Join For Water’s Delta Mono project in Benin is part of a programme managed by Enabel and funded by the European Union. The area where the activities take place is the Reserve de Biosphère du Mono (RBM), or the Mono Valley Biosphere Reserve, Benin. The RBM is internationally recognised for its ecological importance. The Mono is a river that rises in Togo and flows through the western part of Benin until it empties into the ocean. The entire region comprises valuable wetlands, lakes, mangroves and alluvial zones that provide important services to people and nature, such as water storage, infiltration, biodiversity conservation and flood protection. The Delta Mono project is in line with the Beninese government’s plans for adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Specifically, Join For Water is working in six municipalities: Grand Popo, Lokossa, Comè, Athiémé, Houéyogbé and Djakotomey, which belong to four ACCBs (Aires Communautaires de Conservation de la Biodiversité). ACCBs are areas managed by communities to protect natural resources such as water and work towards their sustainable use. The four ACCBs are:
- ACCB of Adjamè
- ACCB of the Naglanou forest
- ACCB of Lake Toho (see article on vegetable gardens)
- ACCB of Bouche du Roy (see article on the spawning grounds in Dohi).
The region faces major challenges:
- Climate change causes unpredictability in terms of rainfall, frequent flooding and periods of drought.
- Intensive agriculture and fishing lead to degradation of wetlands, loss of biodiversity and pollution.
- Local communities, especially vulnerable groups, are highly dependent on natural water resources for irrigation, livestock farming, fishing and food production.
- Limited access to technology and knowledge
- Weak (municipal) structures and poor coordination between the various parties involved.
With this project, Join For Water aims to achieve:
- better living conditions for local communities through improved food production.
- reduced negative environmental impact of agriculture and fishing.
- ecosystems that are more resilient to the effects of climate change.
The activities consist of:
- Setting up agro-ecological infrastructure in consultation with the community
- Strengthening municipalities, managers and producers in sustainable management and policy
- Raising awareness and educating communities about biodiversity, climate adaptation and water management.
- Promoting gender equality and inclusion according to the LNOB principle (Leave No One Behind).
What do we want to achieve for this region?
- Direct impact: better access to water, increased productivity, restoration of wetlands and biodiversity, strengthened local governance.
- Indirect impact: economic growth, food security, gender inclusion and climate adaptation.
- Sustainability: anchoring in municipal development plans, local capacity building and participatory management structures.