Arts & Social Impact trip · Vodun Days, Ouidah · January 2–9, 2027
A Meeting of Changemakers.
Artists, community leaders and those who support them, together in Benin.
The journey
Across Benin, artists, community leaders and grassroots organizations are doing remarkable work. They preserve heritage, open space for young creatives, and build their communities on their own terms. Most of them work far from the spotlight, with few resources.
This January, NO-ID/Entity is bringing a small group of donors, patrons, heritage seekers and impact-minded travelers to meet them. Over eight days we'll visit studios, community spaces and sites of memory. We'll listen and learn what our hosts are building and what would help them go further.
Together with our hosts, we're building a cross-continental community that links Benin's cultural ecosystem with supporters across the diaspora. That means introducing artists and organizations to new patrons and partners, opening paths for collaboration and exchange, and directing lasting support to the people doing the work. Each journey adds to that network, so every visit leaves the ecosystem richer than we found it.
We travel during Vodun Days in Ouidah, when one of Africa's great living traditions comes alive. But the heart of this journey is people: the relationships we build, and what they make possible.
Why Benin
Benin is more than its history. It is one of the youngest nations on earth, where most people are under 25, and one of West Africa's fastest-growing economies. A new generation of artists, entrepreneurs and community builders is turning creativity into livelihoods, opening studios and cultural spaces, and building ties across the continent and the diaspora. For those who want to engage with Africa's future, Benin offers something rare: the chance to connect early, directly and on fair terms with the people building it.
A living tradition and place of memory.
Benin is heir to the Kingdom of Dahomey , a civilization of royal artists, record-keepers and women warriors , and home to Vodun, a living tradition that has endured for centuries as a source of identity, spirituality and art for millions across Benin and the diaspora. Today a new generation of artists and cultural leaders is turning that inheritance into something living: new work, new institutions, and a new place for Benin in Africa’s cultural future.
A story reclaimed.
In 2021, the royal treasures of Abomey came home after more than a century away , a living example of a people telling its own story. From Cotonou to Porto-Novo, a new generation of artists and cultural spaces is shaping what Africa’s cultural future looks like, while many in the diaspora find in Benin a place of ancestral connection and, for Afro-descendants, a rare path to citizenship.
Who should come
This trip is for people who want to engage with Benin with purpose:
Heritage seekers
Members of the diaspora reconnecting with ancestral roots and Benin's living traditions, with care and context.
Curious travelers
Who want to know Benin beyond the surface, guided by those who call it home.
Philanthropists, donors and impact investors
Looking for meaningful ways to support work on the ground.
Patrons, collectors and cultural leaders
Who champion socially engaged art.
Anyone ready to build lasting ties with Benin
Who doesn't know where to start.
This is not a party trip or a sightseeing tour. We're looking for travelers who arrive curious, listen generously, and want to stay involved beyond the trip.
What to expect
Meet the makers.
Small-group visits with socially engaged artists, galleries, studios and independent cultural spaces.
Hear from community leaders.
Conversations with grassroots organizations about their work, their needs and their vision.
Walk sites of memory.
Ouidah's Route des Esclaves and Door of No Return, the royal palaces of Abomey, and Porto-Novo.
Experience Vodun Days.
Take part in the celebration with respect, context and guidance.
Gather as equals.
Shared meals and evenings where guests and hosts meet as one community.
Build what comes next.
Join a growing network connecting Benin's artists and organizations with supporters across the diaspora, with clear ways to support, collaborate and return.
How we work
Our hosts lead.
The artists, leaders and communities we visit shape what we see and how we see it.
We pay fairly.
Every artist, host and guide is compensated for their time and knowledge.
We hire locally.
Our guides, drivers and services come from the communities we visit.
We ask first.
We ask before photographing, filming or naming anyone. Some conversations will be private, and we honor that.
We build for the long term.
Every visit is meant to start a relationship. We make introductions, support collaborations and keep resources flowing to our hosts long after the trip.
What's included
- Accommodation for 9 nights in Cotonou / Ouidah
- Ground transportation with a local driver
- Guided visits to all sites and partner spaces
- Breakfast and lunch meals
- Honoraria for artists and hosts
- Pre-trip briefing and membership in our post-trip community
- Passes to Vodun Days
Not included: International flights, e-visa, yellow fever vaccination, travel insurance, personal expenses.
Trip cost: $5,000 per person · Deposit of $2,500 due by November 20, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Changemakers?
Changemakers are the artists, leaders and supporters who turn care for a community into lasting action. In Benin, they are the creatives, organizers and keepers of tradition shaping their communities on their own terms. Around the world, they are the people ready to stand with them, through resources, relationships and a long-term commitment.
How many people are travelling?
This is an intimate group of travelers, so every visit stays personal and respectful. We will have no more than 15 participants.
Do I need to be a donor to join?
No. We welcome anyone who shares our values and wants to engage with purpose. There will be opportunities to support the people we meet, but no obligation.
What happens after the trip?
You'll join a community of travelers, artists and hosts connected across continents. We share updates from the people we met, make introductions for collaborations and support, and invite you to future gatherings and journeys.
What travel documents do I need?
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, a Benin e-visa, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate. We'll send a full checklist when you join.
Is this trip physically demanding?
Expect heat, long drives and full days. Please tell us about any accessibility needs and we'll plan around them.
I don’t speak French. Will there be a translator?
Yes, don’t worry! Someone who speaks both French and English will be with the group for every activity. Although, this is a great opportunity to brush up on your French!
Can I take photos and post on social media?
Yes, with care. Always ask before photographing people, and follow our guidelines on sharing. We'll go over these together before the trip.
Is Benin safe to visit?
Southern Benin, where we’ll spend the whole trip (Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Abomey), is welcoming and calm for visitors. As in any city, we ask participants to stay aware of their surroundings. We work with trusted local guides and drivers throughout.
How do I join?
Complete our short application. We review every application personally and will follow up with a conversation.
Travel ApplicationDo I have to join for the full trip?
No. The full journey runs from January 1 to 10, 2027, but you’re welcome to join for any part of it, whether that’s a few days or a week. The price will be adjusted to match the length of your stay. For questions about shorter stays, email us at contact@no-identity.org.
I already live in Benin or West Africa. Can I join?
Absolutely! We’d love to have you with us. This trip is designed by and for Africans, whether on the continent or in the diaspora. Join for the whole trip or just a few days, and we’ll adjust the price to fit what you need (for example, if you don’t need a hotel). Just fill out the application, and feel free to reach out at contact@no-identity.org with any questions.
Join a Meeting of Changemakers.
Application deadline: November 20, 2026.
Questions? Write to us at contact@no-identity.org
Spots are limited. Reach out through our contact form and tell us a little about yourself and what draws you to this journey.
Travel Application