IFAD approves $51.4m for climate-resilient project in Bangladesh

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has approved $51.4 million in co-financing for a $211.7 million project in Bangladesh aimed at strengthening climate resilience, food security, and rural entrepreneurship for about 1.1 million people in climate-vulnerable regions.

The Growth for Climate Resilient and Environmental Entrepreneurship and Nutrition (GREEN) project will run from 2026 to 2031 across the Haor wetlands, Coastal Belt, High Barind, and River Char regions. It will support smallholder farmers, rural microenterprises, and young entrepreneurs, fostering adaptive capacities, diversified livelihoods, and sustainable rural enterprises.

The project will be executed by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance and implemented by the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), with strategic oversight from a national steering committee including the Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, and PKSF.

Valantine Achancho, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh, said, “The GREEN project connects climate adaptation, agroecological practices, and market-responsive rural enterprises to create pathways for rural communities to prosper while protecting ecosystems.”

The project will introduce climate-smart practices in crops, livestock, and fisheries, promote renewable energy solutions, improve water-use efficiency, support organic farming, and develop small-scale processing to raise productivity, conserve resources, and improve nutrition.

Through PKSF’s nationwide network, GREEN will expand access to climate-informed financial services for women, youth, and microenterprises, helping small producers adopt sustainable technologies, strengthen value chains, and generate rural employment.

The initiative also aims to strengthen institutional capacity and policy engagement, integrating climate adaptation, nutrition, and gender equality into rural finance and development planning.

GREEN will directly support Bangladesh’s 8th Five-Year Plan, National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions, and Delta Plan 2100, while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Climate Action.

This investment reflects IFAD’s broader commitment to building climate-resilient food systems and inclusive rural economies across Asia and the Pacific.