Brief information about the GCF-UNDP impact and plans. 

Since its launch in March 2020, the GCF-UNDP project has achieved wide-scale reach across six priority municipalities. Since 2020-2024, the GCF-UNDP project has successfully delivered 42 climate-resilient infrastructure projects:

• The project has successfully improved 22 rural road projects, spanning a total of 141,670 kilometers in six municipalities.
• It has also upgraded eight water supply systems, delivering 1,200 cubic meters of water to 2,532 communities by rehabilitating 54,700 meters of water pipelines and stabilizing 255 water sources for efficient use.
• Additionally, ten irrigation systems have been implemented, allowing for the irrigation of 2,004 hectares of land and the rehabilitation of 36,520 kilometers of drainage canals, benefiting 13,909 people.

This work is being implemented with strong collaboration from key government entities, including the Ministry of State Administration (MSA), the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), the National Authority for Land and Property (ANLA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MALFF), and the Secretary of State for Civil Protection. These partnerships ensure that infrastructure design and climate adaptation strategies are aligned with national development priorities.

Furthermore, the project as part of tits catchment management activities has planted 206 ha of agroforestry lands, benefiting 720 people (52% women), with 479,112 seedlings planted, 59 training sessions held, and 101 beneficiaries (54% women) trained in value chain management.

Climate Information Systems

To enhance disaster preparedness and real-time risk management, the project has established two groundbreaking digital systems:

• MapStore – This innovative web-based geospatial application, housed within the Civil Protection Authority, allows users to view, analyze, and interact with hazard maps and comprehensive dashboards. By consolidating multiple data layers into a single, user-friendly platform, MapStore supports climate risk profiling, vulnerability mapping, and informed decision-making for planners and emergency responders.

• Timor Emergency Response System (TERS) is a centralized platform designed for reporting and tracking disaster-related loss and damage. It includes both mobile and web applications, enabling civil protection personnel to efficiently gather and verify data in the field. Developed using open-source software, TERS minimizes operating costs and significantly enhances response coordination and the documentation of disaster impacts.

Together, these systems form the digital backbone for climate risk governance in Timor-Leste.

Capacity Building for Long-Term Resilience

Human resource development is a cornerstone of the project’s long-term sustainability strategy. The initiative has delivered high-impact training and learning activities to strengthen national and municipal systems:

• 119 engineers trained in rural infrastructure, bioengineering, and environmental safeguards
• 120 government officials trained in climate risk data collection and analysis, with 50% women and 5% persons with disabilities
• 479 online courses completed through Coursera, involving 2,504 videos, 862 assessments, and 1,046 readings
• 8 courses translated into Tetum and Portuguese to enhance accessibility and localization
• 13 national and municipal workshops delivered on disaster loss estimation, risk reporting, and resilience planning
• 95 staff trained on the use of the TERS system for disaster assessment and response

These activities have strengthened national data systems across five sectors and indirectly improved services for over 1 million citizens.

A Pathway to Resilience

As climate risks intensify in Timor-Leste, the GCF-UNDP project is laying the foundation for stronger, more self-reliant communities. By constructing resilient infrastructure, introducing advanced digital systems, environmental restoration, and capacity building, the project is creating a holistic framework for long-term adaptation and inclusive development.

This initiative also supports the Sustainable Development Goals: 

SDG 15 – Life on Land (Target 15.1) Conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of dryland ecosystems enhanced over 2004 hectares.

• (Target 15.3) Land degradation addressed through agroforestry, soil and water conservation, and afforestation measures introduced over 206 ha (including afforestation of the slope lands) to restore degraded land and soil and strive to achieve land degradation neutrality.

SDG1

• (Target 1.2) Incomes of 13,909 people increased (by between 30 and 79%) as a result of improved land productivity due to the use of efficient irrigation systems, cultivation of high-value crops, improved livestock breeding, and other SLM measures

• (Target 1.3) Access to economic infrastructure through reconstruction of 22 rural road projects, spanning a total of 141,670 kilometers in six municipalities and created access to the resources facilitated for the poor and vulnerable (especially previously displaced people and women) through job creation on sustainably managed farms (117 family farms throughout of the district with total restored abandoned area of land 2004 ha created a job for 221 (seasonal workers) and 93 (permanent (local residents)) and through recruitment of (1131) local residents (mostly women) to work in forest nurseries and land restoration projects. 

SDG 3 

• (Target 3.9) The well-being and health of more than 2532 people improved due to a reduction of hazardous contaminants in the air, soil, and water achieved through improved land cover and a shift to organic farming that does not use chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

SDG 6   

• (Target 6.4) Water scarcity was addressed, access to water improved, and water efficiency improved through the reconstruction of eight water supply systems. 1,200 cubic meters of water were delivered to 2,532 communities by rehabilitating 54,700 meters of water pipelines and stabilizing 255 water sources for efficient use.     

SDG 13 – Climate Action 

• (Target 13.1) Green zones established through bioengineering plantations to protect villages from moving slopes and lands, thus building community resilience, adaptive capacity, and reducing exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards and natural disasters 

This project demonstrates the power of integrated, inclusive, and data-informed approaches to resilience by aligning with global development priorities and addressing Timor-Leste's unique climate vulnerabilities.

In 2025, upon endorsement of the project work plans, the UNDP-GCF projects will implement 24 transformative infrastructure ventures. These initiatives include:

• The irrigation system to enhance agricultural productivity over an expansive 94 hectares through local farming practices.

• Effective flood protection projects to safeguard 8 vulnerable Aldea communities in Aileu and Lautem Municipalities will provide lasting security against natural calamities.

• Rehabilitated ten pure water supply projects to an extensive 21,530-meter pipeline to ensure a reliable delivery of 500 cubic meters of water, improving the lives of 451 community members.

• Reconstruct 2,340 kilometers of rural roads, directly enhancing access and economic opportunities for 6,166 community members.

These ambitious efforts are integral parts of a comprehensive mission to elevate climate resilience and infrastructure in Timor-Leste, underscoring our unwavering commitment to building stronger, safer, and more connected rural communities.