Promoting entrepreneurship and youth employment in humanitarian crisis areas.
Hama, Oumou, and Mbarka have boosted their economic activities with the support of the PAFFEM project.

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Hama Djoubalo sits in the courtyard of his family home in the village of Toya, located 10 kilometers from the mysterious city Timbuktu, tending to his small flock of sheep. Lost in thought, he embarks on a journey through time, recounting the accident he experienced in 2012.
"I am one of the children affected by an explosive device incident. I was just 14 years old when I picked up a grenade that cost me my right arm and leg," Hama shares. "As you can see, I have one hand and one foot. What you see are merely prosthetics," he adds with a smile and a sense of humor, demonstrating how well he has adapted to his disability.
At the age of 26, Hama is receiving support for his livestock rearing activities through the Promotion of Access to Financing, Entrepreneurship, and Employment in Mali (PAFEEM) Project. This initiative, launched by the Government of Mali and funded by the World Bank, is being implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Malian Association for Survival in the Sahel (AMSS), an NGO, in Timbuktu and Taoudenni Regions.
The project consists of two main components. The first focuses on income-generating activities, aimed at creating or strengthening small, self-employment initiatives and developing business plans to enhance the livelihood of young people and women, as well as their families. These income generating activities are particularly vital during the lean season and in response to various socio-economic shocks, both at the individual and community levels. The second component involves Labor-Intensive Public Works (LIPW), which provide direct income support to youth and women living in poverty and vulnerability in Timbuktu, Taoudenni, Gao, Kidal, Mopti, Bandiagara, and Douentza through their participation in the programme. This approach enables vulnerable workers to earn short-term income while also contributing to the restoration of essential community infrastructure and enhancing the resilience of communities, especially in areas affected by conflict and the impacts of climate change.
“I received the sum of 235,000 FCFA (US$400) which allowed me to buy sheep. I feed them and resell them once they can bring me more money. I reinvest the capital and cover my needs with the profit. Thanks to this activity, I am independent,” explains Hama.
“I received the sum of 235,000 FCFA (US$400) which allowed me to buy sheep. I feed them and resell them once they can bring me more money. I reinvest the capital and cover my needs with the profit. Thanks to this activity, I am independent”.

In the same village, Oumou also benefited from PAFEEM support. “I received 235,000 FCFA (US$400) from the project, and I started trading rice. With this money, I bought rice that I resell and thanks to God, I made a profit. This money is very useful for my family and me,” rejoices Oumou, aged 17.

In line with other countries in the sub-region, over half of Mali's population is under the age of 25. The scarcity of job opportunities serves as a fertile ground for recruitment by non-state armed groups and contributes to illegal immigration. The frustration stemming from a lack of prospects can lead many young individuals to consider such highly risky options.
In response to this situation, the Government, with the technical and financial support of the World Bank, has developed the PAFEEM Project. PAFEEM’s Component three, implemented by UNICEF and its partners, primarily targets women and youth, reaching a total of 23,600 individuals (12,600 for income-generating activities and 11,000 for labor-intensive public works) across 31 municipalities in Timbuktu, Taoudenni, Gao, Kidal, Mopti, Bandiagara, and Douentza.
The programme meets an important need according to the Governor of the Timbuktu region, Mr. Bakoun Kanté. "This year, we received more abundant rains, an unusual phenomenon for Timbuktu, but this project allowed us to clean the gutters, facilitating the rainwater drainage and avoiding families being flooded," said the Governor.
"I also thank the authorities and implementing partners who had the idea and initiative to set up this project. It has truly contributed to helping the young people of the Timbuktu region. The project concerns the municipalities of Timbuktu, Diré and Sobounou, and we have carried out a launch appreciated by all," he concluded.


The Mayor of the urban community of Timbuktu expressed his thanks for the initiatives that have significantly benefitted the community by helping to alleviate youth unemployment. "Since the launch of this operation, the drainage channels have been cleaned, and the piles of waste that were once prevalent have been removed. Schools have also seen improvements thanks to the efforts of these young individuals, who have made the educational institutions much cleaner. Anyone who has experienced Timbuktu prior to these initiatives will quickly notice the enhancements in sanitation," stated Mr. Aboubacrine Cisse, the Mayor of Timbuktu. He also emphasized the importance of continuing these efforts to ensure a healthy living environment. "If we receive support, it is our responsibility to sustain these efforts moving forward. I would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the partners who have been involved," he added.

This project has received a positive response among the youth. MBarka Mohamed, one of the the young participants, shares how it has transformed her life. "We used to stay at home with nothing to do. Now, I can go to work every day. I feel useful to my community, and I take pride in seeing my region clean and well-maintained. Previously, I earned nothing, but today I feel like a civil servant, as I can expect a monthly income that helps me meet various needs," she explains. In addition to her paid activities as part of the Labour-Intensive Public Works, MBarka Mohamed has also been able to expand her local juice production business. "The money I earn from the PAFEEM project allows me to grow my juice production and increase my earnings each month. I am grateful to the partners for establishing such an initiative that helps reduce youth unemployment, like mine," she adds.

The project manager for PAFEEM at UNICEF in Timbuktu and Taoudenni, Boulher Arby, has stated that PAFEEM aims to establish Economic Interest Groups to facilitate access to funding for young individuals engaged in activities aimed at adapting to climate change. To date, PAFEEM has positively impacted 4,625 individuals across both regions, with 2,538 benefiting from income generating activities and 2,087 from Labour-Intensive Public Works. This programme commenced implementation in January 2024 and is set to continue until September 2025.