Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for Reducing Community Vulnerability to Climate Change in Northern Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Coastal and marine environments play a key role for the communities that live in the Micronesian archipelago. The communities rely heavily on the rich biodiversity of the ecosystems that are found along the coasts for food security, which also function as protection from climate change impacts. However, these climate impacts are becoming more frequent and intense. The funding for conservation projects and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches (EbA) needs to be scaled up to adequately prepare for the worsening effects of climate change.   By establishing small-grant facilities in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, the project intends to finance and scale up locally-led EbA initiatives. This will be done to enable local environmental groups to plan, design, and implement EbA projects in the 3 Pacific countries, while encouraging the active participation of women beneficiaries. The project will also have a paradigm shifting potential as vulnerable communities in hard-to-reach regions will be able to lead climate action locally by employing best EbA practices and locally relevant knowledge. GCF's Project Preparation Facility (PPF) resources and support were deployed to help the Accredited Entity develop the project.