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USAID/Mali 

Operational Plan 

FY 2006 

June 2, 2006 
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Please Note: 

The attached RESULTS INFORMATION is from the FY 2006 Operational Plan and was assembled 

and analyzed by the country or USAID operating unit identified on the cover page. 

The Operational Plan is a "pre-decisional" USAID document and does not reflect results stemming 

from formal USAID review(s) of this document. 

Related document information can be obtained from: 

USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse 

8403 Colesville Road, Suite 210 

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Telephone: (301) 562-0641 

Fax: (301) 588-7787 

Email: docorder@dec.cdie.org 

Internet: http://www.dec.org 

Portions released on or after July 1, 2006 
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Program Performance Summary FY 2005: Since holding its first democratic election in 1992, Mali has 

become one of the most enlightened democracies in all of Africa and for years has been rated “free” by 

Freedom House. In 2004, due largely to USAID assistance, women were significantly represented on the 

ballot for the first time in history and in the last two years the number of elected women leaders has 

increased by 200%. The press is free, and the number of radio stations, with USAID assistance, has 

grown over the past 13 years from three to 160, covering 85% of the population. Through USAID’s ongoing program supporting community learning centers, Malians are now deriving much of their news from 

the internet and disseminating useful information on health, HIV/AIDS prevention, civic news, and conflict 

resolution. While health and education statistics remain dire, the government has committed itself to 

turning this around by directing additional resources to the social sectors. 

Mali's economy is based on activities linked to agriculture (cotton, livestock, and cereals) and mining 

(gold), making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along with gold. 

About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and 

fishing. Less than 4% of Mali's land area is arable; its arid northern half is largely unproductive Saharan 

desert. Overall, the economy has been growing at a rate of about 5% annually for a number of years, in 

large part due to enlightened policies encouraged by USAID, such as the dismantling of large state 

enterprises starting years ago. Mali is now the leading cotton producer in Africa and has become 

essentially self-sufficient in food production. New rice varieties developed with USAID assistance have 

doubled yields enabling the country to begin exporting small amounts of rice and we are working with 

small entrepreneurs and the government to develop exports markets in new areas such as mangoes 

where exports have doubled. These successes are part of a concerted effort to diversify Mali’s economy, 

limit its vulnerabilities to shocks, and increase opportunities for private investors and private sector 

growth. Largely because of the tremendous strides the country has made toward ruling justly, promoting 

economic freedom and investing in its people, Mali was selected as a Millennium Challenge Account 

eligible country in 2004 and is close to signing an agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 

Challenges: Despite concerted donor attention and assistance provided over forty years, Mali remains 

one of the poorest nations on the face of the earth. According to the results of the 2005 United Nations 

Human Development Index, Mali ranked 174 out of 177 countries. Health conditions and the level of 

educational attainment remain very low - the average lifespan is just under 48 years, adult literacy is 

about 19%, only half of the school-aged population is enrolled in school, and approximately two-thirds of 

the people live on the equivalent of US$1 or less. Mali's chief development challenges are: a high 

population growth rate with a burgeoning population of children and youth that have only limited access to 

education and employment; the inadequate quality of health and education services, a majority of the 

population living below the poverty line; an insufficiently diversified economy that is vulnerable to price 

fluctuations and weather; a strong, but still vulnerable democracy. 

A significant challenge is that the U.S. government cannot risk the failure of Mali’s democracy in its 

Northern region. The effectively borderless expanse of the Sahara, acute poverty, and weak institutional 

capacity makes extremist interpretations of Islam particularly appealing to disenfranchised populations. 

While a 2005 International Crisis Group study found that while Mali is a “star pupil” of democratization, it 

also stated that Mali “runs the greatest risk of any West African country other than Nigeria of violent 

Islamist activity.” USAID has a role in addressing the underlying causes of terrorism that threaten stability 

in the North and Mali’s long-term development. 

Key Achievements: 

Democracy and Governance: USAID’s program builds the institutional capacity of 250 targeted local 

governments and promotes women’s participation in local political life in 24 targeted rural municipalities. 

With USAID support, the municipalities identified major governance issues and local development 

constraints and developed strategic plans to address those issues. Working closely with community 

organizations (COs), formal agreements were negotiated and signed between municipal authorities and 

CO partners in order to increase or improve services in education, health, potable water, and natural 

resources management. In the process of preparing the communal development plan and the municipal 

budget, municipalities increasingly consulted COs. The percentage of municipalities in which partnerships 

increased the delivery of public services more than doubled in one year, from 30% to 63% and those that 
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addressed development needs through joint action increased from 53% to 59%. The percentage of 

municipalities where specific activities are implemented to meet women’s needs increased from 41% in 

2004 to 50% in 2005. In half of the targeted municipalities communal authorities funded specific activities 

aimed at reducing the workload of rural women or improving their income so that they can, among other 

things, be more active in the political arena. 

