Successful validation workshop for community profiles using the TREE approach in M’Batto and Grand Zatry

Yamoussoukro, July 5, 2024 – A four-day workshop aimed at validating community profiles in M’Batto and Grand Zatry concluded successfully today. Held from July 2 to 5, 2024, in Yamoussoukro, the event marked a significant advancement in the implementation of the Training for Rural Economic Empowerment (TREE) methodology under the ACCEL Africa project. These profiles describe what is available in the community in terms of human, natural, material and immaterial resources, skills, raw materials and ongoing projects, to understand the context in which households and local institutions work and evolve. The aim is to increase the capacity of communities to make effective use of their inputs, knowledge and skills in their living and working environment, by equipping them with complementary skills and other forms of support needed to increase their income and thus improve their living conditions.

The workshop's main goal was to validate the community profiles of M’Batto and Grand Zatry. Participants focused on ensuring the accuracy of these profiles, refining and confirming lists of promising occupations in key sectors, and approving the terms of reference and roadmaps for the local TREE committees.

The workshop brought together 36 participants, including TREE trainers, government agency representatives, municipal and regional council members, artisans, private sector actors, local partners, and NGOs. Special emphasis was placed on including youth, people with disabilities, and women.

© ILO Abidjan

Despite significant progress in Côte d’Ivoire, such as reducing the national child labour rate from 31% in 2016 to 22% in 2021, challenges remain. The complete elimination of child labour requires innovative, coordinated, and sustained investments, along with strengthened partnerships between the government, development partners, and the private sector. To address these challenges, the ACCEL project adopted the ILO's TREE methodology following its successful introduction by the ENACTE program in 2023. This methodology empowers rural communities by enhancing their ability to use their knowledge and skills effectively, acquiring additional competencies, and providing necessary support to increase income and productivity. It also promotes collective action and autonomous development, crucial for the long-term eradication of child labour.

In May 2024, 22 TREE trainers were trained and subsequently developed community profiles for M’Batto and Grand Zatry. These profiles are crucial for understanding the local context, identifying available skills and resources, and analysing issues related to gender, youth, disability, and diversity. They also help determine which local institutions are vital for household livelihood strategies. Building on this foundation, the workshop achieved several key outcomes: community profiles were validated with consensus from local stakeholders, lists of promising occupations were refined and confirmed, and terms of reference and roadmaps for the local TREE committees were validated.

Ahead of the workshops, community profiles were shared with participants in each locality. Stakeholders prepared their contributions based on the provided information and data. During the workshop, participants engaged in group discussions to review, confirm, and update the community profiles. They prioritized key sectors and occupations using TREE approach tools, including data collection and analysis on local economies and labour markets, participatory research on economic opportunities and training needs, and feasibility studies. This collaborative effort was a crucial step towards the successful implementation of the TREE approach in M’Batto and Grand Zatry. By addressing the root causes of child labour and empowering communities, the ACCEL Africa project continues to make significant strides in eliminating child labour in these regions. The next steps are to finalize the profiles, set up the TREE committees, organize vocational trainings and provide post-training supports. Specific discussions on youth employment allowed to agree on the jobs and trainings suited to their context and abilities. This will enable the project to move forward in this area.

ACCEL Africa's overarching goal is to accelerate the elimination of child labour in Africa by targeting specific supply chains. This innovative approach addresses the systemic roots of child labour, strengthening existing frameworks essential for tackling this issue. In Côte d’Ivoire, the project focuses on eradicating child labour in the cocoa and gold supply chains, aligning with the National Action Plan (PAN) 2019-2021 against trafficking, exploitation, and child labour.