Ministry of Agriculture, Lebanon – 13 October 2026 – The Ministry of Agriculture, the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the World Bank, today launched the Climate-Smart Matching Grants Facility, a new initiative designed to help farmers, agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ associations invest in more productive, resilient and sustainable agriculture.

The launch brought together H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture; Eng. Mohammad Ali Kabbani, President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction; Ms. Mai Ibrahim, representing the Managing Director of the World Bank Group; and Thair Shraideh, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Lebanon, alongside representatives of government institutions, development partners and stakeholders from Lebanon’s agricultural sector.

Through the new facility, eligible beneficiaries can apply for climate-smart grants ranging from US$500 to US$5,000 for individual farmers and from US$10,000 to US$35,000 for agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ associations. The grants will support investments in efficient irrigation systems, renewable energy, greenhouses, agricultural machinery and equipment, storage and post-harvest facilities, processing equipment, and other climate-smart solutions and technologies. In addition to financial support, selected beneficiaries will receive training and assistance in developing business plans to help ensure the sustainability and impact of their investments.

H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture, said: “We see these grants as a direct investment tool to support farmers, agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ associations, helping them reduce production costs, improve water and energy use, restore some of their damaged productive capacity, and develop more efficient and sustainable investments. Most importantly, financing will not be provided in isolation from capacity development and technical assistance. It will be complemented by training, guidance and business planning, as well as support in building sustainable links with markets and buyers. Our goal is to translate financing into better production, lower costs, higher incomes, and a stronger capacity to withstand challenges and sustain agricultural activities.”

Eng. Mohammad Ali Kabbani, President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, stressed: “The launch of the Climate-Smart Matching Grants Facility marks an important milestone in moving the GATE project from planning to actual implementation. We see these grants not as short-term financial assistance, but as an investment in the future of the agricultural sector and in strengthening its ability to meet emerging challenges. The success of this initiative will not be measured solely by the number of grants awarded, but by the tangible difference they make in the lives of farmers, cooperatives and agricultural associations, by ensuring transparent access to opportunities and contributing to economic recovery and sustainable development.”

Ms. Mai Ibrahim, representing the Managing Director of the World Bank Group, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating: “The launch of agricultural grants under the World Bank-funded GATE project marks an important step from preparation to implementation, helping support the recovery and sustainable growth of Lebanon’s agricultural sector following the significant challenges it has faced as a result of successive crises and conflicts.” She commended the resilience of farmers and agricultural cooperatives and their essential role in strengthening food security, stressing the importance of accelerating project implementation and delivering tangible results as soon as possible. She also reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued support for Lebanon, including through periods of crisis, as it has done over the years.

Thair Shraideh, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Lebanon, said: “This facility comes at a critical time for the recovery of Lebanon’s agricultural sector, helping farmers and cooperatives restore their productive capacity while investing in solutions that are more efficient, sustainable and better able to adapt to climate and economic challenges. Through our partnership with the Council for Development and Reconstruction, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate General of Cooperatives, and with funding from the World Bank, we are working to turn grants into productive and sustainable investments that strengthen livelihoods and drive local economic recovery.”

The facility falls under the Green Agri-food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE) project, a Government of Lebanon initiative funded by the World Bank that aims to strengthen the resilience of farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Lebanon’s agri-food sector.

The overall GATE project is financed through a US$200 million loan from the World Bank. The component implemented by UNDP, in coordination with CDR, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate General of Cooperatives, amounts to US$20 million and is dedicated to grants and technical assistance for eligible farmers, agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ associations.

The initiative seeks to address key challenges facing Lebanon’s agricultural sector, including limited access to finance, rising production and energy costs, water scarcity, and increasing climate-related risks. By supporting climate-smart investments and strengthening farmers’ capacities, the facility will contribute to a more resilient, productive and competitive agricultural sector.

Applications

Eligible applicants can review the eligibility criteria and submit their applications through:

Application link: https://www.undp.org/lebanon/grants 

Application deadline: 3 November 2026

Background: 

GATE is financed through a World Bank loan to the Lebanese Republic and implemented by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) on behalf of the Government of Lebanon. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the General Directorate of Cooperatives (GDC) provide technical leadership and oversight for the Climate-Smart Matching Grants component, while UNDP provides implementation support.