Stakeholder Analysis: Prospects for Effective and Sustainable Implementation of Innovation Packages, Achieving Initiative's Immediate Results and Outcomes in Mali

Abstract

This report aims to provide a structured analysis of a stakeholder assessment related to sustainable animal productivity for livelihoods, nutrition, and Gender Inclusion in Mali. This analysis is part of the CGIAR initiative SAPLING, with the primary goal of understanding and identifying the role of various stakeholders, their potential contributions, and avenues for collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of SAPLING’s innovation packages (IP) and the desired outcomes of the initiative. This work aims at: i) Identifying wich relevant Stakeholders are closely associated with each innovation package and the key actors capable of contributing effectively at different levels and scales, ii) outlining how existing platforms are evolving to incorporate new participants who can support the implementation of the Multi-Stakeholder Innovation Platforms (MSIPs), Core of SAPLING’ ToC in Mali, and iii) supporting the design of the Behavior Change Communication (BCC) plan through tailoring specific capacity development initiatives. To conduct this stakeholder analysis, we employed the MACTOR methodological framework, which is designed to assess stakeholders' strategies and their power dynamics (Balance of power) in decision-making. This framework is particularly relevant for the complex issue of sustainable animal productivity for livelihoods, nutrition, and gender inclusion, which requires significant collective action. Our data collection method involved a series of focus group discussions with primary stakeholders involved directly and indirectly in the small ruminant value chain. During these discussions, we gathered stakeholders' perceptions concerning the implementation of six innovation packages. These perceptions were assessed and analyzed across different decision scales, taking into account roles, interests, influence, balance of power, objectives, and stakeholders' strategies. The findings from this analysis are expected to suggest pathways and strategies to foster collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders and catalyze potential alliances that can drive the effective implementation of innovation packages, aligning with the overarching outcomes of the SAPLING initiative in Mali.