Niamey – This week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) along with its partner Street Art Sans Frontière, concluded a monthlong street art project in the cities of Niamey and Agadez in Niger, during which 15 participatory painting sessions were organized, attended by more than 1,000 people.

IOM’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa in Dakar is implementing this year various awareness-raising projects in the region with support from the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, which aim to introduce a human-centered approach to increase the social cohesion between migrants in transit, returnees and community members.

In both Niamey and Agadez, the artists worked alongside the migrants staying at IOM’s transit centers to decorate their temporary homes. Various ghettos and disadvantaged neighborhoods were also chosen seeing the lack of opportunities for participatory activities. Neighbors, local associations and schools also approached IOM during the implementation of the project, asking to be included.

“The project uses participatory public art as a way for migrants to give back to their host communities, while creating meaningful interactions in the process,” said Luca Putteman, IOM’s Regional Awareness Officer. “It’s also important for returned migrants to feel welcome and to be able to reintegrate properly in their communities.”

The involvement of the participants took place on a voluntary basis, within the limits of space and available material. Many bystanders were intrigued by the sudden artistic activities popping up in different corners of the city, and decided to engage, be it for a couple of brushstrokes or advice on the choice of colors.

“Art can be a very powerful tool for stimulating open-mindedness and creativity, especially for young people,” said Antoine, one founder of Street Art Sans Frontière, the international art collective experienced in managing social projects across Western Africa. “Since street art is free and doesn’t take place in institutions, it is accessible to everyone.”

To guarantee the sustainability of the project, a selected number of local artists, including XXX returnees, were trained by the team of international artists during the implementation phase. The goal is to equip them with the necessary skills and knowhow to continue the project in different locations within the country and the region, long after the project is over.

“I am very proud of what we accomplished today. Every time I will pass by this place, it will remind me of the good times we had here,” said 19-year-old Adama, a Niamey resident. “We realized today that we are all artists at heart and that, in fact, it doesn’t take much to create beautiful things.”

 “It’s nice to see the effect one afternoon can have on people,” said Donald, 24, a migrant in transit from Cameroon. “This may not be my city, but it’s a great opportunity to make it beautiful for others and to create friendships along the way. It motivates me to want to do better and to share what I have learned with my friends back home.”

All along the project, IOM’s community mobilizers or “MobComs” facilitated the participatory street art activities and engaged with the public. Seeing as they have already become regular friendly faces among community members and migrants in transit, the MobComs have access to a wide range of neighborhoods and ghettos.

“Through this workshop, the two cities have become more colorful and welcoming, improving the living environment of its residents,” said Barbara Rijks, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Niger. “We hope that the confidence the participants gained through these workshops will have an impact on other everyday actions. These may seem like small successes, but the personal satisfaction gained can further motivate them for life’s bigger challenges.”

For more information, please contact Monica Chiriac at IOM Niger at Tel: +227 8931 8764, Email: mchiriac@iom.int. and Florence Kim at IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa: Tel:+221786206213; email: fkim@iom.int