Mali

CLTS is still relatively young in Mali. It was introduced after a sub-regional workshop in November 2008 which focused on introducing CLTS in francophone Africa. The workshop, which was attended by 55 participants from 10 countries and included hands-on triggering in 3 villages, generated interest in Mali and led to a national training workshop in March 2009. Sixty participants from different institutions encompassing the ministries of Environment and Sanitation, Health and Water Supply, NGOs and INGOs attended and participated in triggerings in 15 villages.

Initial doubts about the approach were quickly dispersed by seeing CLTS in action. There have been encouraging results, with many of the communities triggered making rapid progress towards ODF. Triggering is also continuing in 40 additional localities. There are plans for regular follow-up, a final evaluation and official certification of ODF communities, including big celebration events.

As of June 2009, UNICEF Mali reports that 15 villages have become ODF since March. The total population of these villages is 14,000.

View a UNICEF powerpoint on first results and lessons learned from CLTS in Mali