Project history
The HAWA V programme builds on more than a decade of continuous cooperation and learning experience in West Africa. It builds upon the “pilot phase” (September 2013 – January 2016) and project phase II (February 2016 – December 2018), project phase III (March 2019 – December 2021) and project phase IV (2022 – 2024) which established a good basis for effective cooperation between the ACP and KAIPTC. HAWA is established as a regionally recognised programme at the interface of humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and security.
The HAWA project is part of a long-term commitment to peace and security in West Africa following the 3C approach. Fragile situations require a coordinated, complementary, and coherent approach by all actors. The 3C approach involves coordinated action by state institutions, and non-governmental organizations from the fields of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and security in line with the HDP nexus – especially in fragile contexts where isolated measures are insufficient.
In terms of content, HAWA V is based on key international and regional policy documents, including the Regional Approach of Austrian Development Cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa 2020–2030, the Three-Year Programme of Austrian Development Cooperation 2025–2027 and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. At the regional level, the programme is closely aligned with the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF), the ECOWAS Regional Climate Strategy and the ECOWAS Policy for Disaster Risk Reduction.
HAWA IV – Brief overview
HAWA IV focused on qualifying training courses at the KAIPTC, promoting regional networking and strengthening disaster management structures in the West African countries of Senegal, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Particular emphasis was placed on promoting the career development of women in humanitarian aid and on research and consulting on gender-equitable access. The experience and networks gained in HAWA IV form an essential basis for the further development of HAWA V.
Gender Equality
Applying an OECD DAC Gender Equality Policy Marker 1, the whole project is gender mainstreamed, central components of the project expressly focus on a transformative approach towards gender equality and the intersections of gender and other social categories as age, ethnicity, and origin. Approaches to the agenda on women, peace and security form an important basis for the content of HAWA training courses.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
At the international level, HAWA V is guided by global frameworks that promote inclusive, climate-resilient and gender-sensitive crisis management and peacebuilding. The programme is clearly committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the principle of "leaving no one behind", systematically taking into account the interdependencies between the Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition to its contributions to SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), HAWA V also promotes SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals). This is achieved by strengthening local resilience, promoting inclusive governance structures, integrating climate protection into planning processes and establishing cross-sector partnerships.