Economic Growth: USAID programming in the areas of trade, production, finance, and policy 

development contributed to the expansion, deepening and increased competitiveness of the private 

sector in Mali. USAID interventions resulted in an increase of rice production to 1,420 metric tons 

(compared to 1,044 metric tons produced last year). Export of Malian mangoes set a new record, 

reaching 2,984 metric tons, 14% more than the previous year. The four cooperatives developing export 

capacity under the USAID project saw their combined potato exports increase from 10 metric tons in 2004 

to 374 metric tons in 2005. Twenty municipality level natural resources management plans have been 

developed under the direction of the USAID program and additional erosion control measures, and other 

improved natural resource management (NRM) techniques were implemented to protect the bas fond 

watersheds land areas covering 5,580 hectares. USAID’s action to promote multiple cropping seasons on 

land where water is fully controlled is positively impacting food security in Mali, including the northern 

regions. One hundred and forty-four small farmers adopted new technology to expand production of highvalue horticulture crops in the counter-season. In FY 2005, our program has provided training to 1,006 

women on a variety of topics incorporating new technology and techniques for improving agricultural 

productivity. In addition, USAID plays a significant role in the fully integrated donor/government group with 

oversight for the management of emergency food stock. 

Health: Six areas of intervention comprise the focus of the program: nutrition, diarrheal disease control, 

immunization, HIV prevention, family planning/maternal health, and malaria prevention and control. 

Commercial sales of insecticide treated net (ITN) increased from 38,313 in FY 2004 to more than 110,000 

in FY 2005. Vitamin A supplementation provided during the National Nutrition Week achieved 78% 

coverage of children 6-59 months of age. The Diptheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus dose 3 (DPT3) 

vaccination rate covered more than 90% of all children under 5 in USAID project areas. USAID activities 

supporting the National Family Planning Campaign included the training of 128 service providers, the 

provision of technical equipment to five Family Planning training sites, the development and broadcast of 

radio messages by 97 community radios. USAID also provided initial contraceptive commodities and 

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on family planning to more than 3,100 

community health volunteers and a family planning model was validated and disseminated to almost 400 

religious leaders. USAID continued to support voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services that 

served 2,318 men and 1,918 women, 10% of whom tested positively (5% and 15% respectively). An 

innovative mobile VCT strategy served almost 1,000 most at risk clients over a six month period and 

resulted in a 36% increase in client volume. 

Education: To improve the quality of basic education in Mali, USAID reinforced education system 

decentralization and the participation of civil society in education. USAID implemented a decentralized 

capacity development plan for 275 decentralized Ministry of Education (MOE) officials, and worked with 

NGOs, Parent Associations, and School Management Committees to create School Improvement Plans 

for 404 target schools (222 public, 3 private, 116 community, 63 medersa). These same schools 

benefited from teacher training using the MOE’s Communities of Learning approach, and from 100 adult 

literacy centers reaching 3,490 community members. USAID used African Education Initiative (AEI) 

resources to develop interactive radio instruction programs for students, teachers, and teacher 

supervisors, and to install Virtual Training Centers in four teacher training colleges. USAID supported the 

MOE in developing curricula for Grades 1-4, and supplied over 196,000 textbooks to medersas. USAID 

met or exceeded targets in the number of USAID-supported schools that have achieved pre-defined 

standards of “Quality” and “Effectiveness”. Program activities benefited over 4,500 primary school 

teachers and 187,000 students in FY 2005. To promote girls’ education, USAID provided 5,088 AEI 

scholarships to girl primary school students in the politically fragile Northern regions of Mali. As a result, 

girls’ attendance rates skyrocketed (90% in Kidal, 94% in Timbuktu, 98% in Gao), and girls’ pass rates 

into Grade 7 jumped an average of 19% per region. 
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Communications for Development: USAID’s program continues to make information available to Malians 

in a broad range of formats and on a variety of development topics. Twenty-five USAID-funded 

telecenters provided information to a potential audience of over 750,000 people and have generated 

sufficient revenue to cover all of their operating costs. Over 7,000 people throughout Mali’s eight regions 

were trained in how to use the internet, and internet access points are now available in most Malian cities 

and towns with a population of over 5,000 people. Wireless internet was introduced in 19 new sites. In 

eight locations, we have field tested new technologies and created linkages between the internet, radio 

stations, telecenters and other partners. Over 310 radio programs were broadcast on topics concerning 

health, child trafficking, education, democratic governance, microfinance and trade opportunities, sound 

environmental practices, women’s issues, and other topics. At least 255 radio producers were trained in 

the production of radio programs on development-related topics and at least 5% of Mali’s private radio 

stations now have access to the internet. Thirteen Community Learning and Information Centers (CLICs), 

where 50% of the staff are women, are increasing capacity and providing communications services and 

information to their communities. More than 21,000 people (21% of which are women) paid for CLIC 

services this year, generating approximately $44,000 in revenues. 

