Project profile — Reinforcing Community Resilience Against Disinformation in Mali

This project aims to reinforce community resilience against disinformation in Mali’s northern and central regions to improve conflict prevention and the security situation. Specifically, the project aims to strengthen multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration for communicating messages and information that are verified, impartial and conflict-sensitive. These actions will improve the early-warning systems and foster dialogue to prevent violent conflicts in Bamako and in Mali’s northern and central regions (Gao, Mopti, Ségou). The project will also build capacity for youth, women and local authorities in conflict transformation, leadership, positive and conflict-sensitive communication, rumour management and advocacy for peace and stability in Mali. The project’s activities include: (1) providing training on social communication, leadership and disinformation; (2) organizing forums for community expression and peace initiatives; (3) leading awareness campaigns without social media and the radio; (4) providing training for media professionals; (5) organizing workshops on early-warning mechanisms.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) strengthened cooperation among state actors, civil society, the community and women to prevent rumors and hate messages; (2) improved access to and sharing of verified, credible and conflict sensitive information as well as access to and sharing of alternative narratives that promote social cohesion and the positive role of women; and (3) support for the coordination and sharing of information on the security situation and intra- and inter-community conflicts, particularly the role of women in conflict resolution.

Results achieved as of March 2025 include: (1) organized 87 peace initiatives and initiatives to counter disinformation and rumours, with 18,937 participants (9,523 women and 9,414 men); (2) held 103 forums for community expression on disinformation and rumours, with 6,730 participants; (3) put in place 22 cyber guardian platforms at the local level, with 525 participants (200 women and 325 men); (4) organized 21 training sessions on monitoring digital threats, with 494 participants (181 women and 313 men); (5) provided technical assistance to 175 cyber guardians to implement digital initiatives; and (6) raised awareness among 629,876 people through a national campaign on disinformation.