Support of Natural Resources Governance and Peacebuilding in Mali

This project with Alert International focuses on peacebuilding and aims to improve natural resources governance to restore social cohesion by promoting local conflict resolution initiatives in the Koulikoro Mopti Ségou Sikasso and Tombouctou regions of Mali. The initiative is based on the principle that building capacities coupled with facilitation and enhancing communities’ understanding of statutory instruments primarily the legal framework for land governance is critical and will inevitably help improve the target communities’ resilience to climate and environmental shocks with a view to efficient natural resources governance. Project activities include: (1) providing communities with guidance on identifying developing and implementing local peace initiatives focused on natural resources governance; (2) ensuring broad awareness of land statutes and regulations in Mali; (3) providing support to build the capacities of community forums and village/commune land commissions regarding the provisions of the land code conflict analysis gender sensitivity and conflict sensitivity advocacy and how the effects of climate change make conflicts worse; and (4) organizing a national forum to capitalize on best practices in land governance and natural resources management. These activities will bring together representatives of commune village and local land commissions legal authorities and court officers and state technical services.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) natural resources are governed better to restore social cohesion and ensure gender integration by promoting local conflict resolution initiatives in the regions of Mopti Koulikoro Ségou Sikasso and Tombouctou; (2) community members including various women’s groups receive support to understand statutory instruments and the legal framework for land governance and there is a stronger link between natural resources management and conflicts; (3) social juniors (young people and women) are better integrated into natural resources governance structures and into the dynamics of building trust peace and social cohesion in communities; (4) there is improved resilience and local coordination between communities and natural resources governance structures including various women’s groups; and (5) the technical capacities of institutional players (including land commissions) are enhanced resulting in better land governance to prevent and resolve conflicts and tensions related to natural resources development all while integrating the gender dimension.