Mali’s natural resources were entirely state- controlled pre-1990. Mismanagement increased the impact of drought leading to the degradation of the country’s natural resources. Can the people do better than the state in protecting their resources? Indeed, do local organisations have the capacity to manage the local environment? An evaluation by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) examines the capability of the Near East Foundation (NEF) in Mali to manage environmental resources in a sustainable and equitable manner