Technologies for the Artisanal Sector in Mali

The purpose of this project is to increase citizen'’s participation in democratic processes especially women artisans. The initiative is aimed at increasing women’s participation in the Fédération nationale des artisans du Mali [Mali’s national federation of artisans] (FNAM) a unionized socio-professional organization that defends the rights of artisans with public authorities and helps artisans to develop their businesses. Using an electronic and cellphone portal the initiative focuses on the following three areas: (1) improve the fluidity of data collection and of consultation/collaboration processes at the local regional and central levels; (2) develop a culture of networking information and communication; (3) improve the production of information/recommendations monitoring/evaluation and the advocacy strategy for public institutions and stakeholders in the artisan sector. The project’s activities include the following: (1) implementing a mechanism to consult artisan members of the FNAM especially women and marginalized groups; (2) developing a governance model within the FNAM and its regional and local divisions; (3) creating a program to provide members and partners with a portal and mobile telephone services for FNAM members and partners; (4) implementing communication methods including a portal and mobile telephone services to promote networking and information sharing within Mali’s artisan sector; (5) adapting a technology platform for monitoring and evaluation; (6) developing an advocacy unit to improve public services for workers in the artisan sector.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced equitable and inclusive participation in democratic decision-making processes especially by women and marginalized groups through the use of technology; (2) increased use of technology by people especially women and marginalized groups to hold their governments to account; and (3) increased responsiveness of public institutions to the diverse needs and rights of people especially women and marginalized groups through the use of technology.