Togo: The NGO Youth Awake strengthens the capacities of young people and women in Lomé in the prevention of violent extremism and peaceful conflict management

A workshop to present the training manual on nonviolent change strategies and the "Do No Harm" principle, along with an awareness-raising session on community conflict management, was held this Monday at the Golfe 5 town hall in Lomé. This event is part of the second phase of the project to strengthen the inclusion and resilience of young people and women in the face of violent extremism and terrorism.

Implemented by the NGO Youth Awake, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (IFA) and the Togolese government, this project aims to consolidate stability and social cohesion, particularly in Togo's border municipalities.

It specifically aims to:

· Strengthen the capacities of young people and women in leadership, mediation and conflict prevention;
· Promote inclusive local governance by increasing the involvement of these groups in decision-making processes;
· Encourage the peaceful resolution of tensions through community mediation.

According to David Nassandja, monitoring and evaluation manager at Youth Awake and representing the DE at this session, " this manual will allow leaders and local elected officials to acquire concrete tools to govern in peace, inclusion and living together, rejecting all forms of discrimination or frustration ."

As part of this project, 32 trainers – two per municipality – were selected and trained in the 16 targeted municipalities. Their mission is to share the knowledge acquired and raise awareness among members of their respective communities.

During the Golfe 5 workshop, the two trained representatives, Robert Toviekou and Satsi Dayalor Noutepé, presented the results of their training to local authorities, including the Mayor's representative, Councillor ASSILA Kevine Dieudonné, as well as to municipal councillors, community leaders and the Presidents of the market women.

Mr. Robert Kossivi TOVIEKOU, Regional Councilor, emphasized the importance of their mission: "We are mandated after our training to be not only actors but above all trainers on strategies for non-violent change, on community conflict management, on positive communication and on the DO NO HARM concept within our communities .

The trainers also received certificates and working documents to facilitate the popularization of the lessons.

Mr. Noutepé, national coordinator of the NGO Terre d'Accueil, welcomed this initiative: " It not only promotes non-violent behavior in everyday life, but also strengthens social cohesion and encourages communities to live together in peace ."

Northern Togo, particularly border areas such as Cinkassé and Tône, is facing a resurgence of violent extremism. Incursions by terrorist groups active in the Sahel, poverty, youth unemployment, tensions between farmers and herders, and misinformation on social media are exacerbating the population's vulnerability.

To address these challenges, Youth Awake launched the first phase of the project in 2024, which led to the development of local action plans in the 16 municipalities. The second phase, currently underway, aims to deepen these efforts by strengthening community resilience, peace education, and the active involvement of young people and women alongside the authorities.

The approach adopted prioritizes the participation of local stakeholders and the appropriation of conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms. It is based on practical tools adapted to the socio-cultural realities of the regions concerned.

With the implementation of this project, Youth Awake and its partners intend to make a lasting contribution to the prevention of violent extremism and the promotion of a culture of peace in Togo.

The Emissary