The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved funding for two transformative projects valued at $134 million, to support adaptation and enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable agricultural communities in Somalia and Iraq.
These initiatives, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will empower millions of farmers and pastoralists to adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, and water scarcity.
“FAO is very proud to have been selected by Somalia and Iraq to support them in their first single-country climate change investments. These two projects exemplify FAO’s commitment to climate action through transforming their agriculture, especially by building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in vulnerable and fragile contexts,” said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, welcoming the news.
“By empowering vulnerable communities with the knowledge, tools, and technologies needed to adapt, we are investing in agrifood solutions that bring food security, support livelihoods, and help countries confront climate change.”
The new announcements were made during the fortieth meeting of the GCF Board held in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea from 21–24 October.
Ugbaad: Building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Somalia
Somalia faces a complex web of challenges, including poverty and conflict. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change, especially the increasingly frequent extreme weather events like droughts and floods which threaten the country’s already fragile food security.
To address this, FAO and the Somali government launched “Ugbaad” (meaning “hope” in Somali), a seven-year, $95 million project focused on building climate resilience in the agricultural sector. This landmark initiative marks the largest GCF climate investment led by FAO.
“Climate change is a matter of survival for Somalia,” said Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The Climate Resilient Agriculture project, backed by the Green Climate Fund, will help over two million people restore our land, improve food security, and build resilience against the severe climate impacts we face today.”
Ugbaad aims to enhance the resilience of Somalia’s rural communities and ecosystems by promoting sustainable land management practices, improving access to water, introducing climate-resilient agricultural techniques and developing value chains.
The project will restore over 50,000 hectares of degraded land, train 86,000 farmers and pastoralists in climate-smart agriculture, and rehabilitate vital infrastructure like irrigation canals and rural roads.
By strengthening value chains for key agricultural products and improving access to climate information services, Ugbaad will empower communities to better cope with climate shocks and enhance their livelihoods.
With a focus on food security, the project will directly benefit 1.2 million people, with an additional 973,000 indirectly benefiting. By improving access to water and promoting sustainable farming practices, Ugbaad aims to increase food production and reduce reliance on food imports and aid.
The project also recognizes the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment, with women comprising 50 percent of the beneficiaries.
Beyond its immediate impact on climate resilient agricultural practices, Ugbaad is designed to foster long-term sustainability and peacebuilding in Somalia.
By strengthening governance structures, improving climate information systems, and promoting community participation, the project will contribute to a more stable and resilient society.
The knowledge and experience gained through Ugbaad can also serve as a valuable model for other fragile countries facing similar climate challenges.
Bringing water and life to Iraq’s drylands
In Iraq, where rising temperatures and water shortages challenge political rebuilding efforts, the FAO-led “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Livelihoods in Iraq’s Rural Communities” (SRVALI) project has received a $29.25 million grant from the GCF, with a total project value of $38.95 million. This six-year initiative focuses on water-use efficiency, climate-resilient agriculture, and empowering women as community change agents.
SRVALI addresses climate-related water and food security issues in Karbala, Muthanna, and Najaf—regions vulnerable due to arid climates and reliance on agriculture. The project includes climate-adaptive infrastructure like improved irrigation, solar panels on farms, and training in resilient farming practices. It will bring over 121,000 hectares under climate-resilient management, benefiting 2 million people, half of them women, and creating jobs for internally displaced persons.
Beyond direct benefits, the project promotes sustainable development by working with Iraqi ministries and universities to integrate climate-resilient practices into agricultural policy, scaling adaptation efforts across Iraq and the region.
