Journals, Urban Studies

Challenges and roles of grassroots community organisations in decentralised governance: a case study of Mali’s Office du Niger zone | IDPR 47.4 Featured Article

The editors of International Development Planning Review (IDPR) have selected the following paper as the Featured Article in IDPR 47.4.

‘Challenges and roles of grassroots community organisations in decentralised governance: a case study of Mali’s Office du Niger zone’ by Hamadou Amadou Cissé Barry and Abhilash Babu.

Cover of International Development Planning Review (IDPR). The upper half is solid green with the large, bold, lowercase sans serif letters ‘idpr’ in white at the centre, and the subtitle ‘International Development Planning Review’ in smaller white text below. ISSN numbers and issue details appear in white at the top. The lower half of the cover is white with the table of contents in black text. At the bottom, the publisher’s imprint reads ‘Liverpool University Press’ with the website URL in small caps.

This article is available to read Open Access as part of LUP Open Planning.

When asked to describe the article and highlight its importance, author Hamadou Amadou Cissé Barry stated the following:

In Mali, the government introduced decentralisation to bring power closer to the people and enable communities to participate in decisions that affect them. However, in certain regions, such as the Office du Niger, this ambition faces several challenges, including conflicts over land and water, persistent social inequalities, resource scarcity, and the strong influence of powerful stakeholders. In this complex context, our article examines the role of grassroots community organisations – local associations created by and for the people.

Based on field surveys conducted, particularly in Niono, Pogo, and Kolongo our study reveals that these organisations play a far more significant role than one might expect. They are engaged in managing natural resources, facilitating access to healthcare and education, defending producers’ rights, mobilising women and youth, and often acting as intermediaries between authorities and citizens. Despite occasional lack of training, funding, or recognition, these organisations continue to play a crucial role in local life.

Our research underscores a reality often overlooked: development is driven not only by decisions made at higher levels but also by local initiatives, community dynamics, and the commitment of ordinary citizens. By analysing these tangible experiences, our article offers a deeper understanding of the limitations of decentralisation on paper and the challenges it faces on the ground.

Ultimately, our study advocates for a reevaluation of local governance policies. It emphasises that strengthening the capacity of community organisations and ensuring they have a genuine role in decision making is crucial for fostering fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable development, not only in Mali but also in many regions of the world facing similar challenges.

Read the Featured Article Open Access

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