Organization's priorities and work in relation to commitment:

ASRAD (Appui Solidaire pour le Renforcement de l’Aide au Développement) is deeply committed to advancing SDG16 in Mali and across the Sahel, with a focus on inclusive governance, access to justice, peacebuilding, and community participation. Our mission is rooted in the belief that no sustainable development is possible without peace, justice, and equity at the grassroots level. Objectives: Empower youth and women to become leaders in peacebuilding, democratic participation, and social accountability. Strengthen access to justice and civic education through community awareness and rights-based engagement. Promote local governance transparency and citizen participation in public decision-making. Build local capacities for conflict prevention and mediation, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Key Programs and Actions: “Youth Radiators for Peace” Initiative: A flagship program training young leaders as community mediators in the 19 regions of Mali, equipping them with skills in non-violent communication, civic leadership, and local dispute resolution. Human Rights Education: Over 10,000 youth have been sensitized on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including via its translation into Bambara, Mali’s most widely spoken language. Women in Governance: Capacity-building programs for women leaders at the local level to improve their participation in peace processes, elections, and local decision-making bodies. Anti-Violence Campaigns: Mobilizing communities against gender-based violence (GBV), with the establishment of listening centers and legal referral mechanisms for survivors. Civic Dialogue Platforms: Hosting forums that bring together local authorities, civil society, and youth to foster mutual trust, accountability, and policy responsiveness. Theory of Change: We believe that sustainable peace and justice emerge when local communities, especially youth and women, are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to hold institutions accountable and resolve conflicts peacefully. Our theory of change is grounded in bottom-up transformation—shifting power and resources closer to communities through education, participation, and trust-building. Timeline and Vision: ASRAD’s SDG16 programs are designed as ongoing, scalable interventions. From 2020 to 2024, we focused on building foundational capacities and community trust. From 2025 onward, we aim to scale nationally, deepen cross-border collaboration in the Sahel, and integrate digital tools for inclusive governance and civic monitoring. We envision a Mali where justice is accessible to all, where institutions are accountable, and where peace is community-driven and youth-led. Through our continued engagement with national stakeholders, international partners, and networks like the TAP Network, we are committed to making SDG16 a reality on the ground.

Organization's work related to TAP network's SGD16+ work & accountability for 2030 Agenda:

ASRAD’s mission and fieldwork are closely aligned with the TAP Network’s focus on SDG16+ and accountability for the 2030 Agenda, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings like Mali. 1. Promoting Transparency, Accountability, and Participation (TAP) at the Local Level ASRAD integrates TAP principles into all its programming by: Training youth and women as community leaders who monitor local governance, public service delivery, and budget processes. Organizing community dialogues and forums to improve public accountability and transparency in local decision-making. Facilitating the co-creation of local development plans, ensuring inclusive participation from marginalized groups. 2. Advancing SDG16+ Priorities in Fragile Contexts ASRAD’s work directly advances several SDG16+ targets: SDG16.1 & 16.3: Through community peacebuilding and legal empowerment of GBV survivors. SDG16.6 & 16.7: By enhancing local government responsiveness and participatory decision-making. SDG16.a & 16.b: By advocating for non-discriminatory access to justice and public services. 3. Accountability for the 2030 Agenda ASRAD contributes to accountability for the SDGs by: Conducting citizen scorecards and social audits to monitor progress on local SDG targets. Raising awareness of the 2030 Agenda through training and outreach in rural and underserved communities, often in local languages. Engaging in national SDG reporting processes and providing grassroots perspectives on the implementation challenges of SDG16. 4. How ASRAD Can Contribute to TAP Network’s Work Field-based evidence and case studies: We can offer real-world examples from the Sahel on how to operationalize SDG16+ in fragile contexts. Expanding TAP’s reach in Francophone West Africa: ASRAD can serve as a regional hub to localize TAP tools, frameworks, and campaigns in French-speaking countries. Collaborative advocacy and knowledge-sharing: We are eager to co-develop resources, contribute to policy dialogues, and support global accountability initiatives with a bottom-up perspective. ASRAD brings deep local knowledge, tested community models, and a strong commitment to inclusive, people-centered justice and governance—making us a strategic partner for advancing the TAP Network’s goals across both grassroots and global levels.

Plan on engaging in TAP's work as a Partner:

• Regional Engagement Platforms and/or Regional Focal Point
• Interest in leadership/coordination opportunities within the TAP Network
• Storytelling /Showcasing your organization's work via the TAP Network platforms
• Exploring opportunities for hosting TAP Network national or regional-level capacity building activities