| Project Name | CSO’s Contribution to the Success of SDG’s Localization in Benin |
| Commisioned by | Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |
| Country | Benin |
| Implementing Organisation | Maison de la Société Civile (MdSC) – www.mdscbenin.org |
| Duration | November 2021 – April 2023 |
The Challenge
National Cluster of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs): In Benin, civil society has become a major non-state actor in democratic processes. CSOs are structured into eight thematic pools according to the sectors they are active in and the pillars of the 2030 Agenda. These pools are organised at different levels: national, departmental and communal.
SDG Priorities at the Communal Level: According to the Directorate General for Coordination and Monitoring of the SDGs, 60 % of the implementation of the SDGs depends on the local level and context. However, many CSOs are not aware that the SDGs are implemented at the local level and are not informed about SDGs that are prioritized in each commune. According to the 2020 alternative report on monitoring the implementation of the SDGs, eight out of ten CSOs were not aware of the SDGs targeted by their communes.
The Objective
The aim of the project is to strengthen CSOs involved in the implementation of the SDGs. By making CSOs actors of citizen watch for the success of SDGs localization in Benin, the monitoring of local development policies can be improved. The influence of CSOs on development issues is strengthened, thus creating a synergy of actions.
The Target Group
The project targets 30 municipalities spread all over Benin.
The target group is divided into two categories: the direct target groups are the members of the thematic pools in which the Beninese CSOs are organised. The indirect target groups are the national and local authorities at the local and national levels as well as the population at grassroots level.
About MdSC
The Maison de la Société Civile du Bénin promotes Civil Society Organisations in Benin to contribute to development actions that can improve the quality of citizens’ life.
The vision of MdSC is to establish a society through which non-state actors participate in dialogue processes with the state in the definition, implementation and monitoring of Benin’s development programmes and policies.
Website: www.mdscbenin.org
The Approach
Capacity Building of CSOs: Initially, CSOs benefit from three training modules: (i) Training on the use of Community Score Cards; (ii) Training on the human rights-based approach; (iii) Training on results-based management to enhance their effectiveness in tracking results.
Introducing Community Score Cards (CSC): The project will implement the CSC methodology to enable feedback to different authorities on SDG implementation and related challenges. CSC form the basis for collecting information in 30 communes to organise advocacy and seek solutions at departmental and national levels. By using CSC, CSOs can increase their knowledge and collect data. At the same time, grassroots communities can share give their opinion on the services offered to them in the presence of service providers.
Enhancing Dialogue: In the second phase of the project evaluation sessions are held in the 30 communes before dialogue is initiated at the departmental and national levels. These sessions bring together CSOs, providers at the communal level and the population. In doing so, a feedback mechanism is implemented from grassroots communities to authorities.
Additionally, multi-stakeholder dialogues at the national level are initiated. The workshops will be held online.
The Results
- 30 Municipalities assessed the local SDG implementation via Community Score Cards (CSCs)
- Members of 120 CSOs were trained in the use of CSCs, the human rights-based approach and results-based manage-ment to monitor local SDG implementation
- 30 evaluation sessions were conducted at the local level
- Several department dialogue sessions and national dialogue sessions were conducted