Mali › Artisans for Peace
In March 2022 we implemented the one-year pilot project Artisans for Peace as part of the USAID-funded Mali Peacebuilding, Stabilization, and Reconciliation initiative led by Creative Associates International. The project empowered 80 youth in Ségou, Mopti, Timbuktu, and Menaka by providing them with productive employment in the artisan sector, helping them resist recruitment by violent extremist organizations. Artisans for Peace partnered with five artisan businesses that served as mentors to these youths throughout the pilot program.
Key Achievements:
Equipped 80 youth with skills to resist recruitment by violent extremist organizations through employment in the artisan sector.
Completed comprehensive internship placement with artisan groups for the youth.
Facilitated participation for six fairs in Mali and one in a fair in Burkina Faso
10 youth gained employment in artisan enterprises, while others formed their own cooperative
Designed 80 new products and produced a stock of about 800 items, generating total sales of 2,798,850 FCFA ($4,476).
Donor: USAID (Sub to Creative Associates International)
Start Date: March 2022
End Date: April 2023
Number of Beneficiaries: 88
Training Hours: 11,620
Number of Businesses Supported: 4
