Burkina Faso's strategy for growth and sustainable development has its focus on the country’s main industry - agriculture, which is expected to increase productivity and contribute to export earnings.
Environment and Natural Resources
Almost all people in Burkina Faso are directly dependent on what nature provides. A short-term use of natural resources threatens the ability of future generations to a decent life.
In a country prone to severe drought, the management of the limited water resources is a constant key issue. The Sida-supported program PAGIRE is now developing the capacity of the country's overall planning and management of water in a sustainable and equitable way.
The program PN-AEPA has ensured that 58% of people in rural areas now have access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
Sweden also provides funding for rehabilitation and construction of rain water basins so that water can be stored between dry periods and used for cattle and agriculture. Twelve basins were prepared during 2010-12.
Sweden has helped the Ministry of Environment to develop a single program for the entire environment, including forestry. In addition, local forest management and small village enterprises based on forest products have developed through the support of the organization-TREE AID. Furthermore, the IUCN has developed a system for financial support through a climate fund for local actors’ climate adaptation.
Democracy and human rights
The country's democracy is still fragile but has made steady progress over the past decade, while the position of women has improved and the proportion of children in school has increased.
Budget support has until 2012 been used to streamline the civil service in order to improve services to citizens. We also support the voice of civil society in the political dialogue.
The civil society organizations that receive funding are Diakonia, the National Democratic Institute and CGD. In turn, Diakonia works with 27 national organizations. Also a fund from which organizations can apply for funding for gender equality projects are supported. The overall objective of support to civil society is to strengthen gender equality, human rights and democratic processes.
In addition, Sweden also support the Women's Ministry and the Ministry of Human Rights.
Research and statistics
In a project based on research cooperation 22 Burkinabés have finalized their doctoral thesis at Swedish universities, primarily in the natural resources field.
The Swedish Central Statistical Office, SCB , collaborates with its counterpart in Burkina Faso, INSD, in a project that strengthens INSD's ability to produce reliable statistics, the basis for planning and monitoring Burkina Faso's development efforts.
