Songdo, Incheon: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced a significant investment of over $130 million in two new projects aimed at bolstering climate resilience and promoting sustainable development in Kenya and Serbia. The initiatives, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will provide vital support to vulnerable communities facing the escalating challenges of climate change.
The announcement, made during the 41st GCF Board meeting, marks a crucial step in accelerating climate action and fostering sustainable agrifood systems. “This landmark decision underscores the strength of FAO’s partnership with GCF and our central role in accelerating countries’ access to climate finance,” stated Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment.
Kenya: Transforming Agriculture, Empowering Communities
In Kenya, a $50 million project will focus on transforming agricultural value chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, a densely populated area heavily reliant on agriculture. The region faces severe climate change impacts, including unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures, threatening food security and livelihoods.
The initiative will benefit 2.7 million people, half of whom are women, by promoting climate-resilient and low-carbon practices in key agricultural sectors such as dairy, poultry, and coffee. Over 143,000 farmers will receive training and support to adopt climate-smart technologies, boosting their resilience and increasing household incomes.
“The Kenyan government greatly appreciates FAO Kenya’s crucial support in building climate resilience within the agricultural sector,” said John Mbadi, Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury. The project, implemented in collaboration with the Kenyan government, Agriterra, and Denmark, will also improve market access and finance for farmers, promote sustainable land management, and create thousands of jobs.
Serbia: Safeguarding Forests, Ensuring Energy Security
In Serbia, an $84 million project will focus on enhancing the resilience of the country’s forests, contributing to energy security and supporting the livelihoods of 3.6 million people, representing over half of the nation’s population. This marks Serbia’s first single-country GCF investment.
The initiative will promote sustainable forest management, climate-adaptive silviculture, and the development of a carbon finance framework. With nearly 40 percent of Serbia’s population relying on fuelwood, the project will address the pressure on forests by supporting afforestation, converting degraded forests, and training forest managers in climate-adaptive practices.
“Serbia is committed to a future where forests are protected, energy is secure, and economic growth is sustainable,” said Aleksandar Martinović, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Serbia. The project, implemented in partnership with the Serbian government, will also engage the private sector in sustainable biomass value chains and mobilize private finance to support the decarbonization of agribusinesses.
These projects represent a significant step towards achieving global climate goals and building a more sustainable future for vulnerable communities in Kenya and Serbia. The FAO-GCF partnership, now exceeding $1.5 billion, continues to drive impactful climate action across the globe.
