What If Democracy Found Its Meaning on a Village Vision Board?
In Guinea-Bissau’s Bafatá region, communities paint their shared visions of wellbeing—turning dialogue and collective action into everyday democracy.
Community partners lead project launch in Guinea-Bissau with Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development
The FRSD is a programme that seeks to strengthen the ECOWAS member states to preemptively react to crises, implement sustainability measures, and improve people’s resilience. This Project is commissioned and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ and KFW.
Peace and Security project in The Gambia: Mamadou’s Story
Since May 2018, Tostan has been implementing the Peace and Security Project in 40 communities in the border zone covering The Gambia, southern Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. These 40 communities have […]
Working Towards Collective Well-Being: A 13-Year Journey with the Community of Maradou
In the Malinke language, the word ‘maradou’ literally means “welcoming land” or “the place where we feel protected and safe”. In the 16th century, a hunter named Massia Sidi was […]
Bridging Local Law with Regional Peace and Security Efforts
Human rights, like the law, exist to serve the people. While the law and grassroots human rights efforts are not always perfectly in sync, Tostan’s Peace and Security Project is […]
Women of West Africa: Finding the Courage to Lead
In the 2014 local elections in a conservative region of eastern Senegal, 63 Tostan program participants were elected as Rural Councilors for that region. 41 of them were women. This […]
Millions of Guinean Voters Participate in a Historic Election
On October 11, 2015, Guineans across the country gathered their voting cards and made the trek to the nearest polling booth to participate in the country’s second-ever free presidential election. […]
Concluding the Year on a High Note: Communities Share Knowledge on Peace and Security and Gender-Based Violence
On the final day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, on December 10th 2014, 39 communities from the regions of Kolda, Ziguinchor and Sedhiou, who […]
An All Girls Football Game to Entertain—and Fundraise for Tostan!
Tostan supporters play an integral role in building momentum for our community-led development programs. Our Outstanding Supporter Blog Series highlights their creative efforts to inspire support for Tostan in their communities. With […]
Photo Blog: Community leaders share the social impacts of the Community Empowerment Program (CEP)
The community of Hamdallaye Diega in the Kolda region of Senegal participated in Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) from 2008 to 2011. After completing the program, they welcomed the Reinforcement […]