Volunteer Sending 2015-20

Funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by UPA-Développement international, this volunteer-sending project makes it possible to send 282 volunteer advisors abroad. The project helps to improve the economic and social well-being of poor and marginalised communities in eight developing countries (including four West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal) by sending Canadian agricultural advisors and entrepreneurs who volunteer their expertise. Volunteer placements are in the form of training, consulting support and studies conducted in co-operation with partner organisations to support some of their activities. The project is aimed at improving the productivity and profitability of family farms in these countries while strengthening the performance and governance of the organizations that support them. These organisations can then provide family farms with economically viable services and better meet their needs. To foster local empowerment, UPA Développement international’s support focuses essentially on building the capacities of the members and leaders of agricultural entrepreneur organisations. The project also includes a component for outreach to Canadians, and aims to equip agricultural advisors and entrepreneurs so they can conduct communications activities to raise the Canadian public’s awareness of the importance of international cooperation.

Global objective

Improve the economic and social well-being of poor and marginalised communities in eight developing countries by sending Canadian entrepreneurs and agricultural advisers who share their expertise as volunteers.

Expected results

Increased capacity of developing country partners to deliver sustainable development results, in response to local needs, by making use of the skills and expertise of qualified Canadian volunteers ;
Enhanced Canadians’ participation in Canada’s sustainable development efforts.

Duration

5 years : 12/05/2015 - 31/03/2020

Localisation

Volunteers are sent to four West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal.

Beneficiaries

Members and leaders of agricultural entrepreneur organisations
Canadian public

Budget

CAD 5.7 million

Implementation

UPA – Développement international

Find out more

Country

Benin
Burkina Faso
Mali
Senegal

Topics

Agriculture & value chains
Climate, climate change & adaptation
Environment
Food security & zero hunger
Governance & capacity-building
Livestock & pastoralism
Local actors & livelihoods
Natural resource management
Water & sanitation

Targets

Artisanal fishermen
Institutions
Pastoralists & Agro-pastoralists
Poor workers in the informal economy
Vulnerable small-scale farmers

Agir Pillars

Pillar 3: Sustainably improve agricultural and food productivity and the incomes of the most vulnerable households and improve access to food
Pillar 4: Strengthen governance in food and nutrition security

Scales

Local
National