The Sahel Regional Action Plan (RAP), adopted in 2015, has taken the implementation of the EU Sahel Strategy to the next steps. It identifies actions and initiatives for years to come, in coordination with Member States' activities, and constitutes a framework for EU's action in the Sahel region. The four key priorities are: 1) Preventing and countering radicalisation, 2) Creating appropriate conditions for Youth, 3) Migration and mobility, 4) Border management, fight against illicit trafficking and transnational organised crime. 

The Action Plan is implemented with the full ownership and under the primary responsibility of the countries concerned, and in coordination with key international and regional organisations. It will combine the contribution by EU activities, instruments and resources with those of the EU Member States 

The EU's comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel includes three CSDP actions: EUCAP Sahel Niger, EUCAP Sahel Mali and the EU training mission in Mali (EUTM). 

The EU launched a civilian CSDP mission, EUCAP SAHEL Niger, in 2012 with the objective to support the country in fighting terrorism and organised crime. EUCAP Sahel Niger provides advice and training to support the Nigerien security institutions (Police, Gendarmerie, National Guard) in strengthening their capacities to combat terrorism and organised crime, in line with the EU Strategy for Security and Development. The mission promotes the interoperability of Nigerien security forces, helps develop criminal investigation capacities, facilitate coordination in the fight against terrorism and organised crime and improve the sustainability of the security forces. 

In January 2015, the Council launched EUCAP Sahel Mali, a civilian CSDP  mission in Mali. The   mission's task is to support the Malian internal security forces in ensuring constitutional and democratic order, putting in place the conditions for lasting peace as well as maintaining State authority throughout the entire territory. The mission advises and trains the three internal security forces in Mali, i.e. the police, Gendarmerie and Garde Nationale, and coordinates with international partners. The current mandate of the mission runs  until 15 January 2017. 

At the request of Mali and in line with relevant international decisions including UNSC Resolution 2085 (2012), the EU launched an EU military Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) in 2013. Its mandate currently runs, after a strategic review held in February 2016, until May 2018. 

The mission supports the rebuilding of the Malian armed forces and to meet their operational needs by providing expertise and advice, in particular as regards command and control, logistical chains, human resources and international humanitarian law; it also helps training combat units. The mission is not involved in combat operations. It also contributes, upon Malian request and in coordination with MINUSMA, to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration process framed by Peace Agreement, through the provision of training sessions in order to facilitate the reconstitution of inclusive Malian Armed Forces. The Mission finally provides support to the G5 Sahel process within the activities of EUTM Mali in support of the MAF, by contributing to enhancing coordination and interoperability with G5 Sahel national armed forces. 

The EU already has a close and substantial cooperation with each of the five Sahel countries, evolving around the National Indicative Programmes, the Regional Indicative Programmes, humanitarian assistance, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and three CSDP missions. Resources available and pledged for the five Sahel countries by the EU and its Member States amount to approximately EUR 8 billion. 

The EU is also now supporting countries in the Sahel via the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.