Support local economic co-development initiatives in the Region of Sédhiou, Phase 2 (PAICODELS 2)

Related Sustainable Development Goals and Global Compact for Migration Objectives

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SDG 4: Quality Education
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SDG 8: Decent Work
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
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gcm 6
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GCM 15
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GCM 16
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GCM 18
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GCM 19
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Summary

The Sédhiou region is populated with a majority of young people under 25 years old and living in rural areas. Human mobility is constant in the region’s history that has seen immigration, emigration and transit as mobility phenomena. Some locals move back and forth between their places of reception and origin for seasonal work (rainfed agriculture) while others migrate to other parts of Senegal or Africa for agricultural work in general. Nationals are often organized in development associations, through which they contribute to the development of Sédhiou and transfer funds to their families, as well as initiate economic projects in the region. As part of the IOM-UNDP Global Programme on Making Migration Work for Sustainable Development, this project contributes to local socio-economic development through income generation, communication and strengthening the knowledge base on interventions and investment projects surrounding migration and sustainable development.

Key objective

The project aims to enhance employment and livelihood opportunities for migrants and local communities, including by engaging the diaspora for investment in local development projects. 

Main activities

  • Establish a support fund for local economic co-development initiatives to strengthen migrant micro-projects.
  • Redesign of the HOM (Help Office for Migrants) interactive platform, a mobilization tool to engage migrants and diaspora for investment projects in their communities of origin.
  • Produce a documentary film on the successful socio-economic investment experiences of migrants from Sédhiou, running six radio broadcasts on irregular migration, investment opportunities, and innovative examples.
  • Strengthen and consolidate the role of local authorities in the Sédhiou Region in the development and implementation of economic co-development projects, in close collaboration with migrants through consultation meetings and technical workshops. sharing of tools on migration and local development. 
  • Strengthen and consolidate dialogue and consultation between local authorities. Regions of Sédhiou, host communities in France, Spain and Italy with a view to lasting decentralized cooperation partnerships, including through the Missions Double Espace (MDE), which promote decentralized partnerships to facilitate investment in localities of origin.

© SEDHIOU DIRECT 2023

Key successes or innovative factors, good practices and lessons learned (if available)

  • The Programme supported the establishment of a regional platform for the ARDs, the HOM (Help Office For Migrants – Bureau d’appui aux migrants) which responds to one of the main motivations of the region, which is to open the Collectivités Territoriales (CT) of the Sédhiou region to the rest of the world and to support migrants and diaspora to invest in the region in a sustainable manner. The platform is now live!
  • The Programme has also launched a local fund that supports business projects submitted by local migrants and community members. 29 individuals or associations have received funding for their ideas. The Regional Development Agency of Sedhiou is leading the coaching and close follow-up of those local initiatives. Local funds like this generate entrepreneurship, vital innovation and kick-start economies.
  • Coordination and collaboration is key to making this work. Regular workshops and coordination meetings are carried out with nearly 30 relevant local stakeholders and actors working on migration issues in the region of Sedhiou. Those meetings provide a space to discuss opportunities in terms of funding, skill training, scholarships and employment for local people.
  • It's important to carry out training and not only seed funding to ensure projects are successful and sustainable. This project trained participants to make business plans and conduct project management.

Read case studies on good practices in Sédhiou and lessons learned:

  • Encouraging Returning Migrants to Invest in Rural Development to Improve Local Livelihoods and Empower Women (English, French)
  • Supporting Integrated Farms Committed to Community Well-Being and Natural Resource Protection (English, French)

Beneficiaries

  • 29 projects (individual or associations) of local people (including returning migrants, migrants and families of migrants) received support to implement or strengthen their projects.
  • For now, the fund has enabled the support of around 32 direct jobs, mainly made up of young people and women, and 108 indirect jobs.
  • 20 people were trained to build business plans, and 28 received training on project management.

 

Watch a video to hear more from our beneficiaries and partners in Senegal.

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