Market based livelihood interventions for refugees and host communities in Niger

The Government has taken a number of legal and institutional steps in response. Agencies have been created with responsibility for elaborating and implementing action plans but the necessary resources and inter-Ministerial coordination are inadequate. In addition, the influential Association of Traditional Chiefs and some NGOs actively campaign against forced labour practices. However, there is a lack of capacity to make a big difference. The political will is there but the means are not. Activities in Niger would contribute to all five Intermediate Objectives of the project, focusing in particular on a) raising awareness of the forced labour Protocol and measures against forced labour, especially in rural areas where traditional forms of slavery continue unquestioned, b) building the capacity of the government at national and local levels to implement forced labour laws and combat traditional practices of slavery, c) offering improved livelihoods to former forced labourers in order to reduce their dependency on their former masters. Gender and SDG 8.7 would be cross-cutting elements. Research would provide an evidence base for directing policy and implementation, and for sharing good practices with Mauritania, another Bridge Project priority country that shares a number of similar challenges.

Project symbol

NER/19/01/USA

Admin unit

CO-Abidjan

Start date

20/09/2019

End date

31/08/2023

Total allocation

3919320

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

3919320

Development Partners

USA, Department of State

Country/Countries

Niger

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Economic, social and environmental transitions for full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work for all
Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises as generators of employment and promoters of innovation and decent work