CLIMADAPT is a US$ 10 million credit line programme

The EBRD and its partners are awarding the best climate resilience projects financed in Tajikistan through the Climate Resilience Financing Facility CLIMADAPT programme.

Launched in February 2016, CLIMADAPT is a US$ 10 million credit line programme and pilot initiative to facilitate access to climate resilience technologies improving the use of water, energy and land resources in Tajikistan. The credit line is operated through Tajik banks and microfinance institutions for on-lending to final beneficiaries. Partners in the programme include the government of Tajikistan, the Climate Investment Funds and the United Kingdom.

The CLIMADAPT Awards Ceremony in Dushanbe today is recognising some of the best commercial decisions to improve the resilience and competitiveness of Tajik businesses. More than 30 beneficiaries are being awarded at the ceremony for their efforts in promoting climate resilience value chains and for demonstrating the business case for investing in high performance technologies.

Among the winners are men and women who have adopted innovative water- and energy-efficient technologies such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting and water storage, solar panels and energy-efficient cold-storage facilities.

Azimhuja Haidarov, local supplier and one of the awardees, said: "Through CLIMADAPT I was able to learn about the benefits of the efficient irrigation systems. Earlier this year I decided to take a loan to expand the irrigation product offerings in my store in order to support the availability of the irrigation equipment in my region. Within a few months sales volumes of those pipes, tubes, and fittings increased substantially and the demand from local farmers is growing. I am grateful for the support I have received from CLIMADAPT and very proud that my investment has been recognised during the award ceremony.”

In addition to the businesses that received financing through the CLIMADAPT credit line, awards and recognition for successful implementation are given to representatives of the programme’s partner banks which have demonstrated compelling examples of championing climate resilience financing and structuring successful investments, often in very remote areas of Tajikistan.

Special awards are given to CLIMADAPT partner organisations in acknowledgement of their outstanding contribution to, and support for, promoting and implementing climate resilience technologies.

Neil McKain, EBRD Director for Central Asia, said: “CLIMADAPT is an example of a very successful partnership established between the EBRD and financial institutions to promote the building of climate resilience through the private sector in Tajikistan. We look forward to further supporting – together with our partners – green activities that contribute to adaptation and the competitiveness of Tajik businesses.”

Ayten Rustamova, EBRD Head of Office in Tajikistan, said: “As of 1 October 2017 we have disbursed almost US$ 6 million to more than 2,250 households, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises under CLIMADAPT. The programme not only helps Tajik households and businesses to cope with the effects of climate change but also, and more importantly, supports the country’s transition towards a green economy.”

The Climadapt facility was launched by the EBRD together with the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). Technical assistance within the programme is financed by donor funds from the government of the United Kingdom and from the multi-donor EBRD Early Transition Countries Fund.*

Anne Kuriakose, Senior Social Development Specialist at the Climate Investment Funds, said: “CLIMADAPT is one of the most innovative projects supported by the CIF’s Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience. The EBRD partnership with local banks and microfinance institutions to provide greater access to green technologies is an example of how women and men can be supported effectively to cope with the impacts of climate change. We are delighted to see so many local climate-resilient investments from across Tajikistan being recognized today for their significant impacts.”

To date, the EBRD’s programme of financing facilities has been expanded to 127 partner financial institutions in 25 countries.

In Tajikistan the EBRD has so far invested about €600 million (US$ 700 million equivalent) into various sectors of the economy.  

* The Early Transition Countries Fund is a multi-donor vehicle whose contributors include: Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taipei China and the United Kingdom.