An ILO Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) project aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening social cohesion between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities was completed in peri-urban Bamako in March 2026. Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the one-year initiative focused on creating decent work opportunities while improving local infrastructure through labour-intensive road rehabilitation.
The project piloted Japanese STEIN soil stabilization technology using locally available materials to upgrade and reinforce community roads. This approach combined infrastructure development with job creation, demonstrating how employment-focused public works can simultaneously improve service delivery and support inclusive economic recovery in fragile settings.
A total of 9,764 workdays were generated through the project, employing 120 workers from both IDP and host communities, including 35 percent women. Participants received technical training in stonework through the Senou Vocational Training Centre, alongside sessions on occupational safety, gender equality, conflict prevention, and decent work principles. These interventions not only enhanced skills and employability but also contributed to stronger social cohesion between communities.
On the ground, the works resulted in the paving of 350 metres of roads and the reinforcement of 135 metres, significantly improving local mobility, access to services, and connectivity in the area. The project also strengthened institutional capacity by training local authorities, social partners, and enterprises in EIIP methodologies, labour standards, and technical supervision to ensure long-term sustainability.
At the closing ceremony in March 2026, attended by the Ambassador of Japan to Mali and senior government officials, Mali reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up the approach through national programmes aimed at expanding labour-intensive public works. This includes broader adoption of EIIP-based initiatives to support employment and infrastructure development across the country.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the broader significance of the initiative, noting that the rehabilitated roads represent more than physical infrastructure. He emphasized that such projects act as powerful tools for creating jobs, building skills, and restoring hope, particularly for young people and communities affected by displacement and fragility.
