Social economy and common goods: case of the Village Association of Foabougou in the Office du Niger area in Mali

Abstract

This article deals with the production and management of collective goods and services by social economy organizations in Mali. Specifically, the article analyzes how a village association—a cooperative community organization—becomes involved in local socioeconomic development by pooling means and resources to produce self-managed collective goods and services for the benefit of its members, but also of non-members who have to pay more. This mode of organization allows rice producers to secure their living conditions in one of the largest hydro-agricultural enterprises in West Africa, as well as to participate in the development of their community.