Photo © RET Germany

Article by RET Global Communications

MARADI, NIGER – In development and humanitarian contexts, technical skills alone are not enough. A young person may learn a trade. A farmer may improve production. But without confidence, decision-making ability, or the capacity to manage challenges, these gains often remain fragile.

It is in this gap that life skills become essential.

As part of the CIGABA project, 16 field agents took part in a three-day Training of Trainers on Life Skills, designed to strengthen their ability to support communities beyond technical assistance. The objective was clear: equip them not only to understand these competencies, but to effectively transmit them to the people they serve.

Photo © RET Germany

Building Skills That Last

Through a participatory and practical approach, the training focused on core competencies that shape how individuals navigate everyday challenges:

• Communication and interpersonal relationships
• Self-confidence and personal leadership
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Emotional and stress management
• Conflict resolution and social cohesion
• Active listening and beneficiary support
• Facilitation techniques adapted to local realities
• Future planning and pathways toward autonomy

Rather than theoretical learning, the sessions encouraged exchange, reflection, and real-life application—ensuring that agents are prepared to deliver these skills in ways that resonate with their communities.

From Training to Transformation

The impact of this initiative extends far beyond the training room.

These trained agents will go on to support 1,540 direct beneficiaries, including:

• 520 youth engaged in vocational training
• 1,020 individuals involved in agricultural activities

By integrating life skills into these pathways, the project aims to ensure that beneficiaries are not only technically equipped, but also empowered to make informed decisions, adapt to challenges, and sustain their progress over time.

A Foundation for Long-Term Impact

Life skills are often invisible, but their impact is tangible.

They shape how individuals seize opportunities, manage setbacks, and build relationships within their communities. They are the difference between short-term support and lasting change.

At RET, this approach reflects a clear conviction: sustainable development is not only about what people do, but how they think, decide, and engage with the world around them.

By strengthening these human capacities, the CIGABA project is laying the groundwork for more resilient, confident, and self-reliant communities in Maradi.

This project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is implemented in partnership with ASB, KARKARA, and AB2M

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