Global Development Alliances (GDA) and Partnerships: (1) FY 2005 was the first year of implementation 

of a Cooperative Agreement for a GDA with Design That Matters, Inc. and World Education for the 

development and testing of a new, highly publicized low-cost technology, the Kinkajou projector. The 

project combined $490,000 from USAID with a contribution of $875,000 from the partners to field test the 

use of solar-panel powered projectors to illuminate reading materials for night courses at community 

literacy centers. (2) A second GDA was established in 2003 in which USAID contributed $892,000 to the 

total cost of $1.8 million towards the initial establishment of sugar cane test growing nursery facility which 

was completed in late FY2004. The tests have been a resounding success; hence, USAID contributed an 

additional $500,000 in late 2005 to the expanding research stage of this project. Meanwhile, Schaffer and 

Associates International (SAIL) has worked closely with various private sector partners to build a sound 

alliance of private and public organizations. The alliance to date has committed nearly $2 million with a 

further $1 million planned for the extension/expansion and could potentially leverage investments and 

funding of over $200 million in completing the project. Schaffer is now on the verge of signing an MOU 

with a major South African partner sugar company, which was very impressed with the tests. With the 

support of the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Office du Niger and USAID, SAIL hopes 

to finalize the total funding package for the Markala Sugar Factory in 2006 -- $250 million/15,000 

hectares! (3) USAID launched a GDA with Moving Waters Industry purchasing and installing 

approximately 15 Solar Pedal Flows pumps this year. (4) USAID began a GDA with the Coca Cola 

Company creating additional options to bring water to underserved communities in Mali. Others include: a 

partnership with the West Africa Water Initiative, the government of Mali, Geekcorps, Helen Keller, and 

SchoolNet. 

 

Presidential Initiatives: USAID responded to two Presidential Initiatives in Mali in FY 2005 which included: 

1) the African Education Initiative, through pre-service and in-service teacher training by radio 

broadcasting and Virtual Training Centers, and the Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Program for the 

North of Mali; and 2) Initiative to End Hunger in Africa (IEHA) - implements the transfer of low and highlevel technologies. 

Gender: Gender issues in Mali have been identified and prioritized for all programs through a Gender 

Assessment in 2001 and the Mali Gender Assessment conducted by the World Bank in 2005. Our gender 

action plan was revised in October 2005 and all of USAID’s activities in Mali require gender analysis in 

the design phase that contextually defines gender dynamics and inequities, and shapes interventions to 

ensure that both men and women benefit across age, ethnicity, class, and religion. USAID has 

undertaken sector-specific, as well as cross-cutting interventions including: a curriculum designed to 

stress teaching methods that are geared toward increasing participation of girls in the classroom; teacher 

training that is more accessible to female teachers; the Ambassadors’ Girls’ Scholarship Program aimed 

at reversing low registration and attendance by girls in school; an aggressive and systematic gender 

mainstreaming process to ensure that men are actively involved in the delivery of high impact health 

services; the development of more equitable community action plans addressing women’s concerns; the 

increase of women’s access to training in the agriculture and finance sectors; the increase of women’s 
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access to information through radio; and sponsoring the participation of five women from government and 

civil society entities to contribute to the Beijing plus 10 review in New York. 

Mitigating HIV/AIDS: The HIV/AIDS infection rate remains below 2%, almost certainly due in part to the 

assistance of USAID, the leading bilateral donor in this critical area; however, certain high risk groups 

remain at a much higher infection rate. In Mali, vulnerability to HIV is associated with cultural factors 

including: male dominance of women, the early onset of sexual activity among women, and gender 

inequity with regard to access to financial resources. The use of radio to communicate HIV/AIDS 

information, improving education, increasing women’s access to financial resources, and increasing the 

political role of women at the community level all contribute to addressing HIV/AIDS in Mali. In addition, 

USAID trained nearly 700 religious leaders to advocate for HIV prevention and the acceptance of persons 

living with HIV/AIDS and provided technical assistance and training to 23 local NGOs and 580 peer 

educators who reached more than 600,000 people through behavior change communication messages 

and activities. Social marketing in project areas resulted in 90% of members of groups most at risk having 

access to condoms. At risk youth benefit from an initiative that reached over 6,000 youth with messages 

on the importance of abstinence and fidelity. 

Extractive Industries: Mining activities constitute the main extractive industries in Mali and at times, a 

source of instability. USAID is initiating an alliance among the five internationally known gold mining 

companies to address community development issues and avert conflict and will conduct a needs 

assessment and identify joint interventions. The World Bank seeks USAID’s support for the DFID 

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which would require gas, oil and mining companies to 

make public all industry payments to government and government to reveal all revenues received from 

mining companies. 

Anticorruption: USAID sponsored 6 professionals to participate in a short-term anti-corruption training in 

the United States. The participants set up a national chapter of the West African Organization for 

Democracy and Governance to promote good governance and fight against corruption. They conducted 

training sessions, public debates and information campaigns involving the government and civil society 

organizations. More than 40 local institutions were trained on anti-corruption strategies and a nationwide 

anti-corruption public awareness campaign was launched through national television and radio stations, 

and private radios and newspapers. 

