The Yaounde Initiative is a unique programme with an innovative approach to reducing key constraints on socio-economic development in Africa. It is doing this by providing integrated solutions to:

1. devastating human diseases carried by key vectors such as:

• blackflies (transmitting river blindness - known as onchocerciasis)
• mosquitoes (transmitting malaria and other diseases)
• severe nuisance insects and other disease vectors
  

2. crop losses caused by pests, diseases and weeds

3. human and environmental problems caused by inappropriate pesticide responses to these vectors and pests

The Foundation is not a research organisation seeking new solutions to the above problems. Rather it is a facilitating agency using a five step model to target the right technologies on real problems, and to bring about practical, positive, lasting change in rural communities:

Step 1. Clearly define problems through structured surveys

Step 2. Identify effective and acceptable technologies and approaches

Step 3. Validate the technologies and approaches in rural areas

Step 4. Package the technologies into integrated programmes

Step 5. Disseminate and implement with community participation in collaboration with partners