In the community of Ancadjedja, on the island of Bubaque, Edilsia da Silva, 42, begins her day among the vegetable gardens that today represent much more than agricultural production. For her and for other women farmers in the community, the land has become a source of income, security and hope for their families.

For a long time, farming was not easy. Limited access to regular water supply, the exposure of the gardens, and environmental challenges constrained production and made women’s work more difficult. But with the support of the COASTAL Project, implemented with UNDP support, this reality began to change.

The initiative improved access to drinking water, introduced sustainable agricultural practices and strengthened local environmental awareness. The installation of water boreholes and strong fences has enabled women to farm more safely, protect their gardens and increase production.

For Edilsia, these changes have a direct impact on daily life.

With the support of the COASTAL Project, we improved access to water, learned more sustainable agricultural practices, and today we work in our gardens with greater security. With the water boreholes and strong fences, I am able to farm, generate income and better support my family

Edilsia’s story is also the story of many women from vulnerable coastal communities who, through sustainable agriculture, are strengthening their economic autonomy and contributing to the resilience of their communities in the face of climate challenges.

On the island of Bubaque, every cultivated garden is also a sign of transformation: women protecting nature, feeding their families and building a more sustainable future for their community.

With funding from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP is supporting community-led climate action in Guinea-Bissau through the COASTAL Project. The initiative aims to increase the adaptive capacity of vulnerable populations by promoting sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem conservation. Between 2019 and 2025, the project achieved significant results across several coastal and island regions of the country, contributing not only to improved livelihoods, but also to stronger climate resilience and the preservation of Guinea-Bissau’s natural resources for future generations.