DHAKA, Dec 13, 2025 (BSS) – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has approved $51.4 million in co-financing for a $211.7 million project in Bangladesh to boost climate-resilient and inclusive rural growth, benefiting around 1.1 million people in highly vulnerable regions.

The approval was given at IFAD’s 146th Executive Board session held on 9–10 December 2025, said a press release here today.  

The six-year Growth for Climate Resilient and Environmental Entrepreneurship and Nutrition (GREEN) project, to be implemented from 2026 to 2031, will focus on the Haor wetlands, Coastal Belt, High Barind and River Char regions. 

It aims to strengthen food security, enhance climate adaptation and promote rural entrepreneurship.

Executed by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance and implemented by Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), the project will operate under a national steering committee comprising the Finance Division, Economic Relations Division and PKSF to ensure strategic oversight and alignment with national priorities.

“The GREEN project builds on the long-standing partnership between IFAD and the government of Bangladesh, and our close collaboration with PKSF, to enhance rural livelihoods and expand income opportunities for small producers through inclusive, climate-aware financing and environmentally responsible growth,” said Valantine Achancho, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh.

“This initiative represents a new generation of investment that connects climate adaptation, agroecological practices and market-responsive rural enterprises to create pathways for rural communities to prosper while safeguarding their ecosystems,” he added.

The project will expand climate-smart practices across crops, livestock and fisheries, introduce renewable energy technologies, promote efficient water use, support organic farming and strengthen small-scale processing to raise productivity while conserving natural resources.

PKSF’s nationwide network will help expand access to affordable, climate-informed financial services for women, youth and rural microenterprises, supporting sustainable technology adoption, value chain development and rural job creation.

GREEN will also boost institutional capacity and support policy integration of climate adaptation, nutrition and gender equality, working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The initiative will directly advance the government’s 8th Five-Year Plan, National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions and Delta Plan 2100, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals on poverty, hunger, gender equality, reduced inequalities and climate action.

IFAD said the investment reflects its broader commitment to strengthening climate-resilient food systems and inclusive rural economies across the Asia-Pacific region.