The process of increasing democratisation and decentralisation in Mali is underway. As a result, local communities are being given greater responsibility for planning and managing their own resources. The changes, however, have led to a flare up of conflict between different groups. Research conducted by the UK International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Malian Groupe de Recherche Actions pour le Développment (GRAD) asks: how can disputes be managed or, better still, prevented in the future?