objective
The purpose of USAID’s new Governance and Communications program is to empower Malians to play an important role in a decentralized system of democratic governance at the local level.
The program works with all key actors—the state, civil society and the private sector— in a partnership to find solutions to local development issues. The program promotes the participation of various groups in the democratic process, and creates viable links among them. It also provides local communities with the skills to administer their own financial systems; develops policies that support the success of decentralized government; and increase women’s role in decision making.
The Team also includes activities to make it easier for Malians to get access to information that will enable them to improve the quality of their lives. This is done by supporting Mali’s thriving community FM radio sector and community telecenters. These technologies are used to disseminate development-related messages, and programming to prevent and mitigate conflict.
The program produces multi-media content that will directly benefit students, teachers, entrepreneurs, farmers, families, health workers and government employees (especially those outside of the capital city). The program also provides community selected radio stations with Internet access, thereby making information from the worldwide web available to the vast listening audience in Mali.
GovCom Projects
Success Story: Bridging the Communications Gap in Northern Mali
Last Updated: Monday April 14 2008