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Legal and Policy Frameworks

Mali has adopted the following legal frameworks, strategies, and vision documents related to social innovation:

Social Entrepreneurship
Social Innovation
Social Businesses
Social [and Solidarity] Economy
Non-profit organizations and charities
SDG

Current stage of implementation:

Stage1: SDG
Stage2: Social Entrepreneurship / Innovation / Businesses / [and Solidarity] Economy
Stage4: Non-profit organizations and charities
Stage5: SDG

with

Stage1: “No Policy or Recognition: No formal recognition, discussion, or policy exists. The sector operates informally or without government involvement.”;
Stage2: “Initial Discussions & Awareness: The government acknowledges the sector and has started discussions or consultations, but no formal policy framework or regulation exists.”;
Stage3: “Draft Policy or Framework in Development: A draft policy, strategy, or regulatory framework is currently being developed. The government may be conducting research, stakeholder consultations, or legislative drafting.”;
Stage4: “Pilot Programs or Limited Implementation: Some initiatives, pilot projects, or partial government-backed programs exist, but full implementation has not yet been achieved. Policies may be tested in select regions or for specific groups.”;
Stage5: “Policy Adopted but Not Fully Implemented: A formal law, policy, or regulation has been passed, but it has not been fully implemented, enforced, or funded. Gaps in execution may still exist.”;
Stage6: “Policy in Effect & Actively Implemented: The policy is fully enacted and actively being implemented. There is clear government support, funding, and enforcement mechanisms in place.”;
Stage7: “Policy Reviewed & Strengthened: The existing policy has been evaluated and improved over time based on feedback, data, or evolving needs. New funding, incentives, or structural reforms may have been introduced.”; and
Stage8: “Leading in Policy Innovation: The country is recognized as a leader in this policy area, with best practices, strong regulatory frameworks, and incentives that actively promote and support the sector.”

Ecosystem Actors

Key Actors in the Ecosystem

The leading actors driving social innovation in Mali include government ministries, social enterprises, NGOs, philanthropic institutions, academia, and other ecosystem builders. The top three most influential actors are:

Social entreprises & social innovateurs (Impact hubs)
- NGOs
- Foundations & philanthropic organizations

Education and Capacity Building

Formal and informal education programs that support social innovation exist in the following forms in Mali:

Limited or informal programs:“ Some training programs, workshops, or university courses are available, but they are not widespread or systematically integrated into the education system
University-level courses or degrees:“ Social innovation, social entrepreneurship, or impact-driven business programs are offered as courses, degrees, or research tracks in universities or technical institutions
Government-supported training programs:“ The government has launched or funded capacity-building programs, incubators, or skill-development initiatives to support social innovation
Private sector or NGO-led programs:“ Non-governmental organizations, incubators, or private sector actors actively run training, mentorship, or acceleration programs for social innovation
Comprehensive national framework:“ The government has integrated social innovation education into national curricula, vocational training, or entrepreneurship development programs, with structured support and funding.

Coordinating Bodies

Ecosystem Communication

The level of communication and coordination among key actors in Mali’s social innovation ecosystem is currently Moderate:“ some collaboration, but existing gaps in coordination.

Support Mechanisms for Policy and Finance

Policy Incentives and Support Mechanisms

To support social innovation, Mali has implemented the following incentives and mechanisms:

Incentives for corporates to fund charities/ESG initiatives,D
Incentives for individuals to fund charities,E
Incentives for individuals to fund social innovation or social businesses,I
Government-backed funding programs (e.g., grants, subsidies, social impact funds),L
Social security measures for social businesses,N
Environmental levies,O
Special levies for corporates (e.g., environmental tax),Q
Environmental taxes/levies,R
Public-private partnerships to foster innovation

Financing Mechanisms

Social innovation in Mali is financed through a variety of mechanisms including:

International funding (e.g., EU/bilateral/multilateral funds)
Public subsidy and grants
Philanthropy & foundations

Impact

Flagship Programs and Achievements

International Collaborations

Tech for Good Innovations

Impact Measurement Frameworks

Mali does not have a formal framework or methodology for measuring social innovation impact.

Economic Contribution of Social Innovation

Reports on Social Impact

There are no Reports and studies that assess the social impact of innovation in Mali.

Policy Momentum

Momentum for social innovation as a public policy issue in Mali is currently rated as:
Some Momentum: There is growing awareness and initial efforts in public policy, but implementation remains limited or fragmented.

Barriers to Growth

The following barriers are currently hindering the growth of social innovation in Mali:

Regulatory and legal barriers
Lack of awareness and understanding of social innovation
Difficulty in measuring and demonstrating impact
Limited access to skilled professionals in the sector

Collaborative Ideas

Stage1: SDG Stage2: Social Entrepreneurship / Innovation / Businesses / [and Solidarity] Economy Stage4: Non-profit organizations and charities Stage5: SDG

Stage1: SDG
Stage2: Social Entrepreneurship / Innovation / Businesses / [and Solidarity] Economy
Stage4: Non-profit organizations and charities
Stage5: SDG