The goals

The intervention proposed here aims to promote an inclusive society capable of offering professional training and employment opportunities to all, encouraging participatory and sustainable economic growthThe aim is therefore Promote inclusive work policies and practices, improve the supply of work skills for youth, women and persons with disabilities, and facilitate access to the labour market through support for entrepreneurship in the regions of Abu, Bafatá, Oio, Cacheu and the Autonomous Sector of Bissau.

The activities

This project proposal, promoted by Associazione Mani Tese in partnership with the Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau (AIFO), Amigos da Criança (AMIC) and the Federation of Associations for the Defense and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Guinea-Bissau (FADPD-GB), has an expected duration of 30 months.

OUTCOME 1 – CSOs FROM THE 5 REGIONS WILL STRENGTHEN THEIR ORGANISATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS, THEIR CAPACITY TO DETECT AND MANAGE SITUATIONS OF VULNERABILITY, AND TO BRING THEM TO THE ATTENTION OF INSTITUTIONS AT VARIOUS LEVELS

A1.1 Basic study

The project will start with the definition of a baseline of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the five regions of intervention (SAB, Gabu, Bafatá, Oio and Cacheu) that address the rights of women and youth in situations of vulnerability. The objective of this activity is to identify the level of structuring of CSOs and then select a total of twenty organizations that will be beneficiaries of the project. The selection criteria will include: i) thematic area of ​​intervention, ii) target beneficiaries of the CSO, iii) region of intervention, iv) relevance of the CSO to the community, v) number of women/youth/people with disabilities involved in the management of the CSO. First, a questionnaire will be submitted to the pre-selected organizations, defining their geolocation, socio-demographic characteristics, organizational chart, internal management, intervention and methods of external communication with target groups, population and institutions. Secondly, through a “djumbai” (meeting) with the members of the organization, a SWOT analysis will be carried out to complete the picture of needs and potentials. The information collected will be systematized in a baseline document for each selected organization, from which a customized dossier will be compiled to record the progress of the CSOs according to the project indicators. The definition of the baseline will also serve to define the training package planned for the first result.

A1.2 Strengthening the organizational and technical capacities of CSOs

The CSOs identified during the baseline study carried out at the beginning of the project will participate in a training process aimed at strengthening their organizational and technical capacities in a holistic and comprehensive way. The course will be led by a specialized trainer and will be held in the five regions of intervention. There will be two sessions for a total of 16 days. For each sub-module, the beneficiary CSOs will indicate the most suitable person to participate, based on the functions performed in the organization. The general training will last ten days, followed by a nine-month period of mentoring with a regional trainer in the field and a final six-day refresher session. Personalized technical assistance throughout the project will offer practical guidance and assistance in implementing the necessary improvements. The topics of the training modules will focus on: Governance, Financial and administrative management, Fundraising, Communication and IT, Monitoring and evaluation. The latter is developed to track the progress made by the CSOs whose results will be recorded in a personalized dossier.

A1.3 Strengthening the psychosocial capacities of CSOs

Mani Tese will organize a training course aimed at strengthening the psychosocial capacities of the identified CSOs, so that they possess the appropriate skills to rebalance the socio-relational well-being and the psyche of the people they work with, so that they can progressively reintegrate into their socio-family context. with the aim of sharing the reception tools and experiences systematized in the previous project (registration forms, files and individual reintegration plans). The courses will be aimed at a total of 25 people. The course will be conducted by a specialized trainer and will be held in the five regions of intervention in two sessions of five days each. During the first session, the members of the participating CSOs will be involved in a co-creation exercise of knowledge related to the development of a common and transversal psychosocial approach to the vulnerabilities addressed by the project. In this regard, participants will be encouraged to explore the dimensions and interconnections between these vulnerabilities, analyzing how the phenomena of violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination are intertwined between young people and women, including disabled people and children. After the first session, CSOs will be invited to develop an intersectionality-based psychosocial protocol specific to their organization. CSOs will have six months to prepare it, accompanied by a regional tutor. Afterwards, a second refresher session will be held, during which CSOs will present their work and will have the opportunity to review the theoretical basis of the topic and correct any errors.

A1.4 Strengthening CSO advocacy capacities

The training module foreseen in this activity aims at strengthening advocacy capacities. The basic idea of ​​this training module is that it is possible to intervene in this area by strengthening the organizational capacities of CSOs and by providing them with a more structured and organized methodology, usually absent in their knowledge framework on intervention methods. The course will be led by a specialized trainer and will take place in the five regions of intervention. There will be two sessions of three days each: during the first, participants will familiarize themselves with the theoretical framework of the topic. They will also be asked, from the first days, to think of a topic on which to create an advocacy action to be presented by the end of the week. After the first session, CSOs will be invited to develop the proposed idea, putting into practice the methodology learned. In this process, they will be accompanied by a regional tutor in the field. CSOs will have six months to organize their actions. Subsequently, a second refresher session will be held, during which the organizations will present the work done and will have the opportunity to review the theoretical foundations of the topic and correct any errors. Group work between different CSOs with common goals will be encouraged, as well as the development of real advocacy actions that, rather than being simple exercises, can be implemented even beyond the course.

