Between glimmer and hope.

Elbow on the table, hand under his chin, Abdrahamane sits in a room waiting for his peers. For months, he has made it a habit to attend this weekly gathering to take part in discussions held as part of psychosocial support activities. This safe space for young people offers a glimmer of hope in a context marked by humanitarian and security crises.

As the temperature drops below the usual heatwave levels, Abdrahamane can now walk through the streets of Gao, the city where he grew up. At 18 years old, he takes advantage of his youth to reach the meeting place on foot. Determined to change his life, he is always among the first to arrive.

“I closed my carpentry workshop for the rest of the day — that’s where I make tables, benches, furniture, and children’s toys,” he explains. “Thanks to UNICEF, I got a small carpentry job. We received training and awareness sessions on best practices for a better, stress-free living environment,” he adds.

At the height of the humanitarian and security crisis in Gao and other northern regions, Abdrahamane — despite his young age — still remembers some of the painful moments he endured, just like many of his peers. Scenes of stress and trauma have left their mark on his youth. “I was under ten when we had to stay locked inside the house because of armed clashes in the city. Some days, we could hear explosions and gunfire,” recalls the young man, who is far from the only one to have faced hardship due to insecurity.

The same is true for Youssouf Maïga, 27, president of the association for people with physical disabilities Gorey Ben, which means “no more time to sit.” Youssouf also participates in psychosocial awareness sessions in the Château neighborhood. Being among 24 other participants in these support sessions is both a privilege and a way to enjoy moments of exchange and camaraderie among peers. “I really absorbed the training. The facilitator is well-equipped and has a gift for sharing her knowledge with us. I’ve learned skills in effective communication, sharing accurate information, making sound decisions, and becoming more aware of my abilities,” he explains.

In Bagoundjé, about 15 kilometers from the city of Gao, similar gatherings are held for young people. Trainer Salamata Saliou, 34, moderates the discussions and ensures that each participant can express their views on the topics discussed.

“We talk about psychosocial skills: being aware of one’s abilities, managing stress, showing empathy toward others, communicating effectively, and making good decisions,” explains Salamata Saliou. According to her, these discussions help young people facing challenges they are ashamed or afraid to discuss with their families to make better choices. “We encourage them to avoid negative influences and stay away from drugs that could destroy their lives, among other things,” she adds. “A safe path toward community resilience,” reads the posters displayed during psychosocial support sessions for parents, youth, and adolescents.

UNICEF and its implementing partner, the NGO Nouveaux Horizons (NOHO), organize these awareness sessions as part of Component 3 of the PAFEEM project, initiated by the Government of Mali and funded by the World Bank. The aim is to provide psychosocial support to young people and adolescents affected by the humanitarian and security crisis in the northern and central regions.

“Psychosocial activities are primarily directed toward adolescents and youth, as well as parents and community members. Under the PAFEEM framework, nearly 60 group or individual psychosocial support sessions have been organized across various municipalities in the Gao and Kidal regions. These sessions have benefited over 1,750 young people, including nearly 900 adolescent girls,” explains Boulkassoum Cissé, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF’s Gao office.

Thanks to a pool of trained psychosocial assistants in the Gao region, UNICEF conducts these awareness sessions in partnership with NOHO under Component 3 of the PAFEEM project.

Several young people take part in different aspects of PAFEEM. Abdrahamane and Agaïchatou have both benefited from the income-generating activities (IGA) component. While Abdrahamane focuses on making furniture in his Château neighborhood in Gao, Agaïchatou runs her restaurant in Bagoundjé. What unites them is their participation in psychosocial support sessions. Each is striving and progressing in their own way, thanks to PAFEEM’s support.

Since 2012, Mali has been experiencing a political and security crisis whose effects continue to weigh on the country’s economy and could ultimately hinder the implementation of public policies. In response, the Government launched several initiatives, including the Project for the Promotion of Access to Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Employment in Mali (PAFEEM). The project aims to support national efforts to address challenges related to financial inclusion, funding for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), and job creation.

This objective aligns perfectly with the National Strategy for Emergence and Sustainable Development (SNEDD 2024–2033), which implements the vision “Mali Kura ɲɛtaasira ka bɛn san 2063 ma,” in accordance with its third pillar: “Structural transformation of the economy and growth.” PAFEEM’s activities are structured around five components, including Component 3: Support for Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) and job creation, implemented with operational support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).