VNG International starts new decentralisation project in Mali - 12-04-10

Following intensive contacts and close cooperation between the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands in Mali and VNG International, the embassy has decided to grant the project "Programme d'appui à l'Association des Municipalités du Mali rendre effective la gestion des compétences locales transferées en vue d'un développement local durable au Mali".

VNG International has been actively involved in the process of decentralisation in Mali for the past decade and therefore consulted a wide range of stakeholders in its network who will be involved in the implementation of this important project.

The project adopts an integrated approach as to Municipal International Cooperation and Association Capacity Building components. The main player and beneficiary is the Association of the Municipalities of Mali (AMM). The project also involves a large group of beneficiaries from both central and local governments and supports networking initiatives in Mali.

This project will adopt a highly innovative approach of peer-to-peer coaching between Dutch experts from VNG and their Malinese counterparts within AMM. This allows for a direct transfer of knowledge between colleagues in the Netherlands and Mali, to reinforce the process of decentralisation in Mali.