Enhancing resilience and social cohesion: roads, soil conservation and inclusive livelihoods in peri-urban area of Bamako, Mali

Since 2012, Mali faces a crisis characterized by socio-political challenges and armed group attacks, leading to significant displacement of people and increased socio-humanitarian needs. The impacts of climate change, including drought, floods and resource scarcity, further exacerbate tensions between host communities and displaced groups, leading to increased competition for dwindling resources and heightened vulnerability among affected communities.

This year-long project was designed in response to the increasingly pressing humanitarian situation in Mali. It aimed to provide immediate income opportunities through employment and on-the-job training in road construction/maintenance to both women and men among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and members of the host communities in the peri-urban surroundings of Bamako, Mali.

The project generated 5,764 workdays and employed 120 unskilled workers (32% women, 68% men) from IDPs and host communities through labour-intensive road works combined with technical training delivered by the Senou Vocational Training Centre and awareness sessions on occupational safety and health (OSH), conflict prevention and resolution, gender equality, and decent work principles.

A total of 350 meters of roads were paved and 135 meters reinforced using a Japanese STEIN soil-stabilization technology, benefiting approximately 5,000 indirect beneficiaries from surrounding communities.

To support long-erm resilience, institutional capacity was strengthened through training for local authorities, social partners, and local enterprises on EIIP approaches, labour standards, and technical supervision, enabling quality employment.

• Strengthened social cohesion and improved access to scarce resources and livelihood opportunities for women and youth of both host community and forcibly displaced households in targeted communities in Peri-urban aera of Bamako, Mali