Kathmandu, October 25, 2026 - The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) has secured approval of a second climate adaptation project concept note from the Adaptation Fund, marking another important step towards strengthening climate resilience, restoring ecosystems and supporting vulnerable communities in Nepal.
The project concept note was approved at the 47th meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board in Bonn, Germany. Titled “GREEN-Koshi: Grounding Resilience and Ecosystem Enhancement through Nature-based Solutions,” the proposed initiative seeks USD 9.928 million in funding to address growing climate risks in Koshi Province through ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient livelihoods and community-based adaptation.
The initiative aims to promote nature-based solutions that help communities adapt to climate change while protecting fragile ecosystems and creating sustainable economic opportunities. By integrating environmental conservation with local development, the project seeks to strengthen the resilience of both people and the landscapes on which their livelihoods depend.
Five Priority Areas for Climate Resilience
The proposed GREEN-Koshi project will focus on five interconnected areas to address climate vulnerabilities and promote sustainable development.
Watershed and ecosystem restoration: The project will support integrated watershed management, wetland restoration and nature-based tourism to strengthen ecosystem health and improve the resilience of natural landscapes.
Climate-resilient agriculture: Agroforestry promotion and measures to mitigate human-elephant conflict will help support sustainable agricultural practices and reduce pressures on local communities and wildlife.
Sustainable livelihoods: Enterprise development and stronger value chains are expected to expand local economic opportunities and help communities build more resilient livelihoods in the face of climate-related challenges.
Community resilience: The initiative will strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of communities and relevant institutions, including through improved early warning systems to help people prepare for climate-related hazards.
Policy integration: Nature-based solutions will be promoted within national, provincial and local policies, plans and programmes to support their long-term implementation and wider adoption.
NTNC to Lead Implementation Following Project Development
NTNC, Nepal’s National Implementing Entity to the Adaptation Fund, will lead the project following the completion of project development. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE) and NTNC will serve as executing entities, with Landscape Alliance identified as a key executing partner.
The proposed funding of USD 9.928 million represents a significant opportunity to advance locally relevant climate adaptation measures in Koshi Province. However, approval of the concept note marks a step in the project development process and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the full funding has already been disbursed.
Building on Earlier Climate Adaptation Efforts
The latest approval builds on NTNC’s expanding engagement with the Adaptation Fund. Earlier in 2026, the Fund’s Board also approved NTNC’s first project concept note, titled “Empowering Local Climate Action: A Locally Led Adaptation Initiative for Resilience in the Bagmati and Madhesh Provinces of Nepal.”
The proposed USD 5 million initiative is currently undergoing the development of a full funding proposal. It aims to empower local governments and communities to take a leading role in climate adaptation planning and implementation.
Together, the two proposed initiatives could help strengthen locally led climate action across several provinces of Nepal by linking international climate finance with ecosystem protection, community participation and sustainable livelihoods.
Nature-Based Solutions and the Future of Climate Adaptation in Nepal
Nepal is increasingly exposed to climate-related risks, including floods, landslides, droughts, changing rainfall patterns and other hazards that threaten communities, infrastructure, agriculture and biodiversity. These challenges highlight the importance of adaptation approaches that address both environmental vulnerabilities and the socioeconomic needs of people on the frontlines of climate change.
Nature-based solutions can contribute to climate resilience by restoring degraded ecosystems, improving watershed management, conserving biodiversity and supporting livelihoods that depend on healthy natural resources. Their effectiveness, however, depends on locally appropriate planning, meaningful community participation, adequate financing and sustained implementation.
For Nepal, the GREEN-Koshi initiative represents a potential opportunity to translate international climate finance into practical action on the ground. Its success will ultimately depend on how effectively the proposed interventions are developed, financed and implemented in partnership with local governments and vulnerable communities.
As the country continues to confront mounting climate risks, initiatives that connect ecosystem restoration, community empowerment and sustainable development will be increasingly important in building a more climate-resilient future.
Investing in nature and empowering communities are essential steps towards a climate-resilient Nepal.
Source: National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC).
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