A1.5 Strengthening the psychosocial capacities of institutions

In addition to strengthening CSOs, the project will also transversally address improving the psychosocial capacities of institutions in order to multiply their impact in the target regions. In this context, the strengthening of the psychosocial capacities of institutions will be structured on three pillars:

The sensitive attitude to adopt towards a vulnerable person. Officials will be encouraged to use prudent, non-offensive and non-discriminatory language and an attitude of understanding and solidarity.
Analysis of the political and legislative framework. Laws and public policies regarding phenomena of violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination that affect women, young people and people with disabilities will be presented.
Analysis and improvement of the institution's codes of conduct: Institutional representatives will be asked to examine the existing codes of conduct in their institutions, based on documents such as statutes, codes of ethics or internal policies.            
The course will be led by a specialized trainer and will be held in each of the five intervention regions, with two sessions spaced out to monitor the application of the skills learned. It will be aimed at representatives of the police, social services, hospitals and health centers, judicial institutions, schools, educational centers, religious representatives and local governments. The first training session will last six days (two days for each training pillar). Subsequently, a local tutor will meet fortnightly, for six months, with the officials participating in the course to clarify doubts and improve the daily application of the skills acquired. After six months, a second two-day refresher session will be held to review the theoretical concepts based on practical experience. On this occasion, the participants will present the difficulties encountered, the solutions adopted and those still to be found, which will be discussed with the other participants.

RESULT 2 – CSOs FROM THE 5 REGIONS WILL HAVE IMPROVED DIALOGUE WITH PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS FOR THE JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY PLANS AND ACTIONS FOR VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON YOUNG PEOPLE AND WOMEN (R2)

A2.1 Strengthening and/or establishment of regional committees

Strengthening CSOs is accompanied by improved cooperation with institutions. This activity aims to create an operational line of cooperation between civil society organizations and institutions at regional level involved in the fight against violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination of women and young people, including disabled people and minors. First, CSOs (including those strengthened through the activities of the first outcome) and key institutional actors (access to justice centers, health centers, judicial and public security police, specific departments of local governments, etc.) will be identified and initial contacts established. During the first introductory meeting, each participant will explain their role, the institution they belong to and the service they provide on the phenomena of violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination against women and young people, including disabled people and minors. From this information, a map of possible collaborations between CSOs and institutions will be created. During the “djumbai”, CSOs and institutions will have the opportunity to discuss the management of critical cases, share information and data, and tell how the parties (CSO-CSO and CSO-institutions) will collaborate to find solutions to cooperation challenges.

A.2.2 Strengthening existing dialogue tables

The activity aims to continue and strengthen two tables of dialogue and consultation between CSOs and institutions at the national level, respectively on the issues of violence against women and the rights of persons with disabilities. Through this project activity, it is intended to strengthen the existence of the table and its appropriation by all CSOs and member institutions, continuing to offer opportunities for discussion, consultation, denunciation and organization of advocacy actions for the defense of women's rights. In particular, emphasis will be given to some recommendations that often return to the center of the debate: 1) the need to adopt measures against illicit cover-ups by health centers and police forces in the treatment of victims of gender violence; 2) the allocation of funds dedicated to human rights issues.

On these issues, participants will be invited, during 6 meetings, co-managed by Mani Tese and AMIC, to train, exchange information and then create two advocacy campaigns (one for each of the issues mentioned above) during 6 other meetings. Activity 2.2 aims to resume and deepen the process started in collaboration with STARS, thanks to the active participation of FADPD-GB, MINSAP and WHO, to create a National Rehabilitation Plan that responds to the essential rehabilitation needs of people, both disabled and not, in Guinea-Bissau.

A2.3 Promotion of international networks

This activity aims to bring the voice of the rights of vulnerable people in Guinea-Bissau to the level of West Africa, with which the country shares social challenges. It is intended to make Guinea-Bissau the protagonist of one of the meetings of the steering committee for the year 2025, with the aim of dedicating part of the theme to forced and early marriages in West Africa, give resonance to the phenomenon and call for action for change at the sub-regional level. The activity will focus on strengthening in this context both AMIC and FADPD-GB, already part of sub-regional networks in which they represent Guinea-Bissau.

A.2.4 Awareness-raising actions

Awareness-raising actions aim to create collective awareness, reducing stigma and improving public perception on these issues. They include information campaigns in the media that will address the issues of gender-based violence, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, the rights of young people and persons with disabilities; community and theatre events performed by local theatre groups that will stage everyday life situations regarding domestic violence, early marriage and the rights of persons with disabilities; awareness-raising campaigns in schools where seminars and workshops will be organized in secondary schools and universities in the five target regions; public awareness days coordinated with key local and national actors in collaboration with CSOs and local institutions.

