Fall 2021

Dispatches

updates from around our world

The new Littorals Regional Initiative is addressing violent extremism in the Sahel region.

Creative and its partners are working towards a brighter future for Jordanian children by strengthening education services in the country.

Jordan // West Africa // Middle East New Creative Programming

nance, conflict resolution and social cohesion. Called the Littorals Regional Initiative, this program supports local counterparts in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Togo by pro- viding short-term, targeted programming that reduces opportunities for violent extremists to expand their networks. Funded by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, the Littorals Regional Initiative complements the broader U.S. government presence in the region. While extremist organizations have been

Creative launched three new programs in Burkina Faso, West Africa and Jordan that are funded by USAID. Each program addresses a specific concern in each country with a solution-oriented approach. West Africa’s program focuses on improving stability and cohesion by reducing opportunities for violent extremists to expand their networks. Jordan’s program seeks to improve technical systems that led to poor educational services. Burkina Faso’s program will rebuild citizens’ trust in the government to deliver services and reduce the prolifera-

tion of violent extremist groups. The community-led programs empower citi- zens, government and local organizations by including them from the planning to execu- tion stages so that the work is sustained in the

targeted areas. West Africa

Facing increased pressures from violent ex- tremist organizations from the Sahel region, five West African coastal countries will receive support through a program to address factors that will improve stability, including gover-

Photos by Michael Waidmann for MCN Build Foundation

8 | Think Creative | Fall 2021