About us
RACED is a Beninese non-governmental organisation founded in 2020 in Parakou. It works to reconcile environmental conservation and community empowerment in northern Benin, with particular attention to women, young people and vulnerable groups.
Registration no. 2020-4/047/PDB/SGD/SAG/SA
Born of one observation: the North's ecosystems and the communities that depend on them are weakening together.
RACED was founded in 2020 against a backdrop of mounting environmental challenges and urgent needs for sustainable development in Benin. The starting point is simple: in the north of the country, soil degradation, deforestation and climate variability hit rural households first — and above all women, who depend most directly on natural resources.
Rather than pit conservation against development, the organisation chose to address them together. Applied research to understand ecological and social dynamics; community action to change practices; rigorous monitoring to prove what works.
Since then RACED has run projects restoring fragile ecosystems, conserving sacred forests with communities, empowering women economically and developing sustainable market gardening in eleven communes of Alibori, Atacora and Borgou.
Our mission
To promote sustainable development by integrating environmental conservation and the empowerment of local communities. We support vulnerable populations towards responsible management of natural resources and environmentally sound economic initiatives, while advancing social justice, equity and gender equality.
Our vision
A world where natural resources are protected and managed sustainably, where communities live in harmony with their environment and enjoy autonomous, equitable development — and where everyone, whatever their gender, origin or circumstances, plays an active part in protecting nature.
Our goal
To harmonise environmental conservation and the empowerment of local communities so as to reach a lasting ecological and social balance in the territories where we work.
Our specific objectives
- Promote ecological and sustainable practices that protect the environment and natural resources
- Support local, vulnerable and marginalised communities to improve their well-being and autonomy
- Fight social and economic inequality
- Promote the emancipation and empowerment of women and girls
- Promote sustainable agriculture, food security and agroecology
- Encourage the conservation and restoration of ecosystems
- Strengthen community resilience to climate change
- Foster local economic development and poverty reduction
- Raise awareness and educate on environmental and social issues
Eleven principles that frame every intervention
Respect for the environment
Preserving and restoring ecosystems: reforestation, protection of watercourses, promotion of biodiversity.
Integrity
Dignity, reliability, sincerity and honesty, to earn the trust of communities and partners.
Solidarity
Working hand in hand with communities, respecting their knowledge and involving them at every stage.
Transparency
Regular reporting on activities, results and the use of funds.
Accountability
Owning our actions and their effects on the environment and communities, with rigorous management.
Innovation
Seeking lasting, effective solutions by combining new technologies and participatory methods.
Community engagement
Active participation of residents in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects.
Professionalism
Interventions grounded in expertise and adapted to local realities.
Participation
Beneficiaries, community organisations, local authorities and partners involved in every intervention.
Plurality
Working with partners of all cultural, religious or political backgrounds.
Sustainability
Results that keep benefiting communities long after projects end.
Three bodies, clear responsibilities
RACED is an association governed by the law of 1 July 1901 as applicable in Benin. Its Ordinary General Assembly meets every year to approve the accounts and set direction; the most recent was held on 21 November 2024.
General Assembly
Brings together active members. Approves the accounts, elects the Board and sets annual priorities.
Board of Directors
Provides strategic oversight and represents the organisation. Its members are elected by the General Assembly.
Executive Directorate
Leads strategy and day-to-day management. Eight people from a range of professional backgrounds, under the Executive Director.
A team organised in four departments
The operational team counts fourteen field staff and six interns — specialists in conservation, natural resource management, community development and women's empowerment — supported by field facilitators in each commune.
Programmes
- Design and initiatives
- Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL)
- Project operations
Research, innovation and knowledge
- Environment and biodiversity
- Socio-economics and gender
- Data analysis and capitalisation
Administration and finance
- Accounting
- Administration
- Human resources
- Quality assurance
Communication and advocacy
- Institutional communication
- Advocacy
- Capitalisation and field stories
- Partnerships and resource mobilisation
Participatory, data-driven, built to last
Every intervention starts with an assessment carried out with communities, local authorities and technical services. Beneficiaries take part in design, implementation and evaluation: that is the condition for ownership and durability.
We combine scientific research, digital monitoring tools (geo-referenced databases, KoboToolbox) and traditional knowledge. Every project has measurable objectives that are tracked and evaluated regularly.
We work in synergy with government agencies and decentralised state services — ATDA, DDAEP, DGPRN, social promotion centres — as well as town halls, civil society organisations and research institutions.
RACED in the field
Village assemblies, awareness sessions, nutrition monitoring, hygiene and nurseries: a few moments from our work in northern Benin.
Legal status and registration
RACED is a non-governmental organisation under Beninese law, registered with the Prefecture of the Borgou Department under NGO declaration receipt no. 2020-4/047/PDB/SGD/SAG/SA of 30 August 2020, with its statutory head office in Parakou. Its main office is now in Cotonou, with bases in Parakou, Natitingou and Kandi and a field office in Malanville.
Its statutes, internal rules and the minutes of its constituent general assembly date from 7 July 2020. Registration under the new 2025 law on associations and NGOs is in progress.
Our annual activity and financial reports are available under Publications.
- 2020
Constituent general assembly on 7 July; registration receipt issued by the Borgou Prefecture on 30 August.
- 2023
Launch of PCGeDEF (fragile ecosystems) and implementation of VALOCOF (sacred forests). 289 direct beneficiaries.
- 2024
Three major projects in eleven communes: PCGeDEF, PA2FV and Sustainable Gardening. 862 direct beneficiaries, 9,253 people reached.
- 2025
PCGeDEF closes; AGIRE project designed for Malanville.
- 2026
AGIRE starts; new visual identity and launch of raced.ong.