The NGORAEScommissionedEquipopto promote the emergence of innovative social and community mobilization projects through its project incubation program(EquipopLab). Equipop therefore launched its activities in Burkina Faso and Niger in early 2019 to develop these projects using the tools provided by theC'estla vie + program(television series, radio series, web series, educational kit).
EquipopLabsuse the DesignThinking methodology, which encourages the sharing of knowledge and expertise by creating a space for collective reflection and creation for the implementation of innovative and relevant projects. During theC'estla vieLabs, Equipop introduced a new way of monitoring and evaluating projects: change-oriented approaches. These approaches are a set of methods and tools that enable the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of actions aimed at supporting a complex process of social change, which is primarily driven by itsactors. Change-oriented approaches therefore favor participatory approaches and strategies that enable the actorsinvolvedto monitor and evaluate the actions in which they areinvolved.
In Burkina Faso and Niger, a consortium of civil society organizations(CSOs)was therefore supported in designing projects aimed at addressing a key issue specific to each country concerning the sexual and reproductive health and rights ofadolescentsand young people(SRHRYP).
Burkina Faso– reducingthe vulnerabilities ofmarginalizedrural youth through tailoredSRHR messages
TheC'estla vieLabBurkina Faso project aims—through the expertise of mentors—to use social spaces foradolescentsand young people in the town ofZinaré(kiosks and girls' clubs)to create places where they can talk aboutSRHR.
In order to carry out this project, radio episodes from the programC’estla vie + will serve asa platformfor engaging in dialogue and conveying accurate, high-quality information. Contests for the most beautiful kiosk or the best song aboutC’estla vie will help energize activities and create a favorable and fun environment for discussing DSSRAJ topics. At the same time, with a view to ensuring sustainability and ownership, griots, storytellers, and other songwriters from the community will create works(songs and stories)based on the stories fromC’estla vie. The aim is for these works to be shared within communities and become part of popular culture through their dissemination at festive events.
Niger – improving dialogue onSRHRrepresentation among newly married couples to eliminate gender inequalities
TheC’estla vieLabNiger project aims to encourage couples to discussSRHRthrough training in life skills, including communication aboutSRHRand conflict management.
InFilingué, groups will be formed between mothers-in-law, co-wives, young girls, and young boys. Each group will be led byalocalinfluencer(a member of the community) who, due to their proximity to the group members, will be able to establish a climate of trust in which to address sometimes sensitive topics. Afacilitator(not a member of the community)will ensure that the messages conveyed bythe influencerare accurate and of high quality. The screening of excerpts from the television seriesC'estla vie will allow eachparticipantto be confronted with appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, thus initiating the debate.
To successfully complete these two projects, the consortiums must now prepare the groundwork for implementation. To this end, meetings with localauthoritiesand working partners in both locations will be organized in the coming weeks.
