Strengthening Local Peacebuilding Organizations in Mali

The project aims to increase the sense of security and social cohesion amongst communities by helping local civil society organizations (CSOs) better manage and coordinate their peacebuilding activities. It focuses on local CSOs including organizations led by women and women’s organizations across the regions of Mali (except Kidal). Project activities include: (1) research and mapping of existing CSOs; (2) organization of five in-country practitioner workshops bringing together CSOs to promote collaboration and shared learning; (3) support for capacity building and related advocacy at local national and international levels for 20 CSOs; and (4) provision of small grants to 20 CSOs for peacebuilding activities. The project is implemented by Peace Direct.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access among national and international stakeholders to information about local civil society and women-led organizations that have previously not been included; (2) increased understanding among national and international stake-holders on the importance of supporting and coordinating with local civil society and women-led organizations; (3) improved capacity of local civil society and women-led organizations to conduct context analysis and integrate conflict sensitivity in their activities; (4) improved capacity of local civil society and women-led organizations to collaborate and coordinate peacebuilding efforts; (5) increased technical and financial capacity of local civil society and women-led organizations to design and implement peacebuilding activities; and (6) increased capacity of local civil society and women-led organizations to design and implement advocacy activities to local and national authorities.