Source: 

http://www.ecoecolo.org

TAI partners discussing work at the Benin capacity building workshop

Being a part of a global network such as The Access Initiative has allowed us to work with our government to help address access rights. The network provides tools necessary for working with our government to make informed policy recommendations.

We first started our TAI activities by forming a coalition of partners including people from local non-profit organizations. We then hosted a training on the TAI standardized tool, developed by the global network, for assessing environmental laws and practice http://research.accessinitiative.org/. At the event where we determined the different environmental cases we would cover in the assessment. Such environmental cases include: atmospheric pollution, sound pollution, the management of the dams, desertification and drinking water issues. Opening remarks for the launch were made by the Ministry of Environment and Conservation. Because we undertook the TAI assessment we were able to make recommendations to the government of Benin on reforming policies based on the gaps identified in the research.

In the coming months we hope to work with our government to implement recommendations and help facilitate better environmental governance standards and practices through advocacy and trainings.

For more on the Access Initiative in Benin and the activities of Eco Ecolo the leading TAI partner in Benin please visit the Ecoecolo website: www.ecoecolo.org