Mali Peacebuilding, Stabilization, and Reconciliation Quarterly Report III FY2020

The program is implemented by Creative Associates International, in partnership with local organizations Association Malienne pour la Survie au Sahel (AMSS) and Think Peace. The program's purpose is to improve prospects for long-term peace, security, and reconciliation by building trust between conflict-affected communities and their governments. Program activities are being implemented in 46 conflict-affected communes in the center and northern Mali, covering seven regions: Ségou, Mopti, Tombouctou, Gao, Kidal, Menaka, and Taoudenit. The goal of Mali PSR is to see measurable improvement in the efficiency, effectiveness, and capacities of local communities to be more resilient to conflict and violent extremism. Fostering stability in target regions is a necessary pre-condition for the full and complete implementation of the peace agreement and regional development plans. During the reporting period, Mali PSR submitted two proposals: a rapid response proposal aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and a Crisis Modifier to address the first and second-order effects of the pandemic. With the approval of the Crisis Modifier, Mali PSR expanded programming to address the impact of COVID-19 and associated second-order effects in the 46 intervention communes, Bamako, and the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, and Sikasso in the south of the country. Key achievements realized under the year 2 work plan during the quarter included the continuation of conflict prevention, mediation training for 143 participants, including 27 women and 23 youth in five communes. Forums on reintegration and reconciliation were held in ten communes, bringing together over 338 youth leaders, community representatives, and government officials. Capacity building was provided for 50 participants to promote the rights of youth and expand their agency. Teachers trained in Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) participated in facilitated discussions to share their experience in addressing violent extremism in five communes. Mali PSR continued to foster strong partnerships with the Regional Development Agencies (ADRs) in an effort to support citizen participation in the Programme de Developpement Economique, Social et Culturel (PDESC) development process. The program also began exploring alternative approaches for reaching larger numbers of youth in a more sustainable manner. Under the COVID-19 rapid response plan, Mali PSR completed several initiatives with local officials to rapidly respond to community needs aimed at increasing the legitimacy of elected commune officials. The program donated approximately 174 handwashing stations to 36 communes, which filled a critical gap towards helping communities mitigate the virus. A communications campaign was launched in April: Understand to Withstand COVID-19, which included peer-to-peer messaging and innovative ways to engage youth and women through E-grins and E-tontines. Mali PSR also launched the Crisis Modifier with the following activities: a preliminary desk-review mapping of USAID Democracy and Governance implementing partners and their local grantees. Mali PSR's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and associated second-order effects have been multifaceted, involving the expansion of programming, the launch of a communications campaign, and the donation of handwashing stations to communities in need. The program's commitment to building trust between conflict-affected communities and their governments, strengthening community capacities, and promoting the rights of youth and women is critical to achieving long-term peace, security, and reconciliation in Mali.