OSS secures US$25.4 million from the Adaptation Fund to advance climate resilience in Chad, Togo and Burundi

US$25.25 million approved for ECOVERSE in Chad and Togo, alongside US$150,000 to prepare a climate adaptation project for smallholder farmers in Burundi.

The Sahara and Sahel Observatory, through the work of its Project Development and Strategic Partnerships Department, in collaboration with participating countries and partners, has secured Adaptation Fund support totalling US$25.4 million to advance climate resilience in Chad, Togo and Burundi.

The approvals follow the 47^th meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board, held in Bonn, Germany, from 19 to 23 October 2026. They comprise US$25.25 million for the implementation of the regional ECOVERSE project in Chad and Togo, and a US$150,000 Project Formulation Grant (PFG) for Burundi.

Enhancing Community Resilience to Climate Extremes Across Diverse African Landscapes in Chad and Togo (ECOVERSE), will support an integrated approach to to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen their capacity to adapt. Its interventions bring together climate-resilient infrastructure, agriculture and food security, water management, ecosystem restoration and resilient livelihoods.

By connecting these priorities, ECOVERSE aims to help communities better withstand climate shocks while safeguarding the natural resources and productive systems on which they depend. Community participation, capacity development and inclusive access to adaptation opportunities will underpin the project’s approach, with attention to women, young people and vulnerable groups.

In Burundi, the PFG will support the preparation of the full proposal entitled Strengthening resilience to extreme weather events, drought and flooding, for smallholder farmers in the rural regions of Burundi. The proposed initiative focuses on strengthening agricultural resilience and food security through ecosystem-based adaptation, improved climate-risk management and diversified rural livelihoods.

The formulation phase will enable further consultations, technical assessments and detailed project design, including environmental, social and gender considerations. It represents an important step towards a full proposal to be submitted to the Adaptation Fund Board.

These achievements reflect OSS’s continued work to translate country priorities into technically sound adaptation proposals and improve African countries’ access to climate finance. They also demonstrate the importance of sustained collaboration between national institutions, technical partners and the OSS project development team.

As the Adaptation Fund’s Regional Implementing Entity, OSS will support participating countries and executing partners in advancing these initiatives, with a focus on accountable delivery, country ownership and lasting benefits for climate-vulnerable communities.

OSS thanks the Adaptation Fund Board and Secretariat, the authorities of Chad, Togo and Burundi, and all partners involved in developing the proposals. The organization remains committed to expanding partnerships that turn climate finance into practical improvements in infrastructure, food security, ecosystems and livelihoods across Africa.