A.2.5 Creation of community alert mechanisms

Another key pillar of the project is the creation or strengthening of community alert mechanisms (SAC – Community Alert System) in the five regions of intervention. The process of creating SACs involves the establishment of community monitoring groups made up of CSO members and local volunteers, who will be trained on identifying, recording and reporting cases of violence and discrimination. The SACs will work in close collaboration with local authorities and will be supported by community awareness-raising on their functioning.

A.2.6 Sustainability of actions

To ensure the functioning of the above activities, mechanisms will be created that provide for the constant involvement of local and national authorities in order to capitalize on public and institutional practices and policies. Furthermore, CSOs will be supported in strengthening their organizational and financial capacities in order to ensure their future operational continuity. Finally, monitoring and evaluation systems will be established in order to make any corrections during implementation and improve the sustainability of the initiative.

RESULT 3 – CSOs FROM THE 5 REGIONS HAVE BECOME PROMOTERS OF ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP INITIATIVES IN THE FIELDS OF PREVENTION, PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND WOMEN.

A3.1 Strengthening the technical capacities of young people and women for access to employment

This activity aims to improve the professional skills of beneficiaries, through technical and vocational training that responds to the needs of the local labor market. The project will start with the identification of the technical skills required by the local economies of the five target regions. A preliminary analysis will be conducted together with CSOs, local institutions and representatives of the private sector to identify the sectors where there is a greater demand for work and which technical skills are needed; following this analysis the project foresees the creation of training paths in the following areas: agriculture and processing of agricultural products, crafts and local production, information and communication technologies. The CSOs involved in the project will collaborate with existing vocational training centers in the target regions to organize specific courses that respond to the identified needs. Local trainers will be selected and trained to deliver the training effectively, with a special focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities and continuous mentoring.

A3.2 Creation of micro-enterprises and support for entrepreneurship

This activity aims to create an environment conducive to the inclusion of people with disabilities in the world of work, while promoting their economic autonomy. In collaboration with the Federation of Associations for the Defense and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Guinea-Bissau (FADPD-GB), a mapping of persons with disabilities in the target regions will be carried out. Once the mapping is completed, the identified persons with disabilities will be involved in targeted technical and professional training courses. The training courses will be designed to provide skills that can be directly used on the labor market, on the topics already considered previously. For those who wish to start an independent economic activity, an entrepreneurship support program will be offered; transversally, awareness-raising work for employers will be carried out, coordinated with the Ministry of Labor and other competent authorities, to ensure on the one hand greater inclusiveness and greater job opportunities for persons with disabilities, and on the other to ensure that public policies are increasingly attentive to this type of issues.

A3.3 Promotion of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace

There are two components to this action: on the one hand, the 4 microenterprises will receive additional technical support for their activities; on the other hand, a more innovative element will be proposed: the strengthening of the active role of women entrepreneurs as antennas that promote the socioeconomic integration of other women. For this reason, Entrepreneurs will receive training from Mani Tese social workers on how to become proactive agents in the fight against gender-based violence.

A3.4 Development of public-private partnerships for labour inclusion

The project aims to strengthen collaboration between the public sector, the private sector and CSOs, creating a partnership network that promotes employment and social inclusion. Market analyses and consultations with local businesses, public authorities and CSOs will be conducted to identify public-private partnership opportunities. This will be followed by the development of Memoranda of Understanding to formalise the joint commitment to promoting the labour inclusion of vulnerable groups and the creation of internship and apprenticeship programmes in local companies to provide practical experience and even a possibility of subsequent employment. Networking events between CSOs, businesses and public institutions will be held to facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices to be taken into account.

A3.5 Active citizenship initiatives

The project aims to stimulate collective awareness of citizens' rights and responsibilities, promoting civic engagement as a tool to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable categories. Active citizenship groups will be established in the five target regions, consisting of young people, women and people with disabilities, with the task of stimulating civic participation and public dialogue. Members of the active citizenship groups will be trained on citizens' rights and duties, advocacy and political participation and the organization of awareness-raising campaigns. In addition, they will organize community events in the form of open public debates and cultural events such as theater performances, concerts and art exhibitions to ensure awareness-raising on issues of social relevance. Active citizenship groups will also be supported in participating in decision-making processes and in particular will have the opportunity to launch advocacy initiatives at regional level through collaboration with local institutions and CSOs.

A3.6 Income-generating activities for vulnerable groups

This activity aims to provide direct economic support to youth, women and people with disabilities through the development of income-generating activities. The beneficiaries of the project will receive training and technical assistance to start income-generating activities. The training courses will focus on the following areas: small business management, production and processing techniques and market access. The project will therefore facilitate access to financing for the beneficiaries by assisting them in applying for financing at preferential rates.