About this project

The J2ERC-Bonou project aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations in the village of Azongbossa, in the commune of Bonou, against increasing risks of flooding and drowning. These hazards disproportionately affect sensitive groups such as children, women, and people with disabilities, who are often the most exposed during natural disasters.
To address these risks, the project will mobilize 20 young volunteers, trained in flood risk prevention and disaster awareness. These youth will play a key role in community education and outreach, organizing interactive workshops in the local language to promote safety and drowning prevention practices. By empowering youth to take the lead, the project fosters local ownership and sustainability.
The project also puts a strong focus on women’s health and dignity by training 100 girls and women in menstrual hygiene management. Each participant will receive a reusable menstrual hygiene kit, designed to be practical, especially during flooding seasons when access to clean water and sanitary products may be limited. This component aims to improve women’s health, self-confidence, and autonomy, while addressing a topic often neglected in disaster response efforts.
In addition, J2ERC-Bonou will carry out a sanitation and reforestation campaign along the banks of the Ouémé River. Community members will be engaged in planting mangroves, contributing to erosion control, environmental protection, and increased flood resilience. This participatory activity also promotes social cohesion, uniting local stakeholders around a shared environmental goal.
The project adopts a collaborative approach, working closely with local partners including the Network of Women Professionals for Water and Sanitation (RBFPEA) and the Benin Red Cross. These partnerships will provide essential technical expertise and support, strengthening the impact and long-term sustainability of the project.
To ensure continuity, a training-of-trainers model will be implemented among the youth volunteers. These trained leaders will be equipped to transfer their knowledge to other members of the community, enabling the project’s ripple effect to continue beyond its initial phase. A community-based monitoring committee will track progress, evaluate outcomes, and recommend adjustments to address emerging needs.
In summary, J2ERC-Bonou is designed not only to respond to the immediate vulnerabilities caused by floods but also to build long-term resilience through youth leadership, inclusive health education, environmental action, and strong local partnerships. By investing in the capacity of young people and promoting inclusive practices, the project lays the groundwork for a healthier, safer, and more united community, better equipped to face the challenges of climate change and disaster risk.

Goals and Objectives

The main objective of this project is to strengthen the resilience of populations vulnerable to the risks of flooding in the village of Azongbossa, in the commune of Bonou. More specifically, it will involve establishing a group of 20 young volunteers dedicated to preventing the risks of flooding and drowning, training 100 young girls and women in good menstrual hygiene practices while providing them with hygiene kits, and organising a campaign to clean up and reforest the banks of the river Ouémé. The beneficiaries include 20 young people selected for their energy and civic commitment, who will play a key role during the floods. The local community, particularly children and people with disabilities, will also be targeted because of their vulnerability to flood risks. The 100 girls and women targeted will benefit from training that will improve their health and confidence in times of crisis, while promoting their empowerment. The effects of the project will be sustained through the training of trainers, enabling the young volunteers to share their knowledge. Regular awareness-raising activities will be integrated into the community programmes, supported by local partnerships to provide resources and expertise. The involvement of the local council, and in particular the disaster risk focal point, is essential to ensure the sustainability of the initiative. A monitoring system will be set up to assess the impact of the actions and make the necessary adjustments. This project also has the potential to be extended to other villages in the commune of Bonou, thus building resilience and improving menstrual hygiene throughout the region, while fostering a network of solidarity between communities.

Expected result

Establishing a group of 20 young volunteers: By the end of the project, a group of 20 young volunteers will be set up, dedicated to flood and drowning risk prevention. This group will include young people of various ages and genders, ensuring a balanced representation. Each member will take part in a minimum of 2 awareness-raising workshops over the course of the project. The impact of these actions will be measured by a questionnaire administered to the community, showing a 70% increase in awareness of the risks of flooding and drowning.

Training 100 young girls and women: The project will train 100 young girls and women in good menstrual hygiene practices. Each participant will receive a menstrual hygiene and sanitation kit. At the end of the training, an assessment will be carried out to measure the knowledge acquired, with a target of an 80% improvement on a knowledge test administered before the training. In addition, follow-up will be carried out to ensure that 90% of participants use the kits provided, guaranteeing a tangible impact on their health and well-being.

Sanitation and Reforestation Campaign: A sanitation and reforestation campaign will be carried out along the banks of the Ouémé River, involving at least 100 community members. The goal is to plant 200 red mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle) along the riverbanks and clean up 1 kilometer of shoreline. The success of this initiative will be measured by the number of trees effectively planted and the quantity of waste collected, with progress reports at each stage to ensure transparency in monitoring. This process will also contribute to improving the local environment and reducing riverbank erosion risks.

Assessment of Community Resilience Impact: At the end of the project, an impact evaluation will be conducted to assess the overall effect of the actions on the community’s resilience to flooding and drowning risks. A 70% community satisfaction rate is expected. The evaluation will be based on questionnaires and interviews with community members, providing both qualitative and quantitative data on the progress achieved.

Sustainability of the Initiatives: To ensure the sustainability of the results, a follow-up plan will be implemented. This will include quarterly meetings for the youth volunteers and regular awareness-raising sessions. The aim is to engage at least 50% of the youth volunteers in these post-project activities (if funding is available), ensuring that the knowledge acquired continues to be shared within the community. Additionally, partnerships with local organizations will be established to support these efforts in the long term.

About me / organisation
Brunelle Eunice Toyin ICOUTCHIKA

Brunelle Eunice Toyin ICOUTCHIKA is a hydrogeological engineer and Gender Equality Promotion Officer at the Benin Chapter of the World Youth Parliament for Water (RB/PMJE). At 25 years old, she leads this project with her team. She has participated in several reforestation activities, including the Atidogbè project in Porto-Novo, which encouraged youth to plant trees, monitor growth with digital sensors, and maintain seedlings. Brunelle also organizes workshops to build youth capacity, focusing on the Water–Peace–Security Nexus and community resilience to climate change.

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