The Cooperative Model Building Inclusive and Sustainable Communities in West Africa

The project supports inclusive and green growth in Côte d’Ivoire Senegal and Ghana by strengthening co operatives with particular focus on vulnerable populations and women. It supports the implementation of five model co-operatives in the housing and agri-food sectors. By the end of the project the five entrepreneurial model co-operatives are expected to continue growing autonomously and reach even more households in their respective economic sectors. The project aims to build the skills and capacities of men and women foster climate-smart economic activities and facilitate access to funding for co-operatives. The project will therefore increase social and economic opportunities for women by enhancing their economic power. Women leaders play a key role in the project. Project activities include: (1) training and capacity building for participants (co-operative members co operative leaders elected officials and managers); (2) acquiring and installing community infrastructure technology and facilities to meet environmental challenges arising from climate change; (3) creating activities that are specifically aimed at women including leadership training and mentoring for women; and (4) developing a training program for elected officials and co operative leader members on the importance of women’s active participation in decision-making bodies.

The expected outcomes of this projects include: (1) improved women’s participation in decision-making in households and co operatives particularly with respect to economic activities and environmental considerations; (2) improved performance of co operatives in delivering products and services that meet the needs of women and men in member households in light of climactic and environmental realities; and (3) strengthened national and local support structures for co operatives in the targeted countries and economic sectors.