the same time, supporting sustainable livelihoods and increasing access to education created positive life choices for those most at risk.
Three Approaches to Empower Youth:
1. Supporting Youth leaders
PDev II-trained youth leaders engaged their peers to elevate the positive role youth can play in communities. Youth organized activities included mobile cinema showings and participatory theater performances that encouraged interactive and inclusive discussions on topics ranging from the importance of focusing in school and working hard, to herder and pastoralist conflicts and how to peacefully mitigate them.
Nearly 3,500 individuals trained in leadership, participatory theater or multi-media. Read More→
2,100+ youth-led community events including:
950+ mobile cinema projections. Read More→
1,200+ participatory theater performances. Read More→
Nearly 110,000 youth participated in community events attended by 245,000+ community members. Read More→
30 short and medium format films were created by youth. Read More→
2. Vocational Training
Lasting from several weeks to several months, vocational trainings helped at-risk youth build a useful set of skills in fields ranging from tailoring to auto mechanics. In addition, young entrepreneurs were trained to start their own small businesses. Upon completion of the training, youth received a start-up kit to aid them in the pursuit of their craft or business. To build local capacity for further training, PDev II also supported pre-existing vocational training centers.
2,600+ youth received vocational training and livelihood assistance. Read More→
$460,000+ provided to support vocational training at 10 training centers. Read More→
3. Increased Access to Education
By providing learning materials, textbooks and school furniture, and constructing several classrooms, PDev II increased the capacity of secondary schools to accommodate more youth and made staying in school more attractive for youth that attend. Many schools in the program region, particularly in rural areas, lack furniture and supplies, with multiple students sharing one textbook, and several sharing a desk and bench meant for only one. In addition, literacy training sought to reduce the social and economic exclusion of a select group of at-risk adults.
150+ formal and non-formal schools supported through provision of $1.1+ million in supplies, equipment and infrastructure benefitting 105,000+ students in at-risk areas. Read More→
Nearly 30 classrooms constructed in 10 communities. Read More→
2,030+ adults became functionally literate. Read More→
Success Stories
"The theme of the film was for the elections and that you should not be manipulated by the political parties. Before the last elections we projected these films and I think there was a real benefit establishing peaceful elections."
Participatory theater performers interact with the public to show ways that they can adapt, change, or correct a situation, attitude or behavior. This combination of entertainment and education has proven effective in bringing about positive change.
PDev II financed construction and equipment for classrooms in Burkina Faso, including desks, ceiling fans, and supplies. The American Ambassador and Burkina Faso’s Minister of Education attended the opening ceremony
Anticipating potential political unrest in the 2016 electoral season, PDev II-trained artists used their musical talents and peacebuilding skills for a song and music video that highlights the importance of peaceful co-existence and Nigerian national unity.
"I saw that even if you are from a poor family, you can do well and succeed in life due to effort and determination. They made us understand that our school is not a place for conflict and violence, but a place for education and tolerance."
“The initiatives of PDev II raised the social consciousness of each of us to really reflect on how it's possible to change things in our community."
Honorine is one of more than 2,000 youth that received vocational training through PDev II. Trainings ranged from tailoring to auto mechanics and food preparation/catering.
“We have become better structured since our engagement with PDev II. Since 2012, we are better organized and have a vision of development and promotion of youth that is clearer.”
Aichata received PDev II leadership training in 2013. After being elected Vice Mayor, she is eager to use her role to mobilize other youth towards countering violent extremism in N’Guigmi.
”I was trained in one of the first training programs in 2011 for community engagement ... it's a contribution to development in our country and also to reduce violent extremism in our community.”
"The school was built in 2015, at that time we had 1,469 students. It has grown since then. There are two classrooms built here with the support of PDev II. The students in these classes feel really encouraged in their studies because of the equipment that has been supplied."
“In Niger, cinema is the best way to explore social issues and raise questions. Where so many are illiterate, the cinema offers a universal language that can reach large numbers of Nigeriens.”
"I have been working with PDev II since 2012 ... It's our role as youth to create a synergy between the different structures so we can create a dynamic emerging country. I am an actor of change in my country."
Before the support of PDev II, our school lacked the most basic equipment. This support allowed me to sit at a desk during my classes, instead of on the floor. However, it was when PDev II announced the student competition that I really became motivated to improve my studies.
Through participatory theater and PDev II we understood and helped others to understand ... that we can banish violence in all its forms and that to empower youth is to promote a culture of peace.
"A year ago, I would never have imagined I would be able to feed myself, much less my family,” one of the bakers said. “This training has even allowed us to dream of buying our own land and expanding our bakery. We finally have hope for our futures."
Bocar Douramane is one of 1,139 youth that received vocational training through PDev II. Trainings ranged from tailoring to auto mechanics and food preparation/catering.
Youth Empowerment in Action
A happy winner receives award from a community leader.
Large event in Mao, Chad

Newly constructed classrooms at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso on October 6, 2016.

Students enter classrooms after an opening ceremony at the Yadega High School in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso

Community engagement and motivation in Agadez, Niger

Simon Do Ollé of association ARCAN that produced the murals

Honorine Badini in her hair salon in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso
Motorcycle mechanics trainee in Niger

Members of the community watch in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

Audience at performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger

Audience at performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger

performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

performance in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

performer in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

performers in the neighborhood of Airport Gawado, Niamey, Niger on September 29, 2016

Elie Moussa Tiendrebeogo talks with boys living on the streets in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Elie Moussa Tiendrebeogo talks with boys living on the streets in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

PDev II-constructed and equipped classroom in Niamey, Niger
Large-scale performance to engage a community in Niger
Community members flock to an event in Chad

Community engagement performance in Burkina Faso
Headmaster with school supplies provided by PDev II
Books provided to a school in Chad

Students in Chad with books supplied by PDev II

Students at a school in Chad that was assisted by PDev II
School supplies offered as incentives for high-achieving students in Chad

Young people travel for mobile cinema events in Burkina Faso





























It’s our role as youth to create a synergy between the different structures so we can create a dynamic emerging country. I am an actor of change in my country.