Project Overview

MGF supported Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the preparation of the fourth phase of the KfW-funded Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Basin (STaR IV) program, a €13 million initiative aimed at strengthening livelihoods, economic and social infrastructure, social cohesion, and local governance across conflict-affected communities in Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. 

MGF led gender equality and social inclusion, target group and project-affected people, and climate vulnerability and resilience analyses to inform the program’s design. The assessments examined the socioeconomic and environmental vulnerabilities, needs, and capacities of displaced populations, returnees, and host communities, translating findings into recommendations for more inclusive, climate-resilient, and conflict-sensitive interventions. 

Our Work

• Target Group and Vulnerability Analysis. Assessed the characteristics, needs, capacities, and vulnerabilities of refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities, identifying priorities for equitable targeting, meaningful participation, and locally responsive project design. 
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). Led GESI analyses assessing barriers to women’s economic participation, access to resources, leadership, and decision-making. Developed gender-responsive project design recommendations, indicators, and monitoring approaches to strengthen women’s empowerment and equitable outcomes across livelihoods, climate resilience, governance, and peacebuilding interventions. 
• Climate Vulnerability Assessment. Analyzed climate-related hazards and vulnerabilities affecting communities, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the Lake Chad Basin, identifying opportunities to integrate climate adaptation and resilience into program activities. 
• Conflict-Sensitive Project Design. Developed recommendations to strengthen community ownership, address the immediate and long-term needs of displaced populations, mitigate risks of exacerbating local tensions, and reinforce social cohesion through inclusive and context-sensitive programming.