The Bissap project promotes 150,000 intermediate improved cookstoves, transforming household cooking practices across rural communities in Benin. Women in rural communities often rely on traditional open-fire cooking, commonly known as the "three-stone fire", which uses wood as a fuel. This method is thermally inefficient, unhealthy, and drives forest degradation. The project focuses on women's empowerment through time savings while reducing deforestation pressure and indoor air pollution. Improved cookstoves significantly reduce the daily wood consumption of households, contributing to reducing pressure on forest ecosystems and decreasing deforestation. The project will positively impact the livelihood of women by reducing the time spent on collecting wood and cooking time, while improving their health by reducing significantly indoor pollution. A 40 000€/year envelop is dedicated to community-projects selected after consultation with the communities.
Activities
Cookstove promotion: Deployment of 150,000 intermediate improved cookstoves designed for local cooking practices
Women's time savings: Significant reduction in wood collection and cooking time enabling other productive activities
Community projects: 40 000€/year envelop to invest in community projects selected through consultations with the communities
Measurable impact on health by reducing indoor pollution
Time savings for 150,000 women through reduced fuel collection and cooking time
Creation of 40 full-time equivalent jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and training
Up to 3.8 million tons of CO2e avoided over 15 years through reduced biomass burning
Reduction of pressure on forest ecosystems through decreased wood consumption
Saouda SOUMANOU
Bissap improved cookstove user, 45 years old, Parakou
I used to use three stones, but since I started using the stove, I've been saving money. Before, I could buy 1,000 CFA francs worth of wood, but now I only spend 500 CFA francs. I use the money I save to buy soap and detergent. The stove is good.
