The Beninese government has launched an initiative to improve water resource management in the country. The DURAGIRE program, which is currently being implemented in 14 communes, aims to support local actors in developing bankable projects to address water-related challenges. A mission to accompany local actors has been underway since July and will continue until October. The mission focuses on reinforcing the operational capacities of local water management committees.
The mission is being carried out in collaboration with local water committees, communes, non-governmental organizations, and disaster risk reduction platforms. Its objective is to help local actors identify water-related problems, prioritize them, and develop initiatives to address them. The program also aims to support local actors in accessing sustainable financing for their projects. Marcellin Toha, a farmer from Tangnigbadji village, attended a meeting to discuss potential projects in his locality.
The DURAGIRE program is working to support local actors in developing projects that can be financed by external partners. The program's approach is based on the realities experienced by local communities, and it seeks to empower them to take ownership of their water management challenges. According to Khévine Robaverge Mahougnon DJOGLI, the head of the mission, the program will not be able to provide financial support indefinitely, and local actors must be able to access financing on their own.
The mission is currently working with 12 communes, and 47 villages are concerned by the activities. Four animators have been deployed to organize community learning sessions and accompany the formulation of bankable projects. The problems identified vary from one locality to another but include actions and initiatives for the clearing and development of canals and drains, the creation of water reservoirs, and the realization of boreholes.
The program's goal is to help local communities develop projects that can be financed by external partners. To achieve this, the mission is supporting local actors in formulating bankable projects that can be submitted to calls for proposals. The program also seeks to promote a consortium approach, involving local water committees, communes, non-governmental organizations, and disaster risk reduction platforms.
The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of local communities, particularly in terms of their ability to manage water resources sustainably. The program's actions should help to alleviate the suffering of populations in conducting their income-generating activities, such as market gardening, fish farming, livestock, and agriculture. The program also aims to strengthen the resilience of local communities to climate change and the water crisis.
The DURAGIRE program is a significant step towards improving water resource management in Benin. By supporting local actors in developing bankable projects, the program aims to promote sustainable water management practices and improve the livelihoods of local communities. The program's success will depend on the ability of local actors to access financing and take ownership of their water management challenges.
Key points
- The DURAGIRE program supports local actors in developing bankable water projects to address water-related challenges in Benin.