North: Mali’s north has been a focal point of U.S. assistance to help stem the tide of religious extremism, 

conflict and cross-border influence from destabilizing factors in Algeria and Mauritania. Special 

consideration was given to support primary schools in Mali’s northern region. Working with religious 

leadership from the regions of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal, USAID assisted over 200 medersas through the 

distribution of textbooks, the Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Program, and USAID’s Communities of 

Learning approach to teacher training. USAID used the Communities of Learning approach to reinforce 

the quality of instruction in 37 Northern primary schools; in FY 2006 the number will increase to 75. Thirtyfive health centers and a total of 60 health zones received technical assistance from USAID and the 

innovative “Reach Every District” approach was implemented in two districts to improve immunization 

service coverage to isolated and hard to reach populations. ITN distribution was expanded to the entire 

Kidal region to ensure protection against malaria during the rainy season. USAID is also using radio to 

mitigate some of the factors that lead to conflict in the North of Mali, installing 10 new FM radio stations in 

the Northern regions of Mali and conducting eight training sessions in radio communication techniques, 

radio ethics, gender sensitivity, management, and equipment maintenance for 92 radio staff and 

management committee members (including 59 women). 
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FY 2006 Program 

SO: 688-006 High Impact Health Services 

Improve Child Survival, Health & Nutrition 

Improve Child Survival, Health and Nutrition ($1,836,000 CSH): USAID will focus on malnutrition, 

diarrheal disease and local health capacity building to reduce infant mortality. USAID will provide 

technical assistance and commodities to a national Vitamin A distribution program that reaches more than 

2.7 million children. USAID will also diffuse more than 23,000 diarrhea prevention and treatment radio 

messages; promote proper hygiene practices in more than 200,000 households; and assist the Ministry of 

Health (MOH) to transition from traditional formula oral rehydration salts (ORS) to low osmolarity ORS. 

USAID will strengthen health systems serving 30% of the population by improving services in over 225 

health facilities, increasing outreach and improving household health behaviors. Local non-governmental 

organizations (NGOs) will receive training and will supervise 4,500 community health volunteers in the 

promotion of healthy household practices. USAID will also provide technical assistance management of 

municipal health services to local health committees and municipal councils. The Demographic and 

Health Survey (DHS) will occur in FY 2006. Principal contractors and grantees: Abt Associates, CARE, 

Population Services International (PSI), Macro International, Management Systems International (MSI). 

Improve Maternal Health & Nutrition 

Improve Maternal Health and Nutrition ($400,000 CSH): To combat maternal mortality USAID will provide 

training and commodities to more than 225 health centers in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria 

(IPT), iron supplementation and birth planning. Approximately 220 providers will be trained in the active 

management of third stage labor and 150 pharmacists in oxcytocin management. Principal contractors 

and grantees: Abt, CARE 

Prevent & Control Infectious Diseases Of Major Importance 

Prevent and Control Infectious Diseases of Major Importance ($2,287,000 CSH): To reduce morbidity and 

mortality associated with malaria USAID will promote availability of insecticide treated nets (ITN). USAID 

will also promote the availability of more than 200,000 re-treatment kits. Technical assistance will be 

provided to the MOH to implement Artemisinin-based Combined Therapy (ACT) as first line treatment. 

Assistance in micro planning and training will be provided to the MOH for polio eradication. Principal 

contractors and grantees: PSI, Netmark, ACCESS, CARE, Malaria Action Coalition. 

Reduce Transmission & Impact Of HIV/AIDS 

Reduce Transmission and Impact of HIV/AIDS: ($3,380,000 CSH). To prevent the HIV/AIDS epidemic 

from escalating in Mali, USAID will work with 23 local NGOs to provide targeted behavior change 

messages to a quarter of a million members of most-at-risk groups. USAID will provide technical 

assistance to voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services targeting 5,000 of the most at risk 

individuals and will assist the MOH to train 100 health agents in VCT norms and procedures. USAID will 

provide technical assistance to municipalities in HIV/AIDS project design, execution and accountability. 

Principal contractors and grantees: Centers for Disease Control, PSI, MACRO, POLICY, PSI, MSI. 

Support Family Planning 

Support Family Planning ($5,526,000 CSH): To promote the use of modern family planning USAID will 

continue providing commodities, logistical support and training to the national family planning program 

and will expand the contraceptive method mix. Community-based contraceptive distribution will continue 

through 4,500 community health volunteers. USAID will continue promoting private sector franchising of 
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family planning through training and certification of more than 100 private providers. USAID will continue 

training and support to more than 100 religious leaders in family planning advocacy. Principal contractors 

and grantees: Abt, CARE, PSI, POLICY, PDI, ACQUIRE. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($1,800,000 CSH): USAID will provide technical assistance and commodities 

to 38 health centers and train three NGOs to work with community health volunteers in the North of Mali. 

Immunization and Vitamin A coverage will expand and ITNs will be distributed to vulnerable populations. 

NGOs will execute behavior change communication activities aimed at populations most at risk for HIV. 

