Identifying and prioritizing scheme sites using a territorial, multi-stakeholder approach (Мали)

The desired objectives are to identify the priority actions for investment that have been agreed by local actors within the framework of the pastoral scheme, and to develop lowland areas.

The approach aims (i) to ensure that all actors involved in developing lowland areas participate in the planning process and (ii) to prepare the ground for the self-management of the lowland scheme from the outset of the process. The goal is to gear the identification and prioritisation processes for schemes being carried out by local authorities (regional council, intermunicipal body, circle) towards the actual needs of local people.
This is achieved by preparing actors and organising multi-stakeholder meetings so that the visions of the different parties can be aligned in an inclusive way. This joint approach ensures investments are more relevant and well founded.
This practice was implemented in the four circles participating the AVAL programme: Kadiolo,
Sikasso, Yorosso and Koutiala. The practice led to the identification of around 10 priority investment sites in each of the four circles concerned. The sites are agricultural (dams, ponds) or pastoral (rangeland, cattle market, route marking). At the beginning of the process, the terms of reference (ToR) and data collection sheets are drawn up and presented to all the actors to ensure they are equally informed and to demonstrate the relevance of the approach across the regional council. The first workshop promotes a common understanding of the objectives and outcomes of the good practice.
Data on actual investment needs is collected by the commune (using data collection sheets) from actors in each village. An initial proposal for the identification and prioritisation criteria for scheme sites is put together by the regional council and its staff. The criteria are submitted for the approval of local actors in forums organised at the circle level with the support of the technical services. Following a first sift based on predefined criteria, the select committee judges the commitments and budgets of each and allocates scores for each criteria ranging from zero to five. Compulsory criteria (initial selection stage): 1)Absence of land ownership disputes, 2)Membership of PDESC, 3)Opening up the area – distance to a road or track that is accessible in all seasons, 4)The number of beneficiaries, 5)Farming of lowland areas–area of farmed land in relation to the possible farmable area. Optional criteria (second-stage sift for projects that have cleared the initial stage): 1)Diversification–number of products or farms, 2)Gender–number of women in relation to men, 3)Capacity of actors to contribute. On this basis, the actors from each circle identify the sites that offer the greatest potential from among the development projects undertaken by communes in the area in the context of their development programmes. Local authorities are then tasked with ensuring the supervision of the development process and the management of works and developed land. At the prioritisation workshop, each commune in the circle takes turn presenting and making the case for its completed data sheet to the plenary.
The regional council initiates the process, defines the identification and prioritisation criteria, undertakes the regional consolidation of projects for delivery at the local level and acts as mediator between communities.
The circle councils organise the information and consultation workshops and the decision-making/prioritisation workshop, and they set up the moderation team with the support of technical services.
Communes pre-select projects at the commune level, assessing them in terms of their relevance to PDESC and the criteria put forward; they ensure data collection sheets are completed in collaboration with beneficiaries, and they take part in the prioritisation process by making the case for their projects.
The support structure (AVAL) provides training and advisory support to actors.
Technical services provide technical support and make sure activities are coherent and in line with national programmes. Consultants facilitate the process and train the actors.