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The Nubian Vault Association
:
Burkina Faso
Sustainable housing for as many people as possible, as soon as possible
Project description
The Nubian Vault Association (Associa-
tion la Voûte Nubienne, AVN) off ers a
global solution aimed at resolving
housing problems in the Sahel zone.
The solution draws on an ancestral
building technique that does not use
wood, sheet metal or cement, and can
be mastered by skilled masons
according to the local market situation.
Business model
AVN has developed an innovative solution to housing
problems in the Sahel zone. AVN contacts local ins-
titutions and informs them about its new approach, “1
roof, 1 skill, 1 market”: “1 roof” refers to the Nubian vault,
a construction technique developed by AVN that can be
used to build sustainable housing. “1 skill” refers to the
fact that AVN has standardised the technique used by
skilled masons, who in turn train apprentices. “1 market”
refers to the involvement of local extension agents
trained to raise awareness about the AVN concept.
The local institutions contract with AVN’s local extension
agents to pass on this approach to members of the
community and stimulate demand for the comfortable,
robust and environmentally friendly housing constructed
using this new technique. Networks of such extension
agents enable the large scale dissemination of the
Nubian vault market.
Scaling up activities in 2012
Increase the market for Nubian vaults in the Boromo
region, Burkina Faso
Stimulate markets in new regions in countries where
the initiative is already established
Expand into new West and East African countries,
particularly Benin and Zambia
Train new extension agents – both in-house agents
and franchisees – to stimulate existing markets and
enable greater geographical coverage
Immediate needs
Financial support and expertise for training new and
existing extension agents
Financial assistance to support extension projects
currently underway as well as pilot projects
New partnerships with local organisations, both public
and private
Technical support and advice on improving the
programme’s development strategy and global
marketing strategy
www.seedinit.org
SEED Awards 2011
for entrepreneurship in sustainable development
WINNER
SEED Awards 2011
for entrepreneurship in sustainable development
Partnership
Association la Voûte Nubienne – Burkina Faso
(AVN-BF)
is in charge of implementing AVN’s strategy
in Burkina Faso
Association la Voûte Nubienne – International
(the Nubian Vault Association, AVN)
manages the
international network of Voûte Nubienne subsidiaries
and provides technical and fi nancial support
Local NGOs (e.g. Via Nebba, Association la Tortue
Voyageuse)
support the initiative by popularising
the Nubian vault concept at the local level
The Hermès Foundation
and
Abbé Pierre Foundation
are fi nancial partners
Social, environmental and economic impacts
Social impact:
AVN helps to improve people’s living
conditions by facilitating access to sustainable, com-
fortable housing that is adapted to the local climate.
Some 7,000 people already use or live in houses with
vaulted roofs in Burkina Faso, more than 70 % of them
located in rural areas. Around 500 people benefi t
directly from lasting employment thanks to the market
for Nubian vaults. Approximately 240 Nubian vault
builders and 250 apprentices have been trained already.
Environmental impact:
The Nubian vault technique
protects the environment by providing an alternative
to the use of trees and metal sheeting – techniques
with a high carbon impact in terms of production and
transportation. So far, approximately 1,200 trees have been
saved, 10,000 metal sheets not been used and more than
2,500 tonnes of CO
2
emissions avoided.
Economic impact:
The Nubian vault technique leads to
medium and long-term savings that can be injected back
into the local economy. In addition, AVN promotes the
development of income-generating trade. 1308 Nubian
vaults have already been built, which implies an economic
impact of 990,000 USD. The Nubian vault market is
expected to grow by 35 % each year.
About the SEED Initiative
The SEED Initiative identifi es and supports promising small scale social
and environmental entrepreneurs around the globe, entrepreneurs
that while working towards a greener economy also tackle poverty,
marginalisation and social exclusion.
SEED provides these social entrepreneurs with know how and networks,
taking the lessons learnt at local level up to decision-makers to promote
evidence-based policy making.
More information: www.seedinit.org
Contact
Antoine Horellou
Email: antoine.horellou@lavoutenubienne.org,
http://lavoutenubienne.org
SEED Partners
SEED’s founding partners are the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP); IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
and SEED is hosted by UNEP-WCMC. Other current partners are
the governments of Germany, India, the Netherlands, South
Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of
America; the European Union; Conservation International; and
SEED’s corporate partner, Hisense.
SEED Secretariat
info@seedinit.org
WINNER