DILI, 18 december 2024 (TATOLI) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Timor-Leste signed grant agreements of up to $16.6 million on 18 December 2024 to help improve climate resilience, water and food security, and livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
The US$16.6 million project is funded by a $6 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, a $4.59 million grant from the Global Environment Facility, a $3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, a $2.5 million grant from the Community Resilient Partnership Program Trust Fund supported by the Nordic Development Fund and the governments of France and the United Kingdom, and a $500,000 grant from the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States.
The grant agreements for the Rural Resilience and Livelihood Improvement Sector Project were signed at the Ministry of Finance by Minister of Finance Santina Viegas Cardoso and ADB Country Director for Timor-Leste Stefania Dina. The signing ceremony was also attended by Vice Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing Mariano Assanami Sabino and Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste Kimura Tetsuya.
“We are taking vital steps to enhance climate resilience, improve food security, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for our farmers and families” said Vice Prime Minister Assanami at the ceremony. “This project embodies our commitment to building a brighter future for all Timorese people.”
The project will support about 46,000 people in the rural areas of Manatuto municipality that rely predominantly on agriculture, with limited livelihood and income-generating opportunities. The government would work closely with local communities to plan and implement investments in rural infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihood development as well as capacity building. The project will implement solutions that are tailored to meet the specific needs of rural people. The collaboration aims to strengthen resilience and create better economic opportunities for rural communities, ultimately improving their quality of life.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
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