The Nubian Vault project, launched in 1998 by a French mason and a Burkinabe farmer, addresses the severe housing crisis in the Sahel by reviving an ancient Nubian earth-based construction technique. By using raw earth instead of wood or metal, the project promotes sustainable, low-carbon housing adapted to climate change. AVN (Association la Voûte Nubienne) has simplified the technique for easy adoption and peer learning. The initiative focuses on:

• Training local masons to create a skilled workforce.
• Raising awareness within communities about Nubian Vault’s benefits.
• Partnering with grassroots organizations to ensure community-driven implementation.
• Advocacy to promote affordable, climate-resilient housing policies.
• Developing financial mechanisms, leveraging the voluntary carbon market to support vulnerable populations’ access to Nubian Vault homes.

Nubian Vault homes significantly improve living conditions for rural Sahel communities:

• Thermal insulation provides comfort in extreme temperatures.
• Economic opportunities arise through job creation for masons, particularly during the agricultural off-season.
• Women’s empowerment, with 50% of Nubian Vault beneficiaries being women. Since its inception, AVN has trained 4,000 artisans and built 7,000 NV homes, benefiting thousands. The project fosters sustainable development, community resilience, and economic growth, creating a lasting impact.

The initiative ensures local ownership by:

• Training masons and involving communities in construction.
• Encouraging financial and labor contributions from beneficiaries.
• Strengthening climate resilience, economic stability, and social cohesion.

AVN actively advocates for Nubian Vault’s inclusion in national policies, vocational training programs, and housing regulations. It collaborates with governments and NGOs and has formed coalitions, particularly in Burkina Faso, to promote Nubian Vault adoption at scale.