Green Climate Fund approves $60m for climate-resilient projects in Benin, The Gambia

The Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have approved $60 million in funding to support climate-resilient projects in Benin and The Gambia promoting sustainable practices in vulnerable rural communities of these countries. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) will offer its expertise to both projects for the sustainable management of natural resources and to help improve the livelihoods of those threatened by the impacts of climate change. 

As a unique global platform, GCF invests in low-emission and climate-resilient development to help vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Along with its global partners, GCF catalyses climate investments to facilitate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in its efforts to achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement.  

“FAO welcomes the approval of these projects to accelerate inclusive climate action in Benin and the Gambia. We look forward to working with our partners to promote green and climate-resilient practices across the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors to help move towards more efficient, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems,” said FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo. 

GCF Executive Director Yannick Glemarec said: “GCF is proud to partner with FAO on climate-resilient projects in Benin and Gambia, which will help vulnerable rural communities to increase their resilience to climate change and to protect livelihoods in agriculture and fisheries. Furthermore, the projects will promote gender equality, help ensuring the health, safety and livelihoods of women and girls who are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts.” 

With the approval of the Ouémé Basin Climate Resilience Initiative (OCRI), FAO and partners will enhance the climate resilience of communities in the basin and improve agricultural productivity for the 61 percent of the population who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.  

The $35 million for this six-year project will reduce the vulnerability to extreme weather events and climate disruptions facing rural communities. Through climate-resilient agriculture and agroforestry in the Ouémé Basin, approximately 330 000 small-scale farmers stand to directly benefit from these activities. 

An integrated approach of low-carbon and climate-resilient basin management, along with the strengthening of climate resilient value chains for maize, shea, mango and cashew, will ensure the project’s long-term sustainability and future impact.  

Enhanced climate-resilient land and water practices will be applied on an area of 95 000 hectares in the basin. The project efforts will indirectly benefit the Basin’s 6 million people.