Gender-Responsive Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Transforming Cesar's Sustainable Future

This project addresses climate vulnerability and economic challenges particularly for women and youth by enhancing rural livelihoods and fostering climate-resilient communities through ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) solutions promoting job creation food security and environmental conservation. Project activities include: (1) strengthening the institutional capacity of local governments and other key stakeholders through technical assistance to manage climate risks and implement adaptation measures based on gender-responsive climate policies and multi-level governance mechanisms that include active participation from local communities particularly women and youth; (2) collaborating with financial institutions to develop innovative credit enhancement mechanisms that facilitate access to financing for EbA interventions particularly climate-smart agriculture multifunctional restoration and sustainable food systems; and (3) providing women and youth-led micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the financial resources needed to adopt climate-resilient practices and scale up their operations. These efforts aim to transform the department of Cesar into a model of sustainable climate-resilient and inclusive economic growth supporting Colombia's transition to a post-fossil fuel economy.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased implementation of gender-responsive policies for climate-positive adaptation by national and subnational governments; (2) enhanced adaptation of gender-responsive EbA solutions by women and youth-led organizations MSMEs and communities; and (3) increased access to finance to implement EbA and climate-resilient agriculture solutions by women and youth-led organizations and MSMEs for nature-positive climate change adaptation.