Across many parts of the Sahel, conflict and violence has intensified at the same time as drought and rising temperatures are undermining food production and agricultural productivity. Land available to pastoralists, who traditionally roam for pasture, is shrinking, leading to conflict. Within this context, young people are increasingly caught between violence and a lack of opportunity for meaningful employment.
With the rise of extremism across the Sahel, creating opportunities for young people has never been more important. “If we look at the situation faced by youth in Mali today, it is a big