Finance from the world’s two biggest climate funds is not reaching a cohort of people on the front lines of climate change who are among the least equipped to adapt to it: smallholder farmers.
That’s according to an analysis of the funds’ spending by Climate Focus. It examined 40 climate and biodiversity projects by the Global Environment Facility, or GEF, and the Green Climate Fund, or GCF, in the agriculture and land-use sector between 2019 and 2022. It found that small-scale farmers and their organizations are routinely shut out of decision-making and have little, if any, direct access to the finance.
The study, titled “Money well spent?” identified many barriers to finance for small farmers and grassroots groups. Most funding applications for GEF and GCF must be submitted by, or in partnership with, accredited organizations such as multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, or international NGOs, and also require approval from host country governments. As a result, the projects rarely reflect the needs and priorities of farmers. Further, applying for accreditation — a requirement before organizations may spend any funds — and funding can come with onerous and complex requirements that are nearly impossible for small groups to fulfill.
About the author
Tania Karas@TaniaKaras
Tania Karas is a Senior Editor at Devex, where she edits coverage on global development and humanitarian aid in the Americas. Previously, she managed the digital team for The World, where she oversaw content production for the website, podcast, newsletter, and social media platforms. Tania also spent three years as a foreign correspondent in Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon, covering the Syrian refugee crisis and European politics. She started her career as a staff reporter for the New York Law Journal, covering immigration and access to justice.
