• About the Program
  
• Women in Democratic Governance
• Achievements/Results
• Join our listserve discussion
• Team Members
• Partners
• Contact
  

Why a Drum?

Traditionally, a drum is often used to call for a gathering to either convey a message or discuss issues within a given community.

Achievements

Summary: The activity’s purpose is to assist community organizations in becoming effective partners in democratic governance in targeted local government entities ("communes"). Effective democratic governance includes empowerment efforts of community organizations by strengthening their capacity for influencing public decision-makers in the planning of development activities. USAID focuses on two major areas of intervention in Mali in which USAID has predominant capability: (1) helping targeted community organizations to engage in democratic governance and civic action primarily at local levels; and (2) helping to put in place an enabling environment that empowers community organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and federations to carry out civic actions and participate in the determination of public decisions.

Key Results: USAID continues to monitor Mali's steps toward decentralization, which is essential to achieving our intended program results. In enhancing the enabling environment supportive of community organizations, USAID provides community organizations with training and technical assistance, and with limited direct support for civic action. Targeted community organizations are receiving this type of democratic governance assistance through private voluntary organizations supported with USAID grants, strengthening institutional capacity of nongovernmental organizations, as well as professional, civil and trade associations.

Performance and Prospects: To ensure sustainability, USAID strengthens the internal democratic governance and ability to take civic actions local non-governmental organizations and federations of local community organizations. USAID is identifying, analyzing and addressing constraints in existing laws, regulations and policies affecting community organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and federations. USAID supports civic education campaigns on decentralization and related reform of laws and policies that affect community organizations. The major beneficiaries are the people involved in community organizations at the village and the district ("commune") levels of local government. By 2002, USAID will reach the people involved in approximately 750 community organizations, located in 175 of Mali's 701 districts ("communes").

USAID met all performance targets for 2000 set in the Mission's 1996-2002 performance measurement plan.