Music Crossroads International's project coordinator Ingrid Mengod is presently carrying out a Feasibility Study in 5 Western African countries to assess if and how Music Crossroads could contribute to enhance youth empowerment through music in the region. The purpose is to identify 3 countries for a pilot phase from 2011.

Ingrid is presently visiting Côte d'Ivoire, where she is kindly assisted by renowned bass player and performer Manou Gallo to meet formal and non-formal institutions working with music performance for young people, key personalities and potential committed partners, including music and life skills training - and of course also to speak to young musicians to identify how Music Crossroads could be of help in the training and promotion of young artists 15-25 years.

Ingrid will then continue to Mali, Ghana, Cabo Verde and Senegal - where she, with local assistance, will make a similar assessment. Based on her reports from each country and MC's ability to cater for the needs of young musicians and to contribute to the music sector of the country, MCI will then select 3 countries for a MC pilot starting in 2011. Countries chosen can be from the 5 countries visited - or other Western African nations.

The MC Feasibility Study in Western Africa is generously supported by the Spanish aid and cooperation agency AECID.