CARITAS BENIN

CARITAS BENIN: Promotion of Sustainable Agroecological Community Initiatives (PICAD) in the Caritas DNP areas in Benin .

Caritas Benin intervenes in several key areas, including: basic social services (health, education and access to drinking water); ordinary emergencies (support for the indigent and assistance to people in situations of great vulnerability); major emergencies; as well as development, through actions such as child protection, the promotion and empowerment of women, literacy, agropastoral development and environmental protection.

In Benin, a consortium composed of Caritas Djougou , Caritas Natitingou and Caritas Parakou (Caritas DNP) is implementing a CoRe II project

The Core II Project

With a view to a just ecological transition, the PICAD-DNP/Benin project aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in the territories covered by Caritas DNP in the face of socio-economic and environmental challenges, particularly those related to climate change. It also strives to reduce inequalities by promoting better representation of women and young people in local decision-making bodies.

To achieve these objectives, the project promotes inclusive, responsible, and sustainable management of natural resources, encourages the adoption of agroecological practices, and values traditional knowledge. These actions contribute to strengthening food security and improving the incomes of the most vulnerable populations in seven targeted villages in the dioceses of Djougou, Parakou, and Natitingou. The project directly benefits 1,500 people and indirectly benefits 3,000.

Planned activities:

• Structuring and institutional recognition of groups of agricultural producers.

• Establishment of inclusive spaces for exchange and learning, promoting increased participation of women and young people in the management of common goods.

• Strengthening local vegetable production, improving nutritional education and installing suitable storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure a balanced diet.

• Capacity building for Caritas staff.

• Training and support for relay producers, as well as producers, on agroecological practices, including the establishment of market garden areas.

• Promoting responsible saving through the creation of Internal Savings and Credit Communities (ISCCs).