Participatory Development

Village development in Kalassa is based on long-term partnerships, joint planning, and the goal of creating sustainable structures for education, health, basic services, and economic self-reliance. This work is firmly embedded in local decision-making structures and is carried out jointly with the municipalities.

Ownership of the land in use was deliberately not acquired. Instead, agreements with the municipalities secure its unlimited use. Two of the four CAAS properties—the Campus and the Annex — were made available to CAAS for permanent use by the rural municipality of Siby in return for a symbolic lease.

For Kalassa, the rent-free provision of the land for the Complexe Agricole (5 ha) and the school garden (1 ha) by the family of village chief Kalifa Konaté was also a decisive step. It formed the basis for the shared development path of the village and CAAS.

Roads
A jointly developed village development plan was a key prerequisite for electrification and water supply. For this purpose, all village residents agreed on property boundaries as well as the layout of squares, roads, and pathways.

Water
The CAAS water infrastructure—including boreholes, submersible pumps, and water towers—secures the village’s drinking water supply through more than ten water points.

Electricity
In spring 2024, the CAAS solar and battery storage systems on the campus and the agricultural site were interconnected. A newly constructed distribution network can supply electricity to up to ten small businesses as well as approximately 50 households.

• Establishment of a local savings bank of the Malian savings association CAECE to support small-scale investments
• Establishment of a veterinary practice with pharmacy, as well as the sale of animal feed, operated by the head of livestock management at CAAS, Amadou Araba Doumbia
• Traffic calming through the construction of speed bumps to improve safety
• Planting of trees along National Road No. 5 between the campus in Siby and the Complexe Agricole in Kalassa
• Installation of street and public-space lighting
• Creation of employment opportunities through construction projects, agriculture, and skilled manual work

Kalassa is developing step by step. The close relationship between the village and CAAS forms the foundation for implementing and securing education, health, and infrastructure projects in rural areas over the long term.

The focus of the coming years will be on:

• Strengthening schools and vocational education
• Expanding water supply and renewable energy infrastructure
• Promoting agriculture and livestock farming
• Development of a football field and additional sports facilities for the school and village community, including school celebrations and tournaments
• Further development of the health center
• Building economic structures that will make the village more independent in the long te