Burkina Faso › Resilience Through Craft

The "Resilience Through Craft" project, implemented from April 2023 to July 2024, aimed to support 40 at-risk youth in Koudougou and Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso through artisan training and entrepreneurship. Partnering with two artisan businesses, the project provided skills in production, leadership, and communication, helping the youth resist recruitment by extremist organizations. As a result, 37 youth participated in five local fairs, developed over 200 new products geared for the local market and officially registered two artisan associations.

Key Achievements:  

• 37 youth remained active throughout the project, with 3 new recruits joining to replace previous beneficiaries. 

• 29 youth participated in five local fairs, including the Salon International du Coton et du Textile (SICOT) and Semaine Nationale de la Culture (SNC), gaining market exposure. 

• Two new artisan associations, Lagm-Taab-Yam (LTY) and Diarazemi, were officially legalized and registered in their respective communities. 

• 87% of participants acquired new skills during marketing events, while 97% felt confident in their product-making abilities. 

• The youth developed 202 product samples in two artisan communities, increasing their technical skills and creating inventory for future sales.  

Donor: USAID (Sub to Creative Associates International) 

Start Date: April 2023

End Date: July 2024

Number of Beneficiaries: 40 

Training Hours: 10,724

Number of Businesses Supported: 4