LocationsUNDP, GEF-Small Grants Program partner with CSOs, CBOs and the government to enhance resilience of remote, highland communities in the face of climate change.
As climate change warms up Bhutan’s mountains, local communities lead the charge on climate action
May 22, 2025
Bhutan’s remote, highland communities, spread across its northern border, are increasingly feeling the impact of warming global temperatures. From fast-melting glaciers, magnifying the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, to biodiversity loss, growing human-wildlife conflict, declining livelihood opportunities, pastoral land degradation affecting livestock production, and more, climate change is impacting all aspects of their lives and livelihoods.
UNDP Resident Representative Mohammad Younus handed over the signed grant agreements to seven grantees from CSOs and CBOs on 21 May 2025.
UNDP Bhutan/ Karma Jamtsho
Stepping up efforts to enhance their resilience, two Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and five Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) will work with the highland communities in Bumthang (Choekhor and Chumey), Gasa (Laya), Trashigang (Merak and Sakteng) and Thimphu (Soe) to not only address some of the most pressing climate-induced challenges but also introduce initiatives that will help combat climate change.
Backed by UNDP and GEF-Small Grants Programme (SGP) in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan and US$ 285,000 grant support from the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) Phase 4, the projects are designed to enable highland communities to be at the front and centre of the interventions.
Launched in 2011 as a flagship programme of the Satoyama Initiative, COMDEKS is a global effort to promote the sustainable use of natural resources in landscapes and seascapes with local communities whose livelihoods and cultural heritage depend on them. It provides small-scale finance through SGP directly to local communities, Indigenous Peoples and civil society to implement locally-led projects that improve livelihoods and well-being, conserve biodiversity, address climate change, build resilience and support local cultures and traditional practices. Launched in 2022, COMDEKS Phase 4 is funded by the Ministry of the Environment Japan and the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund, and is implemented by the SGP.
Sonam Rinchen is one of the grantees. He leads the Soe Eco-Tourism Youth Group. As someone born and raised in Soe, a highland community in Thimphu, he understands the importance of engaging communities in initiatives that target them.
“We are excited and grateful to receive this grant, which provides us with a platform to play a key role in community development,” Sonam said.
“Jomolhari in Soe is a famous trekking destination and is part of the famous Snowmen trek, known to be one of the world’s most adventurous and beautiful trekking routes. However, it lacks basic amenities, which we are happy we will be able to address through this grant and pave the way for community-led sustainable eco-tourism.”
Sonam Rinchen of Soe Eco-Tourism Youth Group recieved the signed grant agreement from Mohammad Younus, Resident Representative, UNDP
UNDP Bhutan/ Karma Jamtsho
Besides youth-led tourism initiatives, the seven projects will protect water sources, tackle waste management through a circular economy approach, restore degraded pastureland, promote youth entrepreneurship opportunities address human-wildlife conflict.
UNDP Resident Representative Mohammad Younus with Executive Director of Tarayana Foundation, Sonam Pem
UNDP/Karma Jamtsho
Tarayana Foundation, a CSO dedicated towards the transformation of rural communities across Bhutan, is another grantee. Through the grant support, the foundation will work with Naro Gewog in Thimphu to protect the community's fragile mountain ecosystem and enhance sustainable livelihoods. "This project marks a transformative milestone, not only in preserving the fragile mountain landscapes of Naro Gewog, but also in revitalising community identity and opening new pathways for economic opportunity among nomadic herders," said Sonam Pem, Executive Director of Tarayana Foundation.
Diversification of high-value, organic products, including honey, is another initiative being supported through this grant. This aligns with Bhutan’s goals to transform its honey sector into an inclusive, sustainable and globally recognised apiculture industry, producing premium quality, natural products for high-end export markets.
All seven projects will be implemented over the next 14 months.
For more information, please contact:
Dechen Wangmo, Communications and Partnerships Analyst, Email: dechen.wangmo@undp.org
