About Benkadi

Benkadi is a strategic partnership between organisations from the North and the South. The inhabitants of four African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mali, are involved in policy-making, planning and implementation of activities related to dealing with climate change in their countries. Benkadi means 'working together in the same direction'. 

The Benkadi project is special because from the beginning the choice was made to leave the leadership with the local partners. The strength, culture and creativity of the local partners is thus challenged and optimally used. Southern leadership is the strength of this project. Of course, the southern leadership must meet the standards set by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The organisation of financial resources is also organised in the South, namely through an independent Financial Shared Service Centre. It organises, monitors and reports. 

Every country has its own accent 
Each of the four countries has its own set of problems and therefore we place different emphases. The overarching problem is that more and more people are facing extreme poverty as a result of climate change. With this project, we give the 'ordinary people' a voice in politics. We also focus specifically on women, young people and the disabled. 

Changing living environment
Climate change is changing the living environment of the inhabitants of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mali. This is happening due to global, but also local climate change. For example, by deforestation and by the use of chemicals in gold mining. All this makes it increasingly difficult for local communities to make a living, as they are very dependent on natural resources. Many inhabitants of these countries are farmers. Larger fluctuations in rainfall have a negative effect on their harvest.