The Mopti Regional Council is counting on educating young people - ACTIF
The Mopti region in central Mali has a relatively dense population, over 2 million inhabitants in 2009. This population has increased by over a third in the past ten years. Educational structures, schools as well as other State services, have already been struggling to deal with this demographic growth for several years. Since 2015, a crisis has further worsened the situation. Among other things, it has led to the closure of schools and a near absence of employment opportunities in some areas. The situation means that a substantial proportion of young people have no prospects for the future.
Facilitating working life integration for 3,000 young people
To bring this process to a halt and, more importantly, to build the future, the Mopti Regional Council has adopted a new regional development plan intended first and foremost for young people. Based on three cornerstones—education, training and integration—this plan has several components. It supports local authorities in their educational and training investment. This support comes both in the form of technical advice and funding. The overall goal is to put in place a dense network of schools and training centers forming the basis of a real and ambitious education and training policy. Another component will see the project facilitate economic and social integration for 3,000 young people, including at least 40% women, by supporting them along a pathway to strengthen their skills. This aid comes in a very tangible form: literacy modules and support towards employment in sectors with potential for the region.
To ensure the success and continuity of this plan, the Regional Council is implementing its actions across several fields. In educational terms, the pedagogical skills of teachers and the operational capacities of teacher training institutes will be reinforced. The goal is to reduce the risk of pupils dropping out and leaving school. The local authorities will also be made aware of the challenges faced. Finally, in voluntary terms, actions to facilitate integration, such as training for growth occupations, will be implemented with the assistance of a consortium of NGOs, which will work hand in hand with the authorities.
Results
The aim of this project, worth a total of €10 million, is to improve the economic resilience of young people in order to reduce perceived exclusion and increase their participation in the socio-economic development of the Mopti region. More specifically, it aims to set up short training and vocational integration courses for the benefit of 3000 young people, and to create/renovate 25 literacy and vocational training centres under the supervision of the local authorities. To date, 483 (254 men, 229 women, including 39 with disabilities) have completed their literacy training in 19 open centres, 600 young people have followed work-linked training and 577 young people (196 young people in 2018 and 381 young people in April and May 2020) have been integrated into working life. A new cohort of 1400 young people has already been mobilised to start literacy training (400 young people) and vocational training (1,000 young people) from 1 July 2020 onwards.
Photo credit : Youness Med Dowgui – AFD
Mali
Fields of action
