Agricultural training and professional integration in agricultural development pole no. 4

Context

This project aims to meet the challenges of agricultural vocational training and boost entrepreneurship in rural areas of agricultural development pole no. 4 (ADP 4) in the centre of the country. Through an integrated approach combining training, professional integration and entrepreneurial support, it aims to improve the employability of young people while contributing to the sustainable economic development of Benin. To achieve this, the project is putting in place effective governance mechanisms, facilitating access to finance and supporting sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives. It then meets the growing needs of the agricultural sector while strengthening the country's resilience in the face of climate challenges.

At the same time, a second component of the project involves the creation of a climate finance unit (CFU) – responsible for facilitating the country's access to financing for climate change adaptation projects – within Benin's Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to poverty reduction among the population of Benin.

Its first specific objective is to improve the efficacy of training and integration pathways in the agricultural sector and related professions. The project focuses on promoting short, certified, and qualification-based training courses in order to strengthen the continuity between training, post-training follow-up and integration for young people starting their professional journey or already active in the field.

Its second specific objective is to facilitate Benin’s access to climate finance while promoting sustainable practices and climate-related initiatives through the establishment of a fully operational CFU. This unit is expected to contribute to the necessary reforms of the national climate finance system and to shape new, innovative approaches to accessing such funding.

Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the first specific objective are primarily young people seeking practical agricultural skills, the four technical agricultural colleges, producers and professionals active in the sector, trainers, agricultural advisors, agribusiness coaches, and agricultural workers within ADP 4 farms.

The second specific objective of the project benefits local and national institutions, such as the Ministry of Living Environment and Transport, responsible for Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and the National Climate Fund.

Target geographical area

With regard to the first specific objective, the project focuses on ADP 4, which includes the departments of Borgou Sud, Donga, Zou and Collines.

Regarding the second specific objective, the CFU operates at the national level to strengthen Benin’s access to financing for climate priorities identified by the government. In addition, in order to enhance synergies between the two specific objectives, part of the funding for eligible and selected projects is allocated to the development of bankable green projects within PDA 4.

Stakeholders

The project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Agence de développement de l’enseignement technique, the Autorité d’enregistrement des projets carbone, the local authorities of ADP 4 and various private sector actors.