The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved funding for two major projects worth over USD 130 million, aiming to strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable development in Kenya and Serbia. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), these initiatives will help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change, improve livelihoods, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
During the 41st meeting of the GCF Board in Songdo, Republic of Korea, FAO Director Kaveh Zahedi highlighted the significance of this decision, emphasizing FAO’s role in expanding access to climate finance. The projects in Kenya and Serbia will focus on sustainable agriculture and forestry management, addressing climate challenges in both nations.
In Kenya, a $50 million project will transform agricultural value chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, benefiting 2.7 million people, with half of them being women. Agriculture is the backbone of this region, yet climate change has caused rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and frequent floods, threatening food security. The initiative, supported by FAO, the Kenyan government, Agriterra, and Denmark, will promote climate-smart practices across six value chains: dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and African leafy vegetables.
Kenyan farmers will receive training and support to adopt sustainable technologies, enhancing resilience and increasing household incomes. The project also aims to create 3,000 jobs and promote sustainable land management on 30,000 hectares. By working closely with cooperatives and financial institutions, farmers will gain better access to markets and funding, setting the stage for long-term agricultural sustainability.
Meanwhile, in Serbia, an $84 million project will improve forest resilience, ensuring energy security and supporting the livelihoods of 3.6 million people, over half the country's population. This marks Serbia’s first single-country GCF investment, developed in partnership with the Serbian government, the Ministry of Agriculture, and public enterprises Srbijašume and Vojvodinašume.
Serbia’s forests face significant pressure, as nearly 40 percent of the population depends on fuelwood for energy. To address this, the project will focus on afforestation, restoring degraded forests, and promoting climate-adaptive forestry management. It will also involve private sector participation in sustainable biomass value chains and mobilize $50 million in private finance for decarbonizing agribusinesses.
Additionally, over 4,250 individuals will receive training, and national curricula will be updated to benefit 10,000 students. This initiative aims to enhance climate resilience while securing sustainable energy sources, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for Serbia.
