Burkina Faso is a landlocked country with an area of 274,200 square kilometers. The macroeconomic situation is stable but poverty and social inequality persist. Burkina Faso's population has more than tripled since the 60s, with an average current rate of population growth of 3.1% per year, which poses a real challenge in terms of wealth creation, food security and access to basic social services.
Traditionally a stable country in a volatile region, Burkina Faso remains fragile, due, among other things, to regional insecurity from the crisis in northern Mali. In addition, the country faces food insecurity.
Our priorities
The political context in Burkina Faso offers opportunities. Presidential elections and the November 2020 legislative elections opened a political window to secure and stabilize the country and carry out the reforms necessary to implement effective policies. The new national development framework, the “National Plan for Economic and Social Development 2021-2025 (PNDES-II)” sets out the country’s objectives and is an opportunity to redirect the government strategy to better meet the needs of populations and strengthen the crisis response capacity.
The programming for Burkina Faso is based on a joint framework document between the EU and its Member States establishing their political priorities for the period 2021-2027.
The proposed priority areas are the following:
Peace - Social cohesion - Good governance - Local development
This priority area will contribute, through the promotion of more effective public policies and local development, to the achievement of peace, justice, effective institutions, and reduced inequalities.
Inclusive human development
This priority area will pursue the achievement of ‘’no poverty”, “zero hunger”, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and reduced inequalities.
Green and resilient economy
This priority area focuses on the prosperity of the new consensus for development and the 2030 agenda, and particularly the Green Deal strategy in its agri-food system components, biodiversity, and sustainable energy, while participating in the empowerment pillar of the gender strategy.
Our programmes
The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Burkina Faso for 2021-2024 amounts to €384 million.
Priority area 1: ‘’Peace - Social cohesion - Good governance - Local development’’ promotes peace and social cohesion, the rule of law, and good governance at a national and local level. It aims to strengthen the effectiveness of public policies and promote local development within the framework of a multidimensional territorial approach.
Priority area 2: ‘’Inclusive human development’’ advances human development as a factor of social inclusion while reinforcing social services (health and social protection) for the benefit of the population It also supports improved access to drinking water and sanitation and education opportunities for all.
Priority area 3: ‘’Green and resilient economy’’ contributes to a sustainable, inclusive green growth that generates decent employment and food and nutrition security. It further helps youth empowerment, of women and groups in situations of discrimination. Finally, it supports the conservation, restoration, sustainable management, and exploitation of natural ecosystems while modernizing and diversifying the Agri-food Sectors and strengthening management capacities and local skills.
Support measures
In Burkina Faso, civil society is very developed, diversified, and active. These actors are a force of mobilization and proposal and do not experience any particular obstacles at the legal or formal level. The authorities are open to the role given to civil society in the delivery of basic social services, accountability, and citizen control, participation in certain consultation frameworks, and their involvement in the formulation and monitoring of certain public policies at the national level.
The public consultation with CSOs and partners helped to better define a comprehensive approach for support under the MIP and the two #TeamEurope Initiatives (TEIs) contributing to the implementation of the 3 priority areas. Indeed, the involvement of CSOs and therefore EU support will be key to achieving good results in the priority areas defined such as access to drinking water and sanitation, health, social protection, agriculture, vocational training, conflict prevention, and access to justice or local economic initiatives.