The curriculum and infrastructure of the Nursing School of Gao will be strengthened to train more than 50 

nurses and lab technicians to work in the North. Principal contractors and grantees: Abt, CARE, PSI, 

Macro, MSI, POLICY. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 688-006 High Impact Health Services 

Improve Child Survival, Health & Nutrition 

Improve Child Survival, Health and Nutrition ($1,690,000 CSH): USAID will continue service delivery 

strengthening in 11 districts and two urban communes as well as central level technical assistance to the 

MOH. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Improve Maternal Health & Nutrition 

Improve Maternal Health and Nutrition ($450,000 CSH): USAID will continue providing technical support 

and commodities for maternal health and nutrition activities, and will work with the MOH to scale up post 

partum hemorrhage prevention activities. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Prevent & Control Infectious Diseases Of Major Importance 

Prevent and Control Infectious Diseases of Major Importance ($2,300,000 CSH): USAID will promote ITN 

and re-treatment kit availability and provide technical assistance to the MOH. to be determined. 

Reduce Transmission & Impact Of HIV/AIDS 

Reduce Transmission and Impact of HIV/AIDS: ($3,180,000 CSH): USAID will continue to focus on 

prevention in most-at-risk groups, policy development, advocacy, and surveillance. Same implementers 

as FY 2006. 

Support Family Planning 

Support Family Planning ($4,690,000 CSH): USAID will provide technical and commodity support to 

community level providers and volunteers in family planning and central level technical assistance to the 

Ministry of Health. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($2,400,000 CSH): Provision of technical assistance and commodities in up 

to six new districts in the three regions of the North. Immunization and vitamin A coverage efforts will 
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continue to expand in these areas. ITNs will be made available in all of the North’s districts and NGO 

HIV/AIDS activities will be expanded throughout high priority urban centers in the North. Technical and 

financial assistance to expand the number of health professionals working in the North will continue. 

Same implementers as FY 2006. 

All family planning assistance agreements will incorporate clauses that implement the President’s 

directive restoring the Mexico City Policy. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 688-007 Improved Quality of Basic Education 

Achieve Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education 

Achieve Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education ($3,688,000 DA): Mali is experiencing a severe 

teacher shortage, requiring 2,500 new teachers each year to meet the current demand. Most teachers 

enter the classroom without any formal training, many with only a ninth grade education. To help remedy 

this situation, USAID will create interactive media centers in four teacher training colleges, introduce 

internet skills and allow over 1,200 student teachers access to state-of-the-art education resources. 

USAID will upgrade teachers’ professional competencies using a cost-efficient, school-based training 

model that regroups “clusters” of teachers for regular face-to-face and radio instruction. USAID’s 

interactive radio instruction programs for grade three will model active, child-centered instructional 

methods to ensure that teachers’ lessons are more relevant and appealing to Malian children. This 

program will also train school directors to play a more supportive leadership role in improving teacher 

performance. USAID will integrate Islamic schools into the cluster teacher training system in order to 

ensure that they offer high quality basic education services. 

USAID will use a community-based in-service teacher training program to improve the quality and 

relevancy of basic education in 600 public, community, and Islamic schools, which will benefit 

approximately 3,800 teachers and 300,000 students. USAID will engage parent associations and other 

civil society organizations in managing schools to meet established criteria for effective, well-functioning 

schools. USAID interventions will include community training programs focused on developing School 

Improvement Plans, monitoring teacher and student performance, and advocating for increased 

education resources and services. USAID will support 130 adult literacy centers to promote greater 

participation in local education issues and governance. USAID will also provide training for regional 

Ministry of Education offices to ensure that education system management is information-based, 

promotes community participation, and addresses local needs. Principal contractors and grantees: World 

Education, Education Development Center (EDC), and the Academy for Educational Development (AED) 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($650,000 DA): USAID will strengthen basic education in Northern Mali 

through programs reinforcing education system decentralization, teacher training, adult literacy, 

interactive radio instruction, and community mobilization. Activities will target 190 primary schools, 750 

teachers, and approximately 40,000 students. Teacher training colleges in Timbuktu and Gao will benefit 

from interactive media centers with pre-service training programs adapted to meet the needs of nomadic 

and Arabic-speaking populations. USAID will support 20 adult literacy centers and reinforce parent 

associations and other civil society organizations in over 100 communities. In addition, through the 

African Education Initiative (AEI’s) Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Program (AGSP), USAID will promote 

gender equity in basic education by providing approximately 6,000 scholarships to disadvantaged rural 

girls in the northern regions of Gao, Kidal, and Timbuktu. Principal contractors and grantees: World 

Education, Education Development Center (EDC), and the Academy for Educational Development (AED) 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 688-007 Improved Quality of Basic Education 
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Achieve Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education 

Achieve Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education ($4,800,000 DA): USAID will expand support to 

Mali’s education decentralization process, and solidify the management partnership between 

communities and education system administrators at the commune level. USAID will provide pre-service 

and in-service teacher training through the AEI, with a focus on improving the quality of teachers’ 

instruction and increasing pedagogical support by school directors. Educators in USAID’s target schools 

will be trained in on-site “clusters” of public, community, and Islamic schools so that time away from 

school is minimized and training is relevant to local needs. Student teachers and professors at four 

teacher training colleges will be trained to use new technologies, including the Internet, to assist in 

classroom teaching. Professional development radio programs for teachers will be broadcast to promote 

effective instructional techniques, and supported by face-to-face training in clusters. USAID will seek to 

expand interactive radio instruction for primary school students beyond grade three, in order to improve 

teaching and learning at the classroom level. USAID plans to support at least 600 public, community, and 

