Nepal’s economy and food security are deeply dependent on agriculture, yet climate change–induced water stress—erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods—continues to undermine agricultural productivity and community resilience. Despite strong national policy commitments under the Climate Change Policy (2019), National Adaptation Plan (2021–2050), and NDC 3.0, Nepal has been unable to fully leverage international climate finance for water-resilient irrigation and water management systems. This project addresses a critical gap by examining why water-focused climate finance proposals, particularly to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), remain limited and how Nepal can better position itself to access these resources. The project analyses climate finance opportunities, institutional readiness, and international best practices to strengthen enabling conditions for climate-resilient water management in Nepal. The findings will support the development of bankable, water-focused climate finance concepts that align national priorities with global financing windows.
Objectives:
The overall objective of this project is to generate evidence-based insights and strategic directions to support the Government of Nepal in strengthening its readiness to develop and access water-focused climate finance, particularly through mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), GEF, and related international windows, with a focus on climate-resilient irrigation and water resource management. The study specifically aims to:
