Pollinators are small, industrious animals that rarely manage to get onto the agenda of policymakers and other stakeholders yet there is real need for a policy environment that recognises the quiet, fundamental role that pollination plays in food security and biodiversity conservation.

The project will produce and develop public awareness tools aimed to empower stakeholders in long-term sustainable conservation and utilization of pollinators in selected areas of Benin. Specifically, the project will achieve the following goals:

- Document pollinators of the cowpea and the shea tree and indigenous wild related plants in agroecosystems and protected areas around Lama Forest and National Park of Pendjari in the Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari.

- Demonstrate through a case study based on plants listed above how important pollination service is for livelihoods of local communities

- Produce stimulating, informational awareness and technical material that will be used as tools to sensitise stakeholders on the conservation and sustainable use of pollinators in Benin given that communication is one of the most important means to promote any conservation project, especially the ones without long-term financial support.

- Train a network of selected NGOs and forestry, agronomists and wildlife officers on pollinators’ conservation and sustainable use.

This project will efficiently contribute to biodiversity conservation by reinforcing the perception of stakeholders on pollinator’s conservation and their engagement for nature conservation.