Enhancing resilience and social cohesion: roads, soil conservation and inclusive livelihoods in peri-urban area of Bamako, Mali

Since 2012, Mali faces a crisis characterized by socio-political challenges and armed group attacks, leading to significant displacement of people and increased socio-humanitarian needs. The impacts of climate change, including drought, floods and resource scarcity, further exacerbate tensions between host communities and displaced groups, leading to increased competition for dwindling resources and heightened vulnerability among affected communities. This year-long project is designed in response to the increasingly pressing humanitarian situation in Mali. It aims to provide immediate income opportunities through employment and on-the-job training in road construction/maintenance to both women and men among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and members of the host communities (HCs) in the peri-urban surroundings of Bamako, Mali, where the number of IDPs are reported to have almost doubled between June and September 2024 including individuals displaced due to recent flooding. The project benefits 125 persons (35% women and 65% men) representing both IDPs and HCs, including youth, through employment and on-the-job training in labour intensive construction or maintenance work/road paving in peri-urban aera of Bamako, resulting in at least 300 meters of paved road and 10,000 workdays. Around 750 persons benefit from improved alimentation thanks to this project. Moreover, a total of 5,000 persons benefit from improved roads and thereby improved access to transport to essential services, including markets, health services and education. Additionally, a component of the project aims at sustained delivery of end demand for relevant skills, by working with existing local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutes and by introducing the relevant training curricula. While promoting the sustainable and gender-responsive development of relevant skills and enhanced employability of beneficiaries, the project is delivered in a manner that encourages greater participation and more prominent roles of women in the project, but also collaboration and mutual understanding between host communities and IDPs, thereby reducing tensions and promoting inclusive economic growth. By prioritizing women’s participation in the project and encouraging cross-communal engagement through activities where people from different communities work together, the project contributes to resilient and inclusive communities with improved economic and social stability.

Project symbol

MLI/24/01/JPN

Admin unit

CO-Abidjan

Start date

24/03/2025

End date

23/03/2026

Total allocation

495050

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

465254

Development Partners

Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Country/Countries

Mali

Outcomes

Output 9.5. Improved coherence in support and action to promote inclusive, peaceful, stable and resilient societies through decent work and social justice in contexts of crisis, post-crisis and fragility