Tracking and assessing the socio-economic impacts of conservation funding in Benin over the long-term

Funding is important for effective biodiversity conservation. Globally, conservation funding is well below estimates of need, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, detailed information about conservation funding flows—and their effects—is very limited, which inhibits the efficient allocation of scarce financial resources and knowledge of conservation effectiveness. This study addresses these gaps in Benin, West Africa. First, conservation funding flows from 1990 to 2019 were identified and analyzed. The results showed a total of 314 conservation projects amounting to $301.04 Million (2015 Constant US Dollars), 96% of which were derived from international sources and 4% from domestic ones. Secondly, this study assessed the social-economic impacts of one of the largest funded conservation projects in Benin, the ECOPAS (“Ecosystèmes Protégés en Afrique Soudano-Sahélienne”) project in the W National Park over the long term. Findings showed that, while the project had positive ecological impacts, evidenced in the literature, the socio-economic ones were largely negative.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Res & Env Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Padonou, Christhel Sonia Jesugnon

Contributors dc:contributor

• Miller, Daniel C

• Conservation finance
• Protected areas
• W National Park
• Conservation impacts
• Benin

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Christhel Padonou

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113350

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/113350