Siena:A new Climate-Smart Matching Grants Facility has been launched by Lebanon's Ministry of Agriculture, the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the World Bank. This initiative aims to assist farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and farmers' associations in investing in sustainable agricultural practices.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, the facility offers grants ranging from US$500 to US$5,000 for individual farmers and from US$10,000 to US$35,000 for cooperatives and associations. The grants will support investments in areas such as efficient irrigation, renewable energy, greenhouses, and other climate-smart technologies. Additionally, beneficiaries will receive training and assistance in business planning to ensure investment sustainability.

The Climate-Smart Matching Grants Facility is part of the Green Agri-food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE) project, funded by a US$200 million World Bank loan. The project aims to enhance the resilience of Lebanon's agri-food sector by addressing challenges like limited access to finance, rising costs, and climate risks. The initiative seeks to foster a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector through climate-smart investments.

Eligible applicants can review the criteria and apply for the grants online, with applications due by November 3, 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture and the General Directorate of Cooperatives provide technical oversight, while the UNDP supports implementation.