INITIAL SITUATION

Decentralized approaches play a major role in the implementation of Benin’s environmental and climate policies. FNEC is a financing mechanism that can make a relevant contribution to the implementation of such decentralized approaches by supporting respective projects of different implementing organizations. However, for this to happen, the fund needs to strengthen its capacities, increase its visibility and expand its portfolio in the thematic spectrum of climate change mitigation and biodiversity.  

ELIGIBLE ORGANISATIONS

National non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the climate change and biodiversity sectors are eligible to participate in the call. They must meet certain requirements regarding their institutional capacities and experience in the field of climate and biodiversity conservation.  

PROJECT APPROACH

The general objective of FNEC´s initiative, supported by IKI Small Grants, is to promote and finance small-scale climate and biodiversity projects in Benin, implemented by national civil society organisations. The projects shall implement measures in the agricultural sector, the water resources sector, the energy sector as well as the biodiversity and forestry sector. 

 To identify and select projects, a team of FNEC managers will organize a call for proposals, provide training to potential project promoters on how to draw up projects, evaluate and finally select the best project proposals. Among the selection criteria are: Environmental and social compliance, gender sensitivity and the potential to scale up of innovations. FNEC will monitor the project implementation and evaluate the results and impacts reached at the end of the project. Finally, a dissemination of the project achievements is planned. 

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

FNEC is a financial instrument under the supervision of the Ministry of Living Environment and Sustainable Development in Benin. The organisation was founded in 2003 and responds to a need to support and finance initiatives related to environmental protection and climate change. The financing mechanism for programs and projects aims at the protection and rational management of the environment, the fight against the harmful effects of climate change and the promotion of a sustainable development in Benin.  

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

The individual projects 

Strengthening the resilience of food security in response to climate change in the Commune of Houéyogbé 

Due to changes in precipitation, droughts and floods are occurring more frequently in the community of Houéyogbé. In order to increase the resilience of the population to these climate fluctuations, adapted agricultural practices are being promoted. In addition, the processing of agricultural products and market access are strengthened through agricultural business clusters. 

Implemented by: Organization for the Development of Grassroots Initiatives (ODIB) 

Preservation of the Perma River Headwaters in Kamborifa 

The headwaters of the Perma River are degrading due to increasing pressure of use. The project promotes the sustainable management of water resources through infrastructure (boreholes, drinking troughs for animals, collective laundry areas with water collection pits), the spread of market gardening production and the restoration of vegetation (gallery forests and river banks) with native species. 

Implemented by: Benin Culture Development Friendship (BCDA) 

Preservation and valorization of the ecosystems of the Bourandou community forest and the Sinatabe sacred forest 

The degradation of forest areas is counteracted by restoring vegetation and establishing sustainable land use methods. In the surrounding area, local communities are trained in sustainable land management and alternative income opportunities are created (bee-keeping, sustainable fisheries, small animals). 

Implemented by: Women’s Association for a Fulfilled Youth (AFeJE) 

Restoration and sustainable conservation of the Kpékonzoun sacred forest in the commune of Adjohoun 

The Kpékonzoun sacred forest is one of the last forest reserves in the commune of Adjohoun. It is threatened by trade of wood and uncontrolled hunting. The project contributes to the sustainable management of the forest through the sustainable valorization of its biological resources and strengthening the resilience of local communities. 

Implemented by: Organization for Sustainable Development and Biodiversity (ODDB) 

Community feeding and watering site for livestock in the commune of Djidja 

Overexploitation of pasture and water resources by transhumant herders lead to degradation of natural resources and conflicts of use with farmers in the project region. The project strengthens sustainable pasture management, fodder production by arable farmers, establishment of  hedges and provision of drinking troughs and fodder plots for model farmers. 

Implemented by: Equilibre d’Afrique 

 

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

IKI Small Grants supports FNEC to develop and strengthen its capacities as Financing Institution in the context of climate and biodiversity protection. This includes: 

• Strengthening of FNEC’s capacities regarding the requirements of the international climate and biodiversity funds in terms of project development for the mobilisation of financing; 
• Strengthen the capacities of FNEC’s Committee of Experts for Environmental, Social and Gender Monitoring (CESESAG) on GCF’s environmental and social standards; 
• Carry out an organizational audit of FNEC, together with an action plan to remedy the gaps identified. 
• Upgrade platforms and databases for the submission and management of projects 
• Training of FNEC’s executives on the monitoring-evaluation mechanism for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects 
• Support the organization through exchange visits with other organisations already accredited to the GCF and the AF for knowledge sharing on projects already implemented