Islamic schools in meeting established criteria for effective, well-functioning schools through investments 

in adult literacy and community participation. These activities will promote increased student enrollment, 

performance, and retention through the end of the primary school cycle. Same implementers as FY 

2006. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($1,500,000 DA): USAID will use FY 2007 resources to expand efforts that 

reinforce basic education in the politically fragile northern regions of Mali. In addition to ongoing teacher 

training and community participation activities, interactive radio instruction will be expanded in the North 

as a means to reach rural and nomadic populations. USAID will focus on improving basic literacy through 

activities that target both students and illiterate out-of-school youth and adults. Through AEI’s AGSP 

USAID will continue to help vulnerable girl students in Gao, Kidal, and Timbuktu continue and succeed in 

primary school. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 688-008 Shared Governance Through Decentralization 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($200,000 DA): USAID’s activities, particularly in the North, will 

integrate peace building activities using radio and support local government provision of social services in 

order to reduce the potential for conflict that stems from competition in a resource-poor environment. 

Principal contractors and grantees: AFRICARE and Management Systems International. 

Strengthen Civil Society 

Strengthen Civil Society ($500,000 DA): Women will be increasingly represented in community decision 

making across Mali. Their active participation in community associations will help ensure scarce 

resources are directed into essential services. USAID will increase women’s economic power through 

income generating activities and access to micro-credit, enabling women’s groups to support improved 

health and education services. Principal contractor: Winrock International. 

Support Democratic Local Government & Decentralization 

Support Democratic Local Government and Decentralization ($1,000,000 DA; $800,000 CSH): USAID will 

build on progress made in up to 250 targeted local governments across Mali. Locally elected officials, 

using improved financial management systems, will manage budgets transparently and engage 

communities in dialogue regarding utilization of scarce resources. Local populations will increasingly pay 
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their taxes and hold officials accountable for these funds, leading to improved social services in all 

sectors. As a result, ordinary citizens will form partnerships with local government and civil society 

organizations to improve their communities, and ensure improved health, education, environmental 

management and water resources, impacting up to 5.9 million Malian villagers. Principal contractor: 

Management Systems International. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($250,000 DA): USAID will mitigate conflict and build peace among at-risk 

groups in the North of Mali. Women will be trained to take an active role in community decision making, 

advocacy and assisted to improve their economic opportunities through business training and small 

grants. USAID programs will improve governance locally and engage disenfranchised populations in 

public planning and establishing community priorities for development. Implementers to be determined. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 688-008 Shared Governance Through Decentralization 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($200,000 DA): USAID will build on the successes of the radio 

program and synergies with local government to improve accountability and provision of services to 

disenfranchised populations. USAID interventions in the North will improve inter-community, inter-ethnic 

dialogue and engage youth in development. Same implementer as FY 2006. 

Strengthen Civil Society 

Strengthen Civil Society ($500,000 DA): Women will be increasingly represented in community decision 

making across Mali. Their active participation in community associations will help ensure scarce 

resources are directed into essential services. USAID will increase women’s economic power through 

income generating activities and access to micro-credit, enabling women’s groups to support improved 

health and education services. Same implementer as FY 2006. 

Support Democratic Local Government & Decentralization 

Support Democratic Local Government and Decentralization ($1,000,000 DA; $783,000 CSH): USAID will 

build on progress made in up to 250 targeted local governments across Mali. Locally elected officials, 

using improved financial management systems, will manage budgets transparently, engaging 

communities in dialogue regarding utilization of scarce resources. Local populations will increasingly pay 

their taxes and will hold officials accountable for these funds, leading to improved social services in all 

sectors. As a result, ordinary citizens will form partnerships with local government and CSOs to improve 

their communities, and ensure improved health, education, environmental management and water 

resources, impacting up to 5.9 million Malian villagers. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($548,000 DA): USAID will continue to ensure that populations in the North 

are increasingly linked to the values of the country as a whole, and meaningfully engaged both in public 

decision-making as well as participation in the economic development of the nation. Implementers to be 

determined. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 688-009 Accelerated Economic Growth 
12

Improve Sustainable Management Of Natural Resources & Biodiversity 

Improve Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation ($800,000 DA): 

USAID’s integrated sustainable agricultural development encompasses natural resources conservation 

and agricultural production activities through a community based natural resources management 

(CBNRM) approach in over 25 targeted locations. Principal contractors and grantees: Cooperative 

League of U.S.A (CLUSA), and International Resources Group. 

Increase Agricultural Sector Productivity 

Increase Agricultural Sector Productivity ($3,000,000 DA): USAID applies modern science and 

technology tools, including adaptive research on sustainable land and water management technologies, 

to expand the sustainable productivity of target commodities including rice, horticultural crops, and 

livestock. USAID supports the development of an improved seed production and distribution system, 

including support for the development of bio-safety and other seed policy related activities as well as 

farmer-based foundation seed production. USAID will intensify efforts to increase investments in water 

management and small scale irrigation. USAID will also work with Mali’s College of Agriculture and 

Natural Resources, to strengthen its two-year program in agricultural technology. Principal contractors 

and grantees: CLUSA, Michigan Sate University, Sheladia Associates Inc, Land O’Lakes, and the 

International Fertilizer Development Center. 

