USAID Mali Civic Engagement Program (CEP) – Y2 Q2 Quarterly Performance Report

The program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with a budget of $12 million, focuses on achieving three main objectives: strengthened mechanisms of bottom-up social accountability, improved collaboration among civil society organizations (CSOs), the Government of Mali (GoM), and the private sector, and increased citizen understanding of rights and responsibilities to engage with the GoM. CEP is a component of other USAID-funded programs in Mali, including the Sub-National Governance Project (SNGP), the Mali Justice Program (MJP), and the Participatory Peace Processes (3P) program. The program supports the consolidation of civic engagement and democratic processes in Mali, bringing citizens closer to their officials and reducing institutional weaknesses that have contributed to the country's fragility. During the second quarter of the second year of implementation, CEP made significant progress towards achieving its objectives. Thirteen grantees launched their field activities in 58 target communes in the regions of Kayes, Sikasso, Segou, Mopti, and Tombouctou, as well as in Bamako District. The program also facilitated the Organizational Development Assessment (ODA) tools with 11 newly approved CSOs grantees and three shortlisted Disabled Persons' Organizations (DPOs). CEP provided training to CSOs/grantees staff, government technical services, and private sector and media representatives on conflict management and conflict sensitivity for CEP activities. The program also updated its training curriculum and implemented training sessions for 13 newly approved grantees/CSOs on grants management, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (ME&L), and communication. In addition, CEP implemented phases 2 and 3 of the Good Governance Barometer (GGB) methodology in a test commune (Dandoli). The program also provided mentoring and coaching to CSOs to support their capacity building and ensure successful partnership with CEP. The implementation of CEP's activities has led to significant progress in achieving its objectives. The program has strengthened mechanisms of bottom-up social accountability, improved collaboration among CSOs, the GoM, and the private sector, and increased citizen understanding of rights and responsibilities to engage with the GoM. CEP's activities have also contributed to the consolidation of civic engagement and democratic processes in Mali, bringing citizens closer to their officials and reducing institutional weaknesses that have contributed to the country's fragility. CEP's progress has been made possible through the support of its implementing partners, including Family Health International (FHI 360), the Groupe d'Animation, Action, au Sahel Mali (GAAS-Mali), and other organizations. The program's success has also been facilitated by the collaboration with the GoM, CSOs, and the private sector, which has enabled CEP to achieve its objectives and contribute to the development of Mali. The implementation of CEP's activities has also led to the development of new tools and methodologies, including the Organizational Development Assessment (ODA) tools and the Good Governance Barometer (GGB) methodology. These tools have been designed to support the capacity building of CSOs and the implementation of CEP's activities, and have been tested and refined through the program's implementation. Overall, CEP's progress has been significant, and the program continues to make a positive impact in Mali. The program's success has been facilitated by the support of its implementing partners, the collaboration with the GoM, CSOs, and the private sector, and the development of new tools and methodologies.