The objectives of the project are to improve the operational performance of the national power distribution utility of Benin; expand electricity access in targeted areas; and promote community-based management of forest resources.

One of the project’s 4 components is about woodfuel, i.e. community-based management of wood fuels for reducing the pressure on northern Benin forests by building on and expanding into new regions the successful gender-sensitive, community-based, forest management practices. The component with a funding allocation of USD5 million consists of two sub-components: (i) sustainable management of forestry resources in the Moyen and Haut Ouémé basin regions; and (ii) development of quality standards for improved cook stoves.