Increase Trade and Investment 

Increase Trade and Investment ($1,800,000 DA): USAID will provide technical and managerial training to 

agro-entrepreneurs and select government units to enhance exports. Activities will strengthen the 

integration of trade into the national development strategy through coordination of the multi-agency, multidonor Integrated Framework and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with emphasis on improvement 

of the quality of products and product certification, diversification of markets (dissemination of market 

information, and regional and international trade regulations), and supply chain logistics. A special 

emphasis on trade in agricultural products from the northern regions promotes economic growth and 

helps reduce poverty in those regions. Principal contractor: Chemonics International. 

Strengthen The Financial Services Sector & Increase Access to Capital 

Strengthen the Financial Services Sector and Increase Access to Capital ($1,800,000 DA): USAID will 

increase opportunities for accessing financial services, particularly in the area of agricultural development 

and agricultural business development. The development, enhancement, and capacity building of the 

Investment Promotion agency for Mali affords additional strengthening of the sector. In the formal banking 

sector, partnerships with key financial institutions will ensure adequate outreach to producers and 

producer associations. In the microfinance area, USAID will work towards professionalization to develop 

new, easy-to-access financial products adapted to the needs of the rural and urban poor, especially 

women. USAID will enhance transparency and professionalization through financial ratings of the major 

microfinance networks in Mali. Principal contractor: Chemonics International and Planet Rating. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($644,000 DA): USAID will support populations in the North of Mali at-risk of 

famine, malnutrition and unemployment, targeting food availability and accessibility. USAID will support 

the Mali National Famine Early Warning System and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network 

(FEWSNet) project. USAID will also support the Mali Food Security System which is comprised of an 

early warning system, a market information system, a national food security stock and a food security 
13

fund. It will also target the improved irrigation sector, micro enterprise development, agricultural 

marketing, and job creation. Implementers to be determined. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 688-009 Accelerated Economic Growth 

Improve Sustainable Management Of Natural Resources & Biodiversity 

Improve Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation ($800,000 DA): 

Expansion of improved water and land management practices and the applications of more Local 

Conventions in CBNRM will be implemented. Support to producers and indigenous institutions for 

increasing the use of improved production and conservation technologies is planned. Expanded activities 

to develop and disseminate modern technologies will be implemented in collaboration with Malian 

research, development and education institutions. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Increase Agricultural Sector Productivity 

Increase Agricultural Sector Productivity ($3,000,000 DA): In accordance with the Agency’s new 

Agricultural Strategy and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) Comprehensive Africa 

Agricultural Development Program USAID plans to intensify efforts to enhance the productivity of Malian 

agriculture through science based, market- oriented sustainable agriculture, with particular emphasis in 

Northern Mali. USAID will continue to strengthen the two-year program with Mali’s College of Agriculture 

and Natural Resources. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Increase Trade and Investment 

Increase Trade and Investment ($1,800,000 DA): USAID plans to work more closely with indigenous 

institutions, including producers’ cooperatives and the export office in the Ministry of Industry and 

Commerce; expand geographical and/or product coverage and consolidate past achievements. Key 

activities related to the diversification of markets for the targeted products, improving their 

competitiveness, and the strengthening of the capacity of the private sector will remain central to the 

project. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Strengthen The Financial Services Sector & Increase Access to Capital 

Strengthen The Financial Services Sector and Increase Access to Capital ($1,800,000 DA): USAID plans 

to expand access to finance for all Malians through multiple instruments and diverse partnerships. In FY 

2007 the new Investment Promotion agency will open its doors and continue to build capacity with 

support from the finance project. Same implementers as FY 2006. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($ 636,000 DA): The program will continue to focus on improving the access 

of populations in the North to sufficient and adequate food. Implementers to be determined. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 688-010 Communications for Development 

Expand & Improve Access To Economic & Social Infrastructure 

Expand and Improve Access to Economic and Social Infrastructure ($68,000 CSH): USAID will continue 

to use Mali’s network of 185 community radio stations to produce and broadcast over 310 radio programs 
14

and train at least 255 radio producers in the design and production of radio messages. In addition, USAID 

is creating materials on development-related topics that will be made available in nine new community 

telecenters and 29 existing community telecenters, known as Community Learning and Information 

Centers (CLICs) and the smaller Community Multimedia Centers (CMCs). These telecenters offer various 

services, including access to the internet, email, CD-ROMs, video programming and general computer 

use to potentially over 800,000 Malians in local communities. With funding from the Last Mile Initiative, 

USAID will extend Internet access to rural areas, following the weekly “rural market day” schedule, using 

innovative technological and business solutions. At these sites, health workers, farmers, students and 

small businesses will be able to get market information, surf the web, exchange emails and access other 

information services. USAID will also provide support to the Ministry of Communications and New 

Technologies for strengthening policies on the use of information technologies. Principal grantees: 

Afriklinks, Helen Keller International, and the Geekcorps Division of the International Executive Service 

Corps (IESC). 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($99,000 DA; $82,000 CSH): USAID will provide training for radio 

staff in how to use radio for conflict early warning, prevention and mitigation in northern Mali. USAID will 

also set up two-way communication systems between these stations, linking them with local security 

authorities, providing a mechanism for addressing serious conflict and counter-terrorism issues. Principal 

grantee: Africare. 

Reduce Transmission & Impact Of HIV/AIDS 

Reduce Transmission and Impact of HIV/AIDS ($250,000 CSH): USAID will assist in the production of 

radio programs on HIV/AIDS prevention and their broadcast over Mali’s network of 185 private community 

FM radio stations. The program will also assist in the design and production of materials on HIV/AIDS for 

health workers and the general public in a wide range of multi-media formats and made available in 

community telecenters (USAID-funded and others) throughout the country. Principal grantee: Hellen 

Keller International. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($100,000 CSH; $150,000 DA): USAID will create four new community FM 

radio stations, and strengthen the seven existing stations in the fragile northern regions of Mali, providing 

development-related information to an estimated 750,000 people. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 688-010 Communications for Development 

Expand & Improve Access To Economic & Social Infrastructure 

Expand and Improve Access to Economic and Social Infrastructure ($48,000 DA; $50,000 CSH): The 

thrust of the program will be the continued use of radio as the primary tool for disseminating 

development-related information. USAID will support training of radio station producers in the design and 

production of programs on health, education, good governance and decentralization, economic growth, 

environment, and other topics. In addition to radio, USAID will take advantage of the 33 community 

telecenters built under the program by developing training materials, web sites, DVDs and other materials 

and products that can be accessed by these facilities. These will be adapted to specific audiences (e.g. 

teachers, the business community, health workers, decentralization agents, etc.) and will address specific 

issues directly related to the activities of USAID programs in Mali. Principal grantees: Malian Uniton for 

Free Radio and Television (URTEL) and Institut Panos (local NGOs working in the radio sector). 
15

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($150,000 DA; $50,000 CSH): USAID will assist the development of 

special radio programming on conflict prevention and mitigation measures in the North, with a strong 

emphasis on programs for youth and women. Principal grantees: Local NGOs working in HIV/AIDS 

communications. 

Reduce Transmission & Impact Of HIV/AIDS 

Reduce Transmission and Impact of HIV/AIDS ($100,000 CSH): USAID will continue to assist in the 

production of radio programs on HIV/AIDS prevention and their broadcast over Mali’s growing network of 

private community FM radio stations, and produce multimedia materials on HIV/AIDS issues to be 

disseminated in community telecenters. Principal grantee: Local NGOs working in HIV/AIDS 

communications. 

Support Populations at Risk 

Support Populations at Risk ($200,000 CSH; $150,000 DA): USAID will continue to expand 

communications in the North by establishing FM radio stations focused on basic literary programs and 

information dissemination on a wide range of development topics to rural and nomadic populations in this 

politically fragile region. USAID will train youth to assemble newly-available FM broadcasting equipment 

made from modular components at far lower cost (less than $3,000 for a complete broadcast studio), and 

provide employment opportunities for disenfranchised youth in the North. Principal grantees: 

IESC/Geekcorps. 
16

Results Framework 

688-006 High Impact Health Services 

Program Title: High Impact Health Services 

 IR 6.1: Policy environment for high impact services and improved practices established 

 IR 6.2: Demand for high impact services and improved practices increased 

 IR 6.3: Access to high impact services and improved practices increased 

 IR 6.4: Quality of high impact services and practices improved 

688-007 Improved Quality of Basic Education 

Program Title: Improving Quality of Basic Education 

 IR 7.1: Better performing teachers in grades 1-6 

 IR 7.2: Curriculum and achievement testing system in place for grades 1-6 

 IR 7.3: Better supported and managed primary schools 

 IR 7.4: Improved AE capacity to plan, manage, implement and assess the quality improvement agenda 

688-008 Shared Governance Through Decentralization 

Program Title: Shared Governance Through Decentralization 

 IR 8.1: Participation of key communal level actors in democratic governance increased in targeted 

communes 

 IR 8.2: Macro-Political enabling environment strengthened 

 IR 8.3: Women's participation in decision-making at the commune level increased in targeted communes 

688-009 Accelerated Economic Growth 

Program Title: Accelerated Economic Growth 

 IR 9.1: Sustainable production of selected agricultural products in targeted areas increased 

 IR 9.2: Trade of selected agricultural products increased 

 IR 9.3: Access to finance increased 

688-010 Communications for Development 

Program Title: Communications for Development 

 IR 10.1: More & better development information being used by Malians 

 IR 10.2: Regulatory and policy environment responsive to public interest 

Discussion: This SO has removed the following SO Level Indicators: 

 Percentage of consumers reached by development information related to SO activities 

 Ratio of malians/access to a local radio station in targeted areas 

This SO has added the following SO Level Indicators: 

 Increased volume of development information available 

 Internet access costs reduced 

This SO has removed the following IR. 

 IR 10.2: Improved quality of development information 

All other aspects of the Results Framework remain the same.