Locally conceived and led initiatives are transforming communities. Whether they are moving communities from conflict to peace, supporting students, backing entrepreneurs or strengthening governance, these short films provide local perspectives to on-the-ground solutions to pressing issues. Explore their stories in these 12 videos from 2023.
Honduras: Kickboxing & Jiu Jitsu Build Self-Esteem, Protect Women from GBV
Women’s networks in Honduras are empowering people by enhancing their self-esteem, resilience and individual agency through kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu. The USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives program called CARI Honduras is supporting these classes in the Honduran communities of Chamelecon and Rivera Hernandez, as well as outreach to survivors, public policy advocacy and more.
Ethiopia: Using Art to Overcome Trauma
After two years of conflict concentrated primarily in northern Ethiopia, most students were traumatized, and many were reluctant to return to their classrooms. The USAID READ II Education Recovery Activity stepped in with psychological first aid and social-emotional learning interventions. The program worked with schools to use art and other techniques to support students.
This video won three Telly Awards.
Ethiopia: Trauma-Informed Education
Originally designed as an early grade reading program, USAID’s READ II Education Recovery Activity pivoted to provide education in conflict services to students, educators and families in three regions. It demonstrated how education can be a life sustaining tool in conflict affected communities by supporting about 500,000 children to return to learning and continue their education.
This video won two Telly Awards.
Mali: Artisans for Peace
Artisans for Peace is an initiative designed to teach youth traditional techniques that they can use to start small businesses. Funded by the USAID Peacebuilding, Stabilization and Reconciliation project, this activity is led by the nonprofit Aid to Artisans.
El Salvador: How Beauty Is Confronting a Beast
El Salvador has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence in Central America. The USAID CARI program works with an NGO in Santa Ana, El Salvador to counter gender-based violence by leveraging beauty salons to reach women with messages of empowerment, self-care and more.
Youth Supporting Youth in Guatemala
The USAID Tejiendo Paz (Peacebuilding) project works in the Western Highlands of Guatemala to support peace initiatives. Ana Cristina Toma, a social worker and student, discusses the factors in her community that influence irregular migration among youth and how family, education and societal efforts help young people remain in their home communities.
Benin: Wrestling for Peace in Malanville & Karimama
USAID/OTI’s Littorals Regional Initiative leverages popular wrestling competitions to reach youth with peace and social cohesion messages in northern Benin. Throughout the tournament, spectators heard from wrestlers and grantees explained the role of youth in encouraging peace and community resilience against violence.
Mali’s Online Sleuths: Preparing Citizens to Counter Aggressive Misinformation Campaigns
USAID’s Peacebuilding, Stabilization & Reconciliation program supports efforts to promote credible, reliable information in Mali. Working with established organizations, the program has trained hundreds of journalists, youth and citizen sleuths to better understand the origins of misinformation and how to fact check before sharing content.
Regional Challenges, Local Solutions
USAID’s Reacting to Early Warning and Response Data II (REWARD II) program provides grants to local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Benin, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Togo to help prevent and mitigate electoral violence and promote peace social cohesion.
A Win-Win for People and Environment
Burkina Faso: Co-Creation Workshops
The USAID-funded Inclusive Governance for Resilience supports initiatives that improve citizens and organizations to advocate for their needs and constructively communicate with officials, among other goals.
Building an Inclusive Economic Model
Traditional financial tools are often unavailable to Guatemalan women, indigenous people and rural area residents, forcing them to rely on remittances. The USAID Central America Regional Initiative is supporting Quiché, Guatemala to study remittances, financial inclusion and levels of economic development of women and young people who are family members of migrants.
