Annual Report 2023
You can find our latest annual report here
Mali Development Group
Development on a human scale
The Mali Development Group (MDG) raises money to support social, health, economic, education and political development in Mali, West Africa. The work is done by Malians for Malians, using methods that involve local people and that are rooted in local communities. Our partners work in Bamako, the capital city, and in remote rural areas in the South of the country. We also offer practical and technical support, using the skills of our members and building on over 20 years of developed relationships.
The result is a model of international development that is effective, sustainable, inclusive and egalitarian.
We are not a large international organisation, but a small and effective voluntary group relying entirely on the skills and commitment of our members. We employ no one and our overheads are extremely small. We believe in close and long lasting partnerships with our Malian colleagues, and the importance of trusting and open relationships. Currently we are supporting our two long term partners:- Pensons à Demain (PAD) in their ongoing work in Bamako with children living and working on the streets and other vulnerabl young people. PAD uses Bogolan art to help develop skills and build confidence and self esteem.
- Jeunesse et Développement (J&D), which has a significant track record of development work in communities in Southern Mali and in Bamako.
On this site you can learn more about Mali, our past projects and current priorities, you can see how MDG does its work and how you might contribute. We hope you will want to support us – if you do, then you can make a donation or subscribe to our email list.
Situation in Mali
Mali has been experiencing instability and conflict since the 2012 military coup and the occupation of the North by armed groups. In 2020, a transition government was installed pending the organization of democratic elections and Colonel Assimi Goïta was proclaimed Head of State on May 28, 2021 by the Constitutional Court.
More recently French troops have left the country at the government's request and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) which has been based in the north of Mali since July 2014 is also in the process of withdrawing. This has contributed to the insecurity in north and central Mali, where communities are exposed to coercian and attack from jihadi-linked organisations. The withdrawal of thousands of foreign troups has resulted in significant loss of employment opportunities among local communities and an increase in internally displaced people. The Malian army is now supported by the Russian state, and the Tuareg Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) is fighting to expand its control over territory in the North.
This complex situation is accompanied by popular antipathy for France in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where military governments are also in power. The situation for urban Malians is compounded by the cost of living crisis, frequent power cuts and an influx of friends and family from rural areas. Rural communities in north and central Mali are exposed to poverty, insecurity and reduced or non existant health and education services. Reliable information is hard to find and social media is full of stories that aren't easy to verify. There is a lot of popular enthusiasm for Mali standing on its own two feet and moving forward to a self determined future, but in the overall geo-political situation that the Sahel is experiencing, the challenges are enormous.
Many international development partners have withdrawn or reduced their support and Malian Associations and NGO's are faced with funding challenges. In this situation MDG wants to do its small part in offering ongoing financial and moral